RETURN

Returning Citizens typically face several barriers when looking for work – obsolete skills, broken work history, and employers who simply screen them out. But finding quality employment is a vital part of community reintegration. Virginia Career Works – Capital Region regularly offers re-entry assistance to job seekers to teach them the tips, tricks, and methods of regaining employment.  Visit one of our career centers to access an array of services focused on helping you find your next step.

LEARN

Virginia Career Works offers services through collaboration with many partner agencies.  These services are designed to assist you in taking your career search to the next level.  Our training programs are provided through the multiple funding sources of our partners and the Career Works Centers in our region. Depending on eligibility and program qualifications, you may be able to take advantage of the services listed below.

  • One-on-one assistance with resumes, cover letters and thank you letters
  • Assistance with completing employment applications
  • Career counseling
  • Development of an individual employment plan
  • In-depth interviewing skills development
  • Career and skills testing
  • Occupational skills training, on-the-job training, job readiness training
  • Referrals to specialized services

Employers will be curious about your criminal record and what happened. Remember, their job is to eliminate risk that could negatively impact their business and their assets. They want to know if you’re going to help or hurt the company if they hire you. Make it clear in an interview that you’ll be a positive addition to their workforce.

Job Application Tips

  • It is legal for an employer to ask if you’ve been convicted of a felony.

  • You do not need to mention any arrests that did not lead to conviction.

  • Any convictions while you were a juvenile are part of a sealed-record and do not need to be revealed.

Interviewing Tips

  • Be direct and honest in your answers

  • Explain what happened

  • Take responsibility – don’t make “victim statements”

  • Explain why you’re different today

  • Be sincere and real – people can tell when it is forced or fake

  • Offer to submit to a drug and alcohol screening or to get federally bonded (more information below) to further help the employer minimize risk

EARN

Virginia Career Works and our partner agencies offer career placement assistance through local employer partners. Most industries have openings on any given day, but those listed are experiencing growth or are identified as focused “target industries” and are essential to the future of our regional economy. Developing skills relevant to these industries increases your marketability and job security. We’ve identified short-term training options for all of these industries that can help you get a foot in the door if you’re new or demonstrate your competence if you’re experienced. We also have employers who are eager to meet new training graduates.

  • Advanced Manufacturing
  • Transportation & Warehousing
  • Energy
  • Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  • Healthcare
  • Construction Trades
  • Hospitality

WAYS TO GET STARTED

REGISTER ON THE VIRGINIA WORKFORCE CONNECTION (VAWC)

Go to the VAWC Website

MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO REGISTER:

If you do not have a VAWC file:

  • Click “not registered” link
  • Click “individual”
  • Create a unique username and password. Fill in required (*) fields.
  • Click on “To build a resume” link.

If you have a profile and know your Username and Password:

  • Enter your user ID and password
  • Click “Sign In” button

If you have a profile but do not know your username and password:

  • Click “Forgot Username and Password” link
  • Select Option 3 to retrieve both
  • Select Individual
  • Fill in required fields and click “verify”
  • Your username should appear. Create a password and select a security question to answer
  • Click “Save”

  • Click on Individual Profile (left side of web page)
  • Click on “Personal Profile”
  • Select General Information Tab to update your personal information. Click “Save”
  • Click on Background Tab
  • Click on Start Background Wizard link to enter pertinent information
  • Click on Resume Builder (under QUICK MENU on the left side of the web page)
  • Choose Comprehensive Format (preferred method for job matching)

  • Click “Job Search” (left side of web page)
  • Complete search criteria if needed
  • Click “Search”
  • Click “Job Title” link for job description. Click on “How to Apply For This Job” link to obtain information on how to apply for job

EXPLORE AVAILBLE SERVICES

CAREER SERVICES ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

Enrollment priority is given to veterans and qualified spouses, then to individuals who are over 65, have a disability, have low literacy skills or limited English proficiency, reside in a rural area, are homeless or at risk of homelessness, have low employment prospects, or have failed to find employment after using services through the American Job Center system.

Adult

  • Adults must be over 18 years old, a US citizen or eligibility to work in the United States.
  • At times priority funding is given to adults with employment barriers.
  • Qualifying barriers may include low income, basic skills deficient or offenders.

Dislocated Worker

  • Workers that have been laid off, terminated or otherwise become unemployed, and is eligible to receive unemployment insurance
  • Workers impacted by layoffs or business closures
  • Workers impacted by foreign trade, migrant and seasonal farm workers and veterans.

  • Out of school Youth ages 17-24 that have at least one barrier to employment.
  • Barriers to employment include a low income, basic skills deficiency, foster child, school dropout, pregnant or parenting, homeless, runway, or ex-offender.

Individuals must be at least 18 years or older unless released from compulsory attendance, then individuals can be accepted at 16 or 17.

  • Individuals with documented disabilities with the desire to work are suitable for services.
  • Priority given to individuals with the greatest needs

Participants at least 55 years old, unemployed, and have a family income of no more than 125% of the federal poverty level.

List of Documents Needed for Eligibility Verification

To streamline the process, please review the list below or reach out to one of our centers (information can be found by clicking here). 

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Birth CertificateVA Office of Vital Records
DD214US Department of Veteran Affairs
US PassportUSA Government Website
Alien Registration CardUS Citizenship and Immigration Services

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Social Security CardSocial Security Administration 
DD214US Department of Veteran Affairs
Previous Paystub(s)From Current or Previous Employer
W-2 Tax formUS Internal Revenue Service

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Drivers LicenseVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles 
Personal Identification CardVirginia Department of Motor Vehicles
US Passport USA Government Website

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Selective Service Status Information LetterUS Selective Service System

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Drivers License Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles 
Any Correspondence Sent to Your Home AddressContact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 

Document TypeResource if unable to locate
ResumeAccess a Resume Builder by creating an account on the Virginia Workforce Connection or Virginia Career Works Application Portal.
Job Search LogContact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 
Recent Government Job ApplicationContact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 

  • Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
    6 months of household wagesContact Current of Previous Employer(s)
    Pay StubsContact Current of Previous Employer(s)
    Unemployment Insurance documentationVirginia Employment Commission
    TANF or SNAP eligibility formTANF forms  or SNAP Forms

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
DD214 US Department of Veteran Affairs

Document TypeResource if unable to locate (Click Link)
Written Notice from Your Employer Contact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 
Virginia Employment Commission (VEC) Notice of Deputy’s DeterminationVirginia Employment Commission 
Severance Package Contact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 
 Closure Notice or General Notice (i.e. newspaper clipping) Contact our team at info@vcwcapital.com 
Click Here to Begin the Virtual Enrollment Process

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION

NETWORK2WORK RVA

Network2WorkRVA connects skilled job seekers with employers looking to fill vital roles within their company. We help you find a job that pays a living wage and leads to a fulfilling career.

Network2Work is ready to help, connecting you to training, support and resources that put you on a path to success.

VIRGINIA BONDING PROGRAM

The Virginia Bonding Program is our state’s version of the Federal Bonding Program. It is available to anyone living in Virginia – adult or juvenile of legal work age – with a previous conviction, even if you did not serve any time.

It provides any employer that offers you a full- or part-time job business insurance for your first six months of employment, including temporary agencies. It is completely free for you and your employer.

To learn more, please visit the Virginia Bonding Program’s website.  Below is a video to help you get started:

Interested in Services?  Have Additional Questions?

Please don’t hesitate to contact us!  A staff member will reach out to you to provide more information.

Contact Us