#PowerOfAJob: WorkSource teaches justice involved individual to talk about his past and land a new job
Experiencing the power of a job can be elusive for people who have been incarcerated. Some employers are hesitant to hire them, even if applicants are trained and ready to work. WorkSource helps justice involved people hurdle that obstacle in many ways: by connecting them to job training, teaching job-search skills, and coaching them to honestly discuss their past with prospective employers.
This week, Lisa Wright of WorkSource Everett shares how she and her colleagues helped a justice-involved individual clear his personal hurdles and land the job he wanted.
Here is Lisa’s story:
I’m Lisa Wright, one of the career coaches at WorkSource Everett, and I worked with this great job seeker. When he first came to me, he had recently left prison and his criminal history was really holding him back. There was time served, fines involved and even involvement with gangs for a time.
Immediately after getting out of prison, he went to school and trained in manufacturing, focusing on the aerospace industry. He tried to get hired with an aerospace contractor and wasn’t having much luck because of his criminal record. I was able to work with him and I partnered with other WorkSource specialists, one who specializes in working with those with criminal backgrounds. I also worked with the customer’s Department of Social and Health Services case manager and discovered the specifics of what was holding him back and his criminal background. We were able to teach him how to discuss his background and be up-front with potential employers. This made the difference because he was able to find full-time employment in aerospace manufacturing.
It was exciting! His attitude turned a whole 180 degrees. All of the transformation he went through and time he spent looking for work — it was exciting for us to see.
I absolutely encourage anyone who needs to find employment to visit WorkSource. We can tell many stories like this and are happy to do what we can to serve you and help you find a job.
As partners in Washington state’s WorkSource system and the American Job Center Network, the Employment Security Department helps people — unemployed or not — find new jobs and learn new skills. We help them experience the life-changing Power of a Job. Every week, we spotlight a different Power of a Job success story.
