Gather your documents
Identification, Social Security card, work history, certificates, release documents and reliable contact information.
← National Job Services
A fair chance to work and rebuild
Your time was served. Your ability still belongs to you.
Free Local Job & Training Help →Learn how American Job Centers can help with local openings, employer referrals and eligible training.This center is for people returning to employment after incarceration. Begin with organizations that understand the barriers, know fair-chance employers and can help you prepare for the questions that may arise.
Employment and reentry support
Start with people and programs that understand the road back.
Services and eligibility vary by location. National Job Services does not promise that an employer will overlook a conviction or that legal relief will be available. These links provide places to begin.
01
Honest Jobs
Search fair-chance openings from employers that report hiring people with criminal records.
Open resource ↗02Center for Employment Opportunities
Find employment and reentry services for people returning home from incarceration in participating communities.
Open resource ↗03Jails to Jobs
Follow a practical, step-by-step job-search guide covering résumés, interviews, employer research and appearance concerns.
Open resource ↗04DOL Reentry Employment Opportunities
Review the U.S. Department of Labor program supporting employment services for formerly incarcerated adults and justice-involved young people.
Open resource ↗05Bureau of Prisons Reentry Resources
Find federal employment, education, veterans and community-reentry resources for former adults in custody.
Open resource ↗06American Job Centers
Request local job-search help, training referrals and information about reentry providers in your community.
Open resource ↗07National H.I.R.E. Network
Find policy and state-based information intended to improve employment opportunities for people with records.
Open resource ↗08Clean Slate Clearinghouse
Research record-clearing and legal-relief information. Eligibility and procedures vary by state.
Open resource ↗09Federal Bonding Program
Learn about no-cost fidelity bonding that may reduce an employer’s concern when hiring an eligible job seeker.
Open resource ↗10CareerOneStop Reentry Search
Use national career, training, résumé and local workforce resources while building a return-to-work plan.
Open resource ↗A practical return-to-work plan
Take the next useful step.
You do not have to solve everything before beginning. Work through the items that apply to your situation and ask a reentry or workforce professional for help where needed.
Translate your experience
Include legitimate work assignments, training, education, certifications, volunteer service and responsibilities completed while incarcerated.
Practice the background conversation
Answer truthfully, briefly and without unnecessary detail. Then redirect the discussion toward what changed, what you learned and what you can contribute now.
Search fair-chance channels
Use specialized programs, workforce centers and direct employer career pages instead of relying on one general job board.
Ask about legal relief
Record sealing, expungement, certificates of rehabilitation and occupational-licensing rules differ by state. Obtain qualified legal guidance.
Keep building recent proof
Temporary work, apprenticeship, certification, volunteer service and transitional employment can create current references and demonstrate reliability.
Before paying anyone for help
Many public and nonprofit reentry services are free. Confirm fees, refund terms and privacy practices before paying for job placement, résumé services, background-record assistance or legal relief. No organization can guarantee employment or erase a record in every state.