The staff at CareerForce in Chaska help job seekers utilize the Resource Lab and connect with local employers. They also offer help accessing the following external resources.

Documents

• Employment Agencies
• Internet Job Search Sites
• Job Transition and Networking Groups

Websites

• Minnesota Dept. of Employment & Economic Development (DEED)
  • Job and Career Fairs
  • Labor Market Research and Analysis
• MinnesotaWorks.net Job Seeker Services 

Resources when Job Seeking with a Criminal Record:

Have you ever felt like your criminal record has been a barrier when job seeking?  This section provides the necessary resources for those with a criminal history to utilize when starting a job search. Employers are regularly running background checks on potential employees. It is important to know what is on your record to be able to explain it.

The barrier of a criminal history can be overwhelming and challenging when starting your job search. It is important to remember that although some companies are unable or unwilling, there are employers in your community that are open to giving second chances.

Please click this link to access the "Employment Handbook for Those With a Criminal Record" to help will all your job search needs:

Employment Handbook

For more in-depth job search assistance, please visit the websites below:

CAREERwise

Career One Stop

There are also Resources for Employers that you can explain in an interview to help sell yourself:

Federal Bonding Program

The Federal Bonding Program is offered to employers who hire offenders (and other hard to employ individuals). The individual can be insured at no cost to the employer for up to $5,000. 40,000 bonds have been issued and only 1% of those bonds have had any claims made against them.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit

Employers can claim tax credit if they hire an ex-felon within a year of their release date from a correctional facility or within a year of their conviction date if they did not serve any time.  The tax credit allows employers to reduce their federal tax liability by up to $9,600 per new hire (can vary depending on time worked).

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