How do I present my best self to an employer?

While you can’t control everything about the job search, there are MANY steps you can and should take to improve your chances of being hired for the job you want—whether that means cleaning up your record, finishing school, or learning new skills and getting more experience. This section will explain what you can do before you begin applying for jobs, throughout your job search, and during your application process, to help improve your chances of being hired.

    BEFORE YOU APPLY: 1) Beef up your resume before any new job application, and 2) Clean up your record.
    THROUGHOUT THE JOB SEARCH: Target your job search for jobs that are an appropriate fit for you.
    WHILE APPLYING FOR JOBS:
    Ace the job application,
    Interview well, and
    Understand and explain the benefits to the employer.

Tattoo REMOVAL:My visible tattoos are preventing me from obtaining employment and moving on with my life after incarceration. I’d like them removed. Is there anyone who can help?

Yes. If you are interested in removing your tattoos, there are several organizations in California that offer free or low-cost tattoo removal for people who are having trouble obtaining employment due to visible tattoos, particularly if they are gang-related tattoos. Homeboy Industries in Los Angeles, for example, offers free tattoo removal and a number of other useful services for formerly incarcerated people. Upon your release, you can search for more organizations that provide these services on Jails to Jobs’ website at: http://jailstojobs.org/wordpress/tattoo-removal. For information about employment discrimination due to your tattoos, see PG. 593.