Our job seeker presentations address the unique challenges that people in recovery encounter when job hunting. Taught with compassion from lived experience, attendees will leave with an actionable plan that can facilitate their recovery and employment journey.

For Job Seekers

getting back to work: a process as simple as abc

A big challenge for people in early recovery – especially for those with significant employment gaps – is simply knowing how to begin the journey back to employment. This workshop defines a straightforward approach to finding work for those in recovery from addiction and alcoholism and impacted by the criminal justice system. It’s designed for people starting over from scratch and those who feel stuck and are unsure how to advance in their current careers. Participants will learn:

• The ABC Employment Path model

• The three different types of jobs

• How to protect your career against a potential relapse or mental health setback

• Resources to help you find work opportunities

• The three skills that every employer is looking for

• How to recognize all your skills, including the less obvious ones

• Ways to improve the skills that employers value the most

• Resources for education and online learning

• Developing a path to grow in your career over the long term

• Understanding when you’re ready to take the next step on the path

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute skills discovery workshop

For: anyone who has been out of the workforce for an extended time

How to Tell Your Story to An Employer

Explaining significant job gaps or a criminal history to a potential employer creates tremendous anxiety for job seekers. The key to overcoming this anxiety is preparation and a communication plan. In this workshop, attendees will learn everything needed to write an effective letter of explanation. This workshop is designed for individuals and can also help agencies craft effective letters on behalf of their clients. Participants will learn:

• The four necessary elements in every letter of explanation

• How to tell the truth strategically

• Transforming an employment gap from a problem into an opportunity

• What NOT to say in an interview

• How to determine if there will be a criminal background check before the interview

• How and when to address criminal convictions

• The best places to apply for work with a criminal record

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees will build their own letter of explanation

For: individuals with barriers to employment, including legal issues and agencies that serve people in recovery

How to Find A Job If You Have a Criminal Record

People with criminal records face the threat of discrimination at every interview. While employer attitudes seem to be softening, finding employment for those with arrest or conviction records can still be challenging. In this course, we develop resources and employ techniques that individuals with criminal records can use to find and keep employment. Attendees will learn:

• The one tool that every job seeker with a criminal record must have

• How to speak to an employer about your criminal record

• The best places to apply for work

• How to prepare for an interview

• What to highlight in an interview and what to avoid

• How to decide whether or not to tell an employer about your record

• How to determine and highlight the skills that each employer wants

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees will get tools to help with their specific challenges

For: individuals with criminal records

How to Make Yourself More Valuable to Employers in Early Recovery

Employment hurdles for people in early recovery can be significant, but there are still ways to help establish and increase your value to employers. In this workshop, the concept of “personal value” is discussed, and attendees will be taught:

• The four ways to make yourself more valuable to an employer

• The three P’s of an employment comeback

• The connection between recovery and employment

• How to use the ABC Employment Path to increase your value

• The importance of taking “Any Job”

• The best free resources you can use to develop additional skills

• How to ask for and get recommendation letters

Length: 60 minutes, this can also be paired with a 30-minute workshop where attendees identify their desired career path

For: individuals who have graduated from, or are about to graduate from, a recovery program

Contact us to schedule a virtual or in-person workshop for your organization.

Ty Reed’s remarkable and inspiring story of recovery is one of courage, resiliency, and strength. Our group of neuroscientists at the NAPE center felt honored to hear Mr. Reed’s journey through addiction and appreciate the transparency of the presentation he gave us on the world of addiction and drug abuse. Ty Reed’s story is one that everyone should listen to, as it has something to offer to everyone! Thank you, Ty!

— Lusine Gomtsian | PhD, Program Manager
UW Center in Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion
Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine | UW Medicine

Ty Reed Is an engaging presenter with a great formula to help folks in recovery and reentry find their way back to the workforce.  He connects with attendees and provides clear, actionable information for growth.  I look forward to hosting Ty at the Library again in the future.

— Megan Willan, Adult Services Librarian,
King County Library System