LinkedIn collaborated with the Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), a national nonprofit that offers comprehensive employment services to people returning from jail or prison in 31 cities, to develop a first-of-its-kind online video course aimed at assisting justice-impacted job seekers in their search for quality employment.
The LinkedIn Learning course “Job Seeking with a Criminal Record with Genevieve Rimer” will help people with a criminal record acknowledge their distinctive skills and experiences, as well as identify their goals and interests, in order to find their ideal job. Job seekers who have been impacted by the justice system will learn difficult skills such as writing a resume and mastering “employment talk” in order to succeed in an interview. This course will provide viewers with the practical tools they need to land a quality job in only 50 minutes.
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“Twenty years ago, I could have never imagined companies like LinkedIn investing in helping people with past convictions find employment,” said Dr. Genevieve Rimer, Director of Inclusive Hiring at CEO. “Creating this learning module was important to me because it allowed me to utilize my personal experience in job searching with a criminal record to inspire and instruct others.” “While creating this course, I envisioned incarcerated people taking it and dreaming of the day when they could use what they’ve learned after their return.”
Dr. Rimer will lead course attendees through 16 learning modules ranging in length from one to four minutes. Dr. Rimer’s book, complete with hands-on exercises, downloadable worksheets, and real-life examples from her own path to success, inspires confidence as much as it does tangible to- do’s.
“We know how important it is to provide tailored learning content to our members so they can build the skills they need to get a job,” said Hari Srinivasan, VP of Product Management at LinkedIn Talent Solutions, “By co-creating this course with the Center for Employment Opportunities, we’re able to provide actionable tools, advice, and resources– rooted in the instructor’s lived experience– to help formerly incarcerated job seekers gain confidence as they transition into the workforce.”
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Job seekers who have been impacted by the justice system will also learn how to use online tools and community-based resources, such as LinkedIn, to find opportunities and support. With its “Fair Chance” job filter, LinkedIn is uniquely positioned to assist formerly incarcerated individuals in finding work. This feature enables job seekers to quickly identify employers who have agreed to consider applicants with a criminal record, removing a significant barrier from their job search.
As the nation’s largest provider of reentry employment services, CEO’s strategic plan concentrates on assisting job seekers with prior convictions in obtaining flourishing wage jobs with benefits.
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