More Resources
…For the formerly incarcerated
Know your rights.
In Portland, it is unlawful for employers to ask about your criminal record before a conditional job offer has been made. They cannot ask you whether you have been convicted of a crime, and they are required to avoid making decisions on any information you disclose yourself.
“If a criminal history is used to make the employment decision, an employer must make a good faith determination that a specific offense or conduct is job-related and consistent with business necessity.”
– Oregon Bureau of Labor & Industries
That said, the job offer can be conditional on a background check and failure can exclude you from employment. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to make sure they know before the background check but after the job offer that you had a felony on your record.
You can send an email or a letter explaining the situation, saying you are genuinely sorry and looking for a fresh start, and clarifying exactly how it does not affect your qualifications for this job, except insofar as you developed skills during your time there. This is important because you want to have the first chance to tell that story. A helpful guide for explaining your felony can be found here (doc).
Employer-by-employer
The best way to find people who hire people with a criminal record is to look for second-chance employers. These can potentially be great opportunities in themselves, or help you get on your feet while you search for other work. Common places to look include construction and trucking companies or warehousing. Networking can help you find these, but the best practice is consistent, thorough searching.
Your resume: Work while incarcerated
You may want to put work you did while incarcerated can on your resume for a number of reasons. It can often prepare you well for the job market. It also helps explain a long gap in your work history. It will look the same as any other entry would:
YOUR JOB TITLE, Institution | date started-date completed
This also helps you cover any major gaps in employment due to incarceration. Again, if you need to discuss it in the interview, make sure to be honest about your conviction, remorseful, and emphasize how you’re dedicated to making positive changes in your life. Talk about technical, teamwork, and problem-solving skills you developed. Keep it very simple and very brief. You control your narrative.
external resources
Of course, you can always reach out to our Workforce Navigator, but there are other people here to help you in Portland. One of the best things you can do for yourself is connect with us directly or with others who have specific knowledge of the local market for ex-offenders.
Resources for Ex-Offenders | SE Works & WorkSource Oregon
Resources for formerly incarcerated Oregonians | Mercy Corps
Job Seeker Services - WorkSource Oregon
…For seniors and older job seekers
After the pandemic, it’s easy to assume that employers will lean more heavily into their bias against older workers because of assumptions that more years=less technological experience. While the younger generation is probably a little more in their element learning software, remember that you are more in your element learning, well, anything else.
This is the biggest thing: you have done more learning over your years of experience than any younger person has had the chance to, and for employers in today’s job market, adaptability is key.
You also likely have a lot more experience building relationships and navigating a workplace, organizing your life (work and non-work), and prioritizing. These types of soft skills are only more valuable in today’s market, as younger job seekers with many technological skills and fewer real-life interpersonal skills enter the workforce.
Boost soft skills on your resume! It is so important to own soft skills. You have a wealth of examples of times these have been used, even if you’ve been out of the workforce for years (or never entered it to begin with)…
…speaking of which, volunteering counts. Neighborhood organizations, cleanups, times you engaged with the civic process—all of these are deeply important to demonstrate your eagerness to engage and learn and grow. Did you write opinion pieces for the newspaper? Organize a block party?
If you’ve been in one industry for several years and after time away have to reenter the workforce, emphasize transferable skills. You’ve been manufacturing steel and now want to work in a hardware store? You’re great at learning and following procedures and hold yourself to exacting standards. Going from being a teacher to managing a food bank? Maybe you’re awesome at listening to people and making their ideas feel valued.
All that said, it’s still a good idea to take some time to do a technology primer, if you can and if you need it. Knowing how to use Microsoft suite or Excel, even if your only exposure is a couple hours over time on a public computer or watching tutorial videos, can assure employers that you’re willing to pick up software needed for the job at hand.
It’s also a good idea to revamp your resume. Current resume guidelines suggest a one-page resume that lists experience gained in the last ten years. (Of course, you would also include something monumental; if you published a bestseller in 1990 or invented Adobe Flash, obviously that’s one for the resume.) Instead of listing every life accomplishment, spend time getting keywords into the skills section. Since a lot of employers will just run the resume through a document reader to see whether you match the qualifications, putting words that match the job description on the resume itself has become more important.
For more resume advice and a usable template, visit our Getting Ready page.
One last word of advice: the Easterseals are specifically invested in helping low-income seniors (over 55) and people with disabilities find work. They provide job training and case management to their clients at no cost. They are absolutely worth a call if you want help getting employment-ready. See their programs list here.
…For people living with disabilities
The Easterseals, is an excellent resource and has a program to provide job training to people with IDD; the United States Government (a major employer of people with disabilities in general that will actively make an effort to hire you); and Multnomah County, which provides services including employment development for adults with IDD.
Here are several broader-umbrella sites that can link you to individualized care and more specific resources:
Entrepreneurship Toolkit for Business Owners with Disabilities.
Illegal Interview Questions that you should be on the lookout for.
NVision: Career Options for the Visually Impaired (Low Vision & Blind).
NVision: Internet Navigation for Individuals with Low Vision or Blindness
Arizona State University: Job Assistance Guide for People with Disabilities.
Employment | Housing Independence
Resources for Job Seekers and Employees with Disabilities (whatcanyoudocampaign.org)
…For the currently houseless
The first and most significant thing you can do for yourself is to investigate transitional housing. It can be hard to maintain a job if you’re hired and remain homeless, especially if you’re struggling with addiction. Depending on your situation, getting sober could be the first thing you need to do. Often these organizations have programs specifically to help their residents get sober and gain stable employment. For example, Central City Concern has a slate of wraparound services that can help you move off the streets.
That said, if this isn’t an option for you, the biggest thing to remember is that, unless you’re referred to them from a shelter or other service for the employment of houseless people, your employer doesn’t know you don’t have a permanent residence. And they don’t need to, unless you want to tell them.
The hardest part of getting a job when you’re homeless is likely the interview. It can be hard to correspond in order to get one, and harder to find a time you can get to the business and look professional.
Set up an email (instructions are in our digital job seeking document), and check it as frequently as possible using a public computer. If you have digital mail, it is less of an issue that you may have intermittent access to a permanent address.
You’ll need an address to put on your documents once you get a job. You also need one to open a bank account so you have someplace safe to store your money. It’s a good idea to ask shelters whether you can use their address as a mailing address, or a nearest relative if they’re available. There are many organizations that offer to receive your mail; for example, JOIN PDX has a program that can provide this. Stop by the shelter with which you are most familiar to see whether they offer this option.
Try to keep a set of nice work clothes in a specific plastic bag so they stay clean and dry.
Before you go into the interview, try to use a shower. If you can’t, wipe yourself down with moist wipes so you are as odor-free as possible.
Clean your nails and your teeth.
Use your best manners and explain how you’re just as qualified as anybody else for the position. (Hint: you are, actually.)
Make sure you review the rest of this site.
The struggles you’re facing are likely more than just the lack of a permanent address. Other resources we link to can help you as well! On this page, we have included resources for people with several other different types of barriers; for more general job search tips, visit any of the main pages from the Job Search Resources Page.
…For the LGBTQ+ community
Portland is fortunately a pretty good place to look for queer-friendly jobs, all things considered. However, it can still be difficult to find employment development services tailored to your needs or entry-level positions that are identity-affirming.
It’s also hard to decide whether to out yourself to your prospective employers. Discrimination in the interview process and in the workplace is a reality for many job applicants, particularly trans people and queer people of color. However, you’re more likely in the PNW to encounter employers who acknowledge the importance of diversity in the workplace. Here are some tips on finding these people (and avoiding the others):
research prospective employers
Use your network. It’s uniquely important to tap your network as a queer person. Bringing other people into your job search increases the amount of information you have about potential employers, and can open the door (as any type of networking) to jobs you might not hear about or feel safe applying to otherwise. The advice of other people who have gone through the same process is the best way to learn.
The Gay Portland Directory has a fairly comprehensive list of queer-friendly businesses to investigate and places you can go to socialize with other members of the community.
Avoid red flags, such as:
No gender-neutral restrooms in the building where you interview
Interview questions targeting your gender identity or sexuality (remember, questions about your marital/partnership status, gender, and sexuality are illegal!)
Gender discrimination in employment (i.e. all the servers are women and all the kitchen staff are men - this is likely to be indicative of enforced gender roles)
Generally heteronormative vibes—when it comes right down to it, trust your gut
Your safety should be your number one priority. Don’t let desperation drive you into a toxic situation. Especially in Portland, there are plenty of entry-level jobs that can provide an inclusive atmosphere; you just have to find them, which can be a difficult prospect.
It’s worth noting that many employers acknowledge the importance of diversity in the workplace and are invested in your unique background and experience. If you’ve done your research and believe the employer to be inclusive, and you’re comfortable being perceived as queer, don’t be shy on your resume! Any experience engaging with the community, volunteering, at events, etc. can have the potential to make you extremely employable and deserves a place.
Once again, if employers seem turned off by this in the interview, it’s time to look somewhere else. It is extremely important to work somewhere that allows you to be yourself—for your productivity and your mental well-being.
Below are links to some external resources that can help you.
Resources for LGBTQIA+ Job Seekers
Diverse & Empowered Employees of Portland (DEEP)
LGBTQ Career Resource Guide - Career Center - Lewis & Clark
Resources — Q Center (pdxqcenter.org)
Corporate Equality Index 2021 - HRC
LGBTQ+ Friendly Jobs in Portland | Oregon Pride in Business (ORPIB)
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