Where Are the Best Places to Look for Employment In Early Recovery?

When I got sober, I had some early setbacks finding work because I applied at the wrong places. I had a significant job gap and criminal convictions to contend with and applied at some large companies that couldn’t hire me due to their inflexible policies. Big mistake!

For anyone in early recovery, I advise you to look at your situation carefully before deciding where to apply. Regardless of your situation, you’ll have options, but pick the right option for your situation to give yourself the best chance of success.

If you have job gaps but no criminal history

You can find a job almost anywhere. Get your resume and cover letter ready, and go for it. Be prepared to explain your job gap when asked.

If you have a criminal history

Small- to medium-sized companies are your best option. There are different definitions for small and medium-sized businesses, but it means a business under 250 employees for our purposes. Generally, for those of us with criminal backgrounds, the smaller, the better. So why are these kinds of businesses a good place to start?

• Small businesses are much less likely to run a background check.
• The person you interview with is more likely to make the hiring decision, so if you interview well, you have a great shot.
• A lot of hiring is based on the interviewer’s gut feeling in smaller companies, so even if you have a checkered past, you may still get an opportunity.
• If they do run a background check, and you’re honest and present a good explanation — as we practiced with your letter of explanation — these smaller companies have the most flexibility in deciding whether to take a chance on you.

Besides smaller businesses, many second-chance employers have cropped up in recent years. These are larger employers who either make it a policy to not eliminate someone because of criminal history or purposely hire individuals who are in recovery or have criminal backgrounds. On my resources page, I’ve included some websites that list second-chance employers, and you can check in your local area to see which ones may exist.