Ex-Offenders

Patron has a criminal record.

• Be friendly and approachable.
  -Help your patron feel comfortable by smiling, making eye contact, and offering assistance.
  
  
• Understand your patron's question.
  -Use open questions, which can't be answered with 'yes' or 'no':
  What type of work are you looking for?
  Would career tests help you select an area of interest?
  -Paraphrase or summarize to be sure you understand the request:
  In other words, you need help writing a resume and cover letter.
  It sounds like you're looking for job search strategies.
  If I understand you correctly, you'd like information about trade schools in the area.
  -Use clarifying questions to generate a choice between options:
  Do you need contact information for enrolling in GED classes?
  Do you need information about employment restrictions?
  -Anticipate potential problems in communicating.
  -Be aware of non-verbal cues and body language.
  -Listen for cues to adjust or refine your understanding of the request.
  
  
• Respect your patron's privacy.
  -Lessen distractions or move to a quiet area for the interview.
  -Maintain objectivity and avoid premature assumptions.
  -Give your patron the time and attention he/she needs.
  
  
• Plan and execute your search strategy.
  -Understand the level and amount of information needed.
  Would you like to stay with online resources, or would you like books to take home, also?
  -Evaluate your patron's learning style, and determine limitations on format or reading level.
  Would you prefer a video about interviewing?
  Would a resource you can use at home be helpful?
  -Ask if your patron has used the source before, and provide instruction on its use.
  Have you used a computer before to find information?
  -Distinguish between advice and information; do not advise on, interpret or apply a decision to a patron's personal situation.
  
  
• Follow up to determine whether your patron is satisfied with the search results.
  -Ask if the question has been answered completely.
  Did you find the information you needed about researching employers/avoiding discrimination/obtaining a degree?
  -Check to see that the answer is understood.
  -Encourage your patron to return to you for help, if needed.

Additional help is available on this website:

Use Ex-offenders to locate employment and support services for ex-offenders.

Use GED Testing Service for information about earning a High School diploma or General Education Diploma.

Use Assessments for career tests, personality-type assessments, and tools for self-discovery.

Use Colleges/Universities to locate colleges locally, within NYS, United States and abroad.

Use Explore Careers to find a career to match an individual's interests, and learn what training is required. Includes Career Zone and Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Use Interviewing for information on preparation and technique, and virtual interviewing practice.

Use Networking to identify strategies for making and using contacts in job-hunting and career transitions.

Use Non-Traditional Ed. to identify alternative methods for expanding your education.

Use Research Employers for company information and tips to research companies online.

Use Resume Help to create excellent resumes and cover letters.

Use Transferable Skills to define transferable skills and learn how they can be used in the job search.

Library Resources:

Lordan, Kathleen. The ex-offender’s job search companion: (getting a good job despite your record) (1997)

Adams, Bob. The everything job interview book: answer the toughest job interview questions with confidence (2001)

Fein, Richard. 101 quick tips for a dynamite resume (1999)

Fein, Richard. 111 dynamite ways to ace your job interview (1997)

Graber, Steven. The everything get-a-job book: from resume writing, to interviewing, to finding tons of job openings (2000)

Kerr, Cherie. Networking skills that will get you the job you want (1999)

Koen, Deb. Career choice, change & challenge: 125 strategies from the experts at careerjournal.com (2000)

Krannich, Ronald. 201 dynamite job search letters: writing right for today’s new job market (2001)

Lussier, Donald. Job search secrets (1998)

Whitcomb, Susan Britton. eResumes:everything you need to know about using electronic resumes to tap into today's job market (2002)

Visit Resources Available at the Library for a categorized listing of available career materials.

Sue Hermans
Central Reference Library Services Coordinator
Poughkeepsie Public Library District