MORE INFO
WHAT: "A New Life" Career Prep Day and Job Fair WHERE: American Job Center, 5600 Brainerd Road Suite A5, Chattanooga, TN 37411 WHEN: Career Prep Day, Thursday, August 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Job Fair, Friday, August 30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. COST: Free MORE INFO: Call 423-643-6705 to register.
This Thursday and Friday, convicted felons will have a chance at landing a job at the New Life Job Fair.
The job fair, hosted by the city of Chattanooga and American Job Center Tennessee, is intended to give former inmates the tools they need and a chance to prove themselves in the workplace.
The two-day program starts with a career prep day on Thursday followed by the job fair on Friday.
Those who attend the prep day will be taught how to prepare resumes, dress professionally and interview effectively. They'll also have access to free haircuts and clothing for job interviews the next day, as well as a chance to get guidance on if they're able to and how to get their criminal record expunged.
Terrence Jackson, left, talks with Ronald VanHoozier, the human resources director/corporate trainer for Chattanooga Goodwill Industries, Inc., during a job fair at the Silverdale Detention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.Men and women of all ages have attended past job fairs. They gather early in the morning at the American Job Center offices in the Eastgate Town Center and then break into smaller groups for crash courses on résumé building, interview skills and how to "dress for success."
Ex-offenders need that support because they have so many hurdles - child support payments, fees, court fines and/or state fines - to overcome when they're released or they risk the possibility of ending up back in jail, Troy Rogers, public safety coordinator for the city, has previously said.
The job fair is an opportunity to provide former inmates with the right tools for a second chance at life.
Participants in the program are required to complete the career prep day on Thursday in order to participate in Friday's job fair. To register call 423- 643-6705.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Thursday's career prep day: (attendance is required in order to participate in the job fair) - Job preparation training - Interview skills - Résumé building tips - How to dress for success Optional: - Free professional haircuts and styles - Voucher for clothing for job fair - Assistance with expungements Friday's job fair: Apply to jobs with the new skills, look and information learned during the career prep day.
Terrence Jackson, right, speaks with Paige Snell, the program director/clinician for The Transition House of Tennessee, during a job fair at the Silverdale Detention Center on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018 in Chattanooga, Tenn.