Reentering The Workforce After Rehab

Where to Start

It can be nerve wracking trying to find work after rehab. You may be worried that no company will hire you because of your past. Remember, you are not alone. You can have a bright future and an amazing job.

The first thing you need to do is to create your resume. There are many resources that can help you to improve your resume so it is more attractive to employers. You should also make sure you have a nice outfit or even a suit. That way, when a company contacts you for an interview, you can go in looking professional. The next step is to send out resumes. Apply to a lot of jobs. You may not get a response from them all, but more than likely you will get at least a few responses. One of the best ways to find job opportunities is through networking. Let everyone know what services you are great at. Talk to people about your skills. Someone out there needs your skill set and needs you as an employee.

It can be tough to start looking for a job. You may have a lot of worries. Some interviews may not go so well. Just remember, you can find a job and your past does not have to define you.

Tips to Finding a Job

Finding a job can be one of the most important things you do when starting your recovery, outside of rehab. You need a job to pay your bills, take care of your children and yourself, and to buy things as well. Without a healthy financial situation, you may become stressed and that can lead to a relapse. However, if you can follow some tips on finding a job, you will have a better chance of getting one.

Where to Look for Jobs

There are many places where you can look for jobs. You can find many online job sites including Indeed.com, Monster.com, Careerbuilder.com, Facebook Jobs, USA Jobs, and more. If you search on Google for the type of job you would like to apply for, you can find many options. You can also go to a local temporary job agency. Getting a temporary job, while looking for a part-time or full-time job, can help you bring in some income, so you aren’t as stressed.

Interviewing as a Recovering Addict

Many recovering addicts also worry about going to the interviews. This can be a tough one, especially if you are constantly worried the employer won’t hire you because of your background. If you want to have more successful interviews, these tips can help:

• Decide what you will do about your recovery disclosure. You can mention it in your application or cover letter. You could wait until the interview process as well. Deciding this ahead of time will help you handle the interviews better.
• Break down addiction stigma. By telling the interviewer what you have gone through and what strengths you have because of it, could help you land a job. The employer may realize you have the motivation and commitments to get the job done right.
• Getting prepared is another way to deal with interviews. Learn everything you can about the company. If their company is releasing a new product, mention it in the interview. If there company recently opened a new department, talk about that. Employers like to know you have done your research. They like to know that the applicant cares about the company.
• Practicing at home can help you as well. Do mock interviews with a loved one. Prepare for questions that might be asked and answer them out loud to your loved one. The stronger and more confident you seem, the more likely you will be to get the job.

Interviewing as a recovering addict doesn’t have to be difficult. It can be nerve wracking, but you can learn to build upon your strengths, and get a job based on your skills and not let your past get in the way.

Don’t Get Discouraged

At first, you may not get the jobs you applied to. However, that shouldn’t stop you from trying. It takes time to build up your confidence after coming home from rehab. This applies to all areas of your life. You must readjust and get used to being in recovery from your addiction. After some time of using the tips above, you can land the job you want. The number one thing to remember is not to get discouraged.

You should stay positive and keep pushing forward. One way you can do that is by telling yourself in the mirror every morning that you are strong. This can help you to build your confidence. Yes, it may seem silly at first, but it can help. You do have the strengths you need to land a job, you just need to keep telling yourself that.

It can also help to give yourself a pep talk before you go into interviews. If you can build yourself up and remind yourself that you have great things to offer in that job, you will more than likely do better in the interview.

You could also use daily motivational quotes to keep yourself positive as well. These quotes or sayings can remind you that you are living a better life now. You have overcome something that some people never do. You have gotten through challenges in your life and you stronger because of it. Keep all of this in mind when you are applying for jobs and going to interviews. It will put you in a positive mindset, so you can do better in the interview.

Recovery Resources for Finding a Job

As a recovering addict, finding a job may be one of your main priorities. It may seem tough to do so, just remember all you have overcome so far. It might help you to have some recovery resources for finding a job.

Depending on which state you live in, there may be some state recovery resources that will help you get a job. They might provide training or help with resumes. If you search for help in your state for recovering addicts and finding a job, this could bring you to the resources you need. The National H.I.R.E. Network is a great resource for finding jobs as a recovering addict as well. You can find information on how to apply for jobs if you have a record or if you have mental health issues. There are state sections for finding a job as well.

You may also want to consider looking for a job in the addiction recovery field. Maybe you will become an addiction recovery specialist or help in a rehab center. You can use Google.com and search jobs for recovering addicts. You could also use Google.com to search for employers that hire recovering addicts as well.

Maintaining Your Career

Once you do land a job, you may need some help in maintaining your career. As a recovering addict, the stress of the job may get to you in different ways. It may be tough to hold a job and manage your recovery, but you can do it. With time, you can keep moving up in the world, and working with joy and happiness.

The number one tip you need to remember is to keep managing your recovery. You should continue going to your addiction recovery meetings or therapy sessions, even when things are going well. If you stop working your recovery, you may also stop using the recovery tools you learned, and this could lead to issues at your workplace as well.

You should also do deep breathing throughout each day. Deep breathing exercises are going to help you reduce stress and be more productive as well. Don’t just do the deep breathing exercises when things start going wrong. Practice doing these exercises all the time, so you can prevent issues from occurring.

Make daily task lists and break those down into subtasks as well. In your job, you want to make sure your employer knows you are doing the work and doing a great job. By making these task lists, you can stay on track and be more productive. Reentering the workforce after rehab can be tough. However, with the tips and resources mentioned here, you can find a job and maintain it.