“One of my immediate concerns when I was released from prison was how I’d get a job – especially with a felony record and no outside experience in HIV/AIDS counseling, the field I wanted to pursue. I’d heard a lot of great things about Fortune from the guys upstate, however, and I figured the best route would be to get some formal training and assistance finding a good placement from a reputable agency like Fortune.
When I got here, I realized that a lot of Fortune staff have histories of incarceration, homelessness, or substance abuse. Even some of the senior executives – guys like Glenn Martin and Stanley Richards – have actually been incarcerated. Coming in off the street, that’s encouraging to me. It means my goals are achievable too.” -Alvaro C., Fortune client
The Employment Services program at The Fortune Society is designed to equip jobseekers with the skills needed to be successful in today’s job market.
Fortune has over forty years experience matching qualified jobseekers with criminal histories to employers who have needs that match their experience and skill set. Today, we offer a variety of services to help motivated jobseekers begin to build a career. Our two week workshop will teach you strategies to professionally network, excel in interviews, problem-solve on the job, answer difficult conviction questions, and create a professional resume and cover letter. We also offer hard-skills training courses that result in certifications and licenses that employers demand. Our team of Facilitators, Career Advisors, and Account Managers will help you along every step of your career pathway. To learn more about applying and enrolling into Employment Services and the latest course offerings, contact the Fortune Society Reception Desk at 212.691.7554.
FORTUNE’S EMPLOYMENT SERVICES PROGRAM INCLUDES:
Two-week Job Readiness Workshop: This workshop is designed to help individuals focus on developing the soft skills, materials, attitude, behaviors and habits necessary to obtain and maintain employment. In particular, the workshop curriculum includes the following activities and topics: time management, accepting and giving constructive criticism, workplace etiquette, résumé and cover letter construction, and interview techniques and videotaped mock interviews – which help clients learn to answer the “conviction question”, New York’s employment discrimination laws, and how to explain the benefits of hiring someone with a criminal background.
Employment Services clients at Fortune have the additional benefit our receiving access to our Employment Resource Room, which has computers, phones, and fax machines to assist them with their job searches.
Job Development: Our job developers identify job openings with hundreds of potential employers each year and matches Employment Services clients with interview opportunities that correspond to their interest, experience, and skill level.
Retention Services: All Employment Services clients are assigned a retention counselor at the beginning of the two-week Job Readiness Workshop. Retention counselors work with each individual to tackle obstacles that interfere with gaining and maintaining employment, including: securing proper identification, getting access to benefits and entitlements, addressing family service issues, and much more. Clients who successfully complete the Job Readiness Workshop and obtain employment are eligible for our Transit Incentive Program, in which they can receive FREE NYC Metro Cards.