The Riley Guide:Before You Search

Preparing for The World of Work

Entering or Returning to the Workforce
Support and Services for Former Prisoners
Office Etiquette / Coping with Others in the Office
Blogging and Your Job
Budgeting & Personal Financial Planning

These are a few resources intended to help you not only work effectively but to also manage the money you are earning, for now and for your future.

We also have resources for locating Child or Elder Care. Using Employment Kiosks and Online Job Applications, and information on Scams & Schemes in Work and Employment Services.

This Google Custom Search will search this site plus select others that we feel will be helpful to you in your search for job and career information.

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Entering or Returning to the Workforce

Publications from the Wisconsin Job Center

This collection of guides prepared by the job search professionals with the state of Wisconsin covers everything you really need to know about job searching and always wanted to find in an easy-to- read document. They cover Job Readiness (are you ready to search and are you ready to work), Job Search (networking, what employers look for, what if you are turned down), Resume and Applications (avoiding errors, transferable skills, resumes), and Interviewing (hidden elements, informational interviewing, telephone techniques). Many of these guides are available in Spanish, and all can be viewed online in HTML or viewed and printed in PDF format (requires Adobe's free reader.)

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Support and Services for Former Prisoners

Simulated Online/Kiosk Job Application

Created by the National Institute of Corrections Offender Workforce Development Division, this free simulation training software program provides basic information about computerized employment applications, tips for completing online job applications, a printable worksheet that can be used to prepare offenders for using these systems, and a full-length interactive application with context sensitive help. It was designed so "offenders in prisons, jails, parole and probation offices, faith-based agencies, and community-based organizations can use this to practice completing an employment application using a computer that does not have access to the Internet." This is in direct response to the growing practice of electronic applications, either on the Internet or on a location-specific kiosk. Job counselors can download the setup program from this site for free or order a CD-ROM at no cost. A single copy can be used by multiple users (there is an option to erase a person's practice file). I downloaded the program and played with it a bit, and I think those you work with will find it easy to use and extremely helpful. While you are here, browse the many other resources available from the NIC for those working with ex-offenders.

The Ex-Offender's Job Hunting Guide: 10 Steps to a New Life in the World of Work (Impact Publications, 2005)

...written by Ron and Caryl Krannich, this is a marvelous guide for those who have served time in prison and are now coming back into society. (They have other helpful guides listed on their website.) As many of us know, these people have a very difficult time finding employment, but steady employment is exactly what is needed to avoid a backslide. It is not only a guide to finding work, writing the resume, and preparing for interviews and salary negotiations, but it also lists resources and support services for the ex-offender. I heartily recommend this book to job counselors, employment service centers, and anyone who is, who knows, or who works with former felons. And you can utilize the companion website for even more information and resources.

Center for Employment Opportunities

"CEO helps men and women who are under New York State Parole Supervision in New York City, Albany County, Erie County and Westchester County. CEO also works with individuals under the supervision of the New York City Probation in Brooklyn. We also accept other formerly incarcerated people on a case by case basis including individuals under the supervision of Federal or New York City Probation.[...] CEO offers comprehensive employment services exclusively for people with criminal records. CEO's model is based on a highly structured program of pre-employment training, short-term paid transitional employment and full-time job placement and retention services."

Family and Corrections Network

...providing ways for those concerned with families of prisoners to share information and experiences in an atmosphere of mutual respect. The website includes links to numerous local groups offering services and support to the incarcerated and their families during and after their separation.

National H.I.R.E. Network

..."Helping Individuals with Criminal Records Reenter Through Employment." Established by the Legal Action Center, the National HIRE Network is a national clearinghouse for information as well as an advocate for policy change. "The goal of the National H.I.R.E. Network is to increase the number and quality of job opportunities available to people with criminal records by changing public policies, employment practices and public opinion. The National H.I.R.E. Network also provides training and technical assistance to agencies working to improve the employment prospects for people with criminal records." Use the Resources list to find state agencies and local organizations to assist you.

National Transitional Jobs Network

"Transitional Jobs is an employment strategy that seeks to overcome employment barriers and transition people with labor market barriers into work using wage-paid, short-term employment that combines real work, skill development and supportive services. [...] Cities and States are developing TJ programs as part of their city and statewide plans to address poverty, ensure successful reentry of people returning from incarceration, reduce the receipt of public assistance payments, support housing and supportive housing goals, and ensure that local and state workforce development systems work for all. " This site offers information and resources for persons wanting to start such a program, along with a list of currently available Transitional Jobs Programs from across the country.

The Osborne Association

...Based in the greater New York City area, "The Osborne Association operates a broad range of treatment, educational, and vocational services for people involved in the adult criminal and juvenile justice systems, including prisoners and former prisoners, their children, and other family members." Among their many other counseling and treatment services, The Osborne Association offers employment and training services to persons while incarcerated as well as after release.

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Office Etiquette / Coping with Others in the Office

Ask the Workplace Doctors

...a free question and answer forum from communication consultants Dr. William Gorden and Dan West. Submit questions about any aspect of working with others in your office and, if selected, your question and the answer will be posted to the site (anonymously) plus you will receive a personal response via e-mail. Popular topics here include Verbal Abuse, Gossip & Rumors, Music/Noise At Work. Perfumes & Odors, Motivating Employees, Asking For A Raise, and Sexual Harassment. Lots of links to additional resources for workplace issues, and the archive of past questions and answers is searchable.

WorkEtiquette

"Expert Advice on Workplace Conduct..." This site offers many articles with great advice on workplace behavior. General topics include colleague relationships, cultural considerations, outside the office, verbal communication, work etiquette basics, and written communication. Yes, the folks behind this site are based in the UK, but the advice they offer is applicable around the world, or if not everywhere certainly here in the US.

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Blogging and Your Job

FAQ: Blogging on the Job (CNET News.com)

...yes, what you say can hurt you, especially if you are saying something about your current employer, colleagues, or project. And blogging from home on your own time won't necessarily save you. CNET covers some of the truths and misunderstandings of blogging and how it may affect your job.

How to Blog Safely (About Work or Anything Else), Electronic Frontier Foundation

...short article offering suggestions to protect yourself as a blogger. While the EFF supports freedom of speech online, it does suggest you should set some limits on yourself to keep legal problems at bay. It also offers ways to blog anonymously.

We also recommend you look at The Internet as a Job Reference.

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Budgeting & Financial Planning

California Reality Check

...this is a marvelous tool designed to introduce high school students in California to the reality of life and expenses after high school. Despite the fact that it uses labor market and economic data from this state, I believe it is a valuable tool which will get young people thinking about the many expenses they need to consider when it comes time to strike out on their own. It could also benefit folks who have never learned to budget expenses, making sure they consider all the variables and how they can actually reduce expenses. An excellent tool developed by the State of California's Career Resource Network.

Choose to Save

...a campaign by the American Savings Education Council and the Employee Benefit Research Institute to help you plan your retirement savings, figure out if you are ready for retirement, and even teach your children about saving. Try their Ballpark Estimate Retirement Planning Worksheet to get an idea of where you are and where you want to be immediately. They also have an interactive Retirement Personality Profile and a test to help you determine your R3 -- Retirement Readiness Rating. These are primarily saving and investment personality profiles, not monetary assessment tools.

Building Wealth: A Beginner's Guide to Securing Your Financial Future

...from the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, this interactive workbook is an informative introduction to developing a plan to build your personal savings through a combination of budgeting, saving,and investing. It begins with a discussion on setting financial goals, and then explains strategies for keeping track of money, making sure you are saving, handling investing, and controlling debt. A top-notch resource for those just beginning to think about their financial futures. You can use this online guide or print out a PDF copy for yourself.

Mortgage and Financial Calculators

...a collection of simple calculators to help you figure out costs, expenses, and savings needed. These include mortgage calculators, investment calculators, retirement calculators, and how much you need to save in order to send your children to college (scary). They also have a set of Debt/Credit calculators to help you determine how much you really owe, should you consolidate, and other options for paying down your debt. A free service of MortgageLoan.com.

Disaster Recovery: A Guide to Financial Issues

...a guide to help you regain a sense of financial balance after a disaster, which may include a major illness or injury to the principle wage earner or a death in the family. It offers suggestions on what to do immediately (First Days) followed by suggestions on what to do in the next weeks and months (Next Weeks and Months), and finally how to begin planning again for the future (Moving On). Lists of resources and support organizations are also provided. This guide is a public service of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), AICPA Foundation, the American Red Cross, and the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE).

National Foundation for Credit Counseling

...a national non-profit network of 1,450 member Neighborhood Financial Care Centers designed to provide assistance to people dealing with stressful financial situations. Their services include counseling, a Debt Solver Program, Money Management Education, and Homebuyer Education.

Social Security e-news

...sign up now for one or all of a series of free electronic newsletters from the US Social Security Administration (SSA). The monthly newsletters will feature the latest Social Security news for workers and beneficiaries, and topics such as Disability, Law and Regulations, Retirement, Medicare, and others.

Social Security Benefit Planners

..."Social Security benefits can provide much needed support for you and your family when you retire, if you become disabled, and when you die. This web page is designed to help you better understand your Social Security protection as you plan for your financial future." It's a one-stop shop for information on the many benefits the SSA provides, who is eligible for each program, and how to apply. The Retirement section will even take you to several more sites and sources to help you plan for your life after work.

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