The primary concern of nearly every individual who arrives at Exodus is employment. Often they believe that when they are able to secure an income, their problems will be fixed. Unfortunately, we have seen that a belief that employment will be an elixir is a primary risk factor for failure. Our employment readiness efforts begin by working to ensure that our participants do not transfer the instant gratification attitude that led to their incarceration into their reintegration process. Through our explanations of the Exodus Contract as our Formerly incarcerated staff members own testimonies, we demonstrate that securing employment is closer to the beginning of the process than the end.

          During the initial five days of workshops, we prepare participants for the interview process. We help them develop a resume, teach interview skills, and critique videotaped mock interviews. Interview and resume assistance is especially critical as participants have the increased difficulty of making years behind bars look palatable on a resume of handling interview questions about a criminal conviction. We help individuals focus on the positive aspects of these obstacles. Years in a correctional facility usually included experience in maintenance, food service, welding, or even bookkeeping and thus could be used to fill what would otherwise be gaps in a resume. Participants also learn how to use an interview question about a criminal conviction to outline efforts they undertook to turn their life around while incarcerated.