Quest for Employment

Abbie’s job search was met with determination. Despite her past struggles and fears about starting to apply to jobs, she remained committed to the process at REAL LIFE. While Lifers are expected to apply to 10 jobs a day, Abbie shared she continually took it upon herself to apply to upwards of 30 a day, allowing her to find a job only days after first applying. Her perseverance and commitment to growth doesn’t stop there. In the future, Abbie looks to attend school and forge a career in substance abuse counseling, hoping to serve as a source of inspiration and passion for others.

Phoeba’s journey to employment was equally complex as she faced uncertainty of what her previous incarceration meant for her future career goals. Overcoming the challenge of addressing the gaps in her work history was an obstacle, but she felt that the help of staff members like Sydney showed her how to present herself in an impactful way to potential employers.  Phoeba realized that by showcasing her commitment to positive change, she could stand out in the job market. Her most successful opportunities came from following up with employers and calling them to further express her interest. This proactive approach set her apart from other applicants and increased her chances of securing interviews. Today, not only is Phoeba a top employee in a local upholstery business, but she also holds a key to the building, a symbol of her dedication and hardwork.

Carsten’s job search began during the holiday season after being released from prison and integrated into REAL LIFE. He worked tirelessly for weeks sending in numerous applications, but came out empty handed. When he was ready to give up, however, his case manager, Melissa, gave him the encouragement to push forward. She told him that her situation was similar and after giving her testimony, Carsten vowed that he would continue on. Then, Melissa revised his resume with a fine tooth comb to concisely and precisely represent him. Not long after, he got a couple phone calls and an interview. He was ecstatic! After adequately preparing, Carsten met with the employer who offered him a favorable package, but at the expense of his morals. Carsten refused, despite his looming uncertain future. Nonetheless, another interview came soon after and the topic of integrity came up again. Western Express gave the final question, “what is a representation of who you want to be?” Carsten replied by saying, “I identify with my creator, Jesus Christ, who I aim to represent.” After describing this more fully, the employer told him it was the most profound answer they had heard and immediately hired him on. A month and a half later, Carsten was promoted to Lead Forman and is currently training for a managerial promotion. He has a team of technicians that he trains up in skill and character, with the goal of shaping new leaders. Carston credits his success not from himself but as a result of Melissa, REAL LIFE, and God.

Frank’s reentry into the workforce came with tension as well. He experienced paperwork and credentialing issues. Regardless, this did not slow him down as he learned from Sydney who practically laid out the module book and Christina who helped him get into and record a carpentry class. In this season, Frank understood patience more deeply while accepting his “job before the job.” As a result, when the time came for his first interview with Hajoca a few weeks ago, he nailed it. And, like Carston, Frank credits the Lord with his success. In fact, his daughter who recently walked the stage began her first job as a digital marketer the same day! Being with Hajoca has been a blessing for Frank all around. He aims to be a productive member of the company that cares about their employees, gives young guys opportunities to be in leadership, and provides good benefits. Not only has Frank been working with plumbing and hvac, but also got a gig creating flyers for the Bureau. After Sydney had called him about it, the client and him emailed back and forth before Frank sent out a sample flyer. His efforts were rewarded and now Frank is set to produce 5 flyers a month. “When it rains it pours.” Frank has certainly been blessed over the past month, but aims to praise God in abundance and scarcity.