You may have set several goals for yourself during your stay at Dignity Hall Sober Living Homes in South Jersey. One of these goals will most likely be finding employment during or after substance use recovery. Those who are employed during addiction recovery are associated with lower relapse rates. However, it is common that people in addiction recovery face many hurdles when seeking employment. Finding employment after rehab is a crucial part of recovery.
The employment search can be a daunting process, no matter who you are. If you are in addiction recovery or just completed an addiction recovery program, the following tips can help you overcome obstacles you may face in your job search process.
Network
One of the most effective ways to find a job is through networking amongst peers. Research has shown that around 85% of jobs are found using this strategy. For those who are in an addiction treatment program, this is the first place you should start. Talking about your professional goals and aspirations with your clinical treatment staff and peers can start a connection with a contact in the industry you want to work in.
Another good option is to talk with peers in your sober living home or group sessions to get an idea about their careers. This is also an excellent time to ask other important career questions such as why they enjoy their work, what skills and qualifications they needed to start, and what types of projects they work on.
Online sources such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Glassdoor provide excellent resources to connect with others and learn the skills and qualifications needed for various positions within different industries.
Volunteer Your Skills
Getting involved in service opportunities within the industry, you would like to work in or learn more about can help open new windows of opportunity and provide a sense of purpose. For example, if you want to work with animals, it may be a good idea to volunteer at your local shelter. Another benefit of volunteering is prospective employers love to see that you are building skillset through volunteer work.
Continue Your Education
It is never too late to go back to school to learn a new trade or work towards a college degree. If you are recovering from addiction, there are thousands of resources available to help you get started. There are several options for college and technical schools in New Jersey that provide payment plans, scholarship opportunities, grants, and financial aid.
Speak with Your Sponsor
Those who are in a 12-step program are assigned a sponsor who has been sober for a long period of time. This person acts as a guardian and mentor for those who are in recovery. They can also be a learning resource. A sponsor may work in an industry that you are interested in or know someone who does. Discussing your career goals with your sponsor is a great option because they may help you find a strategy to help you achieve your career goals.
Let Go of Expectations
When you are new to the job search with little to no experience in your industry, you may have had expectations of what your ‘perfect’ job should be like. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes when you are new to an industry, you may have to take less money and fewer hours to build experience.
Letting go of expectations may mean that you should:
- Being willing to take part-time, entry-level positions.
- Be open to new ideas
- Be patient with yourself; a job may not come overnight
- See the positive
- Be willing to volunteer time, shadow professionals, continue education.
Dignity Hall Sober Living Homes
At Dignity Hall Sober Living Homes in South Jersey, we know that the job search can be an intimidating process. Our staff will help guide you along the road to recovery to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. If you are interested in learning more about Dignity Hall, reach out today at 855.380.7560.
Sources:
Belli, G. (2019, March 4). How Many Jobs Are Found Through Networking, Really? Career News. https://www.payscale.com/career-news/2017/04/many-jobs-found-networking
6 Tips for Finding Employment After Rehab. (2018, May 7). CareerCast.Com. https://www.careercast.com/career-news/employment-after-rehab
