Even when life is treating you well, job hunting can take a toll on your energy, confidence, and peace of mind. For jobseekers experiencing homelessness, added layers of difficulty make the path to employment infinitely more arduous. But with determination and the right strategies, and support, this life-changing journey towards a sustainably bright future can prove successful.
We’ve put together some insights and guidance to help homeless job seekers get hired and back on their feet. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Homeless people face exceptional challenges that can make their employment quest especially bumpy, lonely, and discouraging. On top of having to cope with homelessness in its own right, these related job search complications can be daunting.
Any job search can take time and perseverance, even when homelessness is not a factor. Plan to remind yourself of that reality as often as needed on your journey toward being in a better place.
Mental resilience and self-care go hand in hand
Staying positive and preparing mentally for a job search when homeless is imperative. Be patient and expect setbacks you won’t always see coming. The most discouraging moments are when you need to be kindest to yourself. Keep your goals reasonable and celebrate every step forward to stay motivated.
Make self-care your top priority. Unemployment job search preoccupations should never be at the expense of your physical and mental well-being. Access all available avenues to meet your needs for shelter, healthcare, food, and emotional support.
Any number of local resources may offer solutions and support towards attaining both stable housing and employment. You’re apt to find crossovers in the types of specialized assistance available through interlinked programs and agencies. Whether independently or in a coordinated manner, they can help you gain multiple footholds toward self-sufficiency.
Local homeless shelters, food banks, and soup kitchens may provide more than just emergency housing, meals, and food assistance. With computer and internet access being a lifeline for homeless individuals using their facilities, many are equipped with computer stations and/or connectivity for people to use their own devices. Employment counseling, skills training, and job placement services may be readily at hand, as well as resume help, interview coaching, and perhaps access to clothing, transportation, and even transitional housing.
Help could be a nearby visit away
Local libraries are a gift that keeps on giving to unemployed homeless people. Notably, they offer access to computers and the internet, which are essential for the job search. In addition, libraries might provide:
Don’t overlook the possibility of housing and employment solutions coming from a nearby church either. From emergency shelter and food bank access to job skills training and counseling, the pastor or congregation members could be a helpful source of assistance or advice. In addition, church volunteer activities could open doors to invaluable work experience and networking opportunities.
Some of the programs and services that homeless job seekers can access locally are offered throughout the United States. Availability depends on location. These are some familiar examples:
Fortunately for homeless individuals, digital technology has transformed the modern job search scene in universally beneficial ways. Gone are the days when pounding the pavement was your only option.
Computer and internet access now brings a world of opportunity to nearby doorsteps. As the key to unlocking job posts, it’s also your Swiss army knife for preparing and submitting applications, receiving responses, and preparing for interviews. It’s the research gateway to explore job market trends and in-demand skills. It helps you identify gaps in your qualifications and learning paths to fill those gaps through additional training, education, mentoring, or certification.
Thankfully, the twin challenges of homelessness and joblessness don’t automatically put computer and internet access off limits. As noted previously, free or inexpensive options may be readily within reach.
As the cornerstone of all job searches, a resume seeks to persuade hiring managers that you’re an excellent fit for the position being sought. Homelessness need not be a handicap where resume writing basics are concerned.
For expert advice on how to write a job-winning resume, you are already in the right place at Resume.io. We offer a wealth of information on job search best practices, including an ever-expanding library of 350+ occupation-specific resume examples with step-by-step writing guides.
No matter what your background or current circumstances, a well-crafted resume plays to your strengths as they align with the job you’re applying for. The emphasis is on relevant experience, achievements, and transferable skills, regardless of how limited or extensive your employment history is. Anything you’ve learned and accomplished as a student, volunteer or trainee counts if potentially valuable to the employer.
Uncertain how to deal with employment gaps in your resume? What if you have little or no work experience at all? You’re in good company, but not because these are homelessness red flags per se. Job seekers in more than a few other circumstances have reason to seek solutions. It comes down to matching the custom-tailoring strategy that each specific job application requires.
Self-reflection to assess your interests, abilities, experiences, and accomplishments is a vital first step toward finding employment. It’s also an opportunity to psychologically step away from the crisis at hand and regroup by taking stock of everything in your favor.
Leave nothing off the table when you approach this assets inventory as an open-ended brainstorming exercise. Keep a list handy and keep your memories, thoughts and ideas flowing freely. Keep calm and patient too. Do your best to dismiss the anxiety and sense of urgency you might be feeling.
Addressing the address issue
Not having a stable home address doesn’t have to be a job search deal breaker, as it might have been in the pre-digital age of snail-mailed paper resumes and cover letters. But with today’s default being online document submissions and e-communications, having a street address or physical mailbox matters far less, if at all. In fact, the question of whether to put your address on a resume has become debatable, with some arguing it’s unnecessary and also a privacy protection concern.
Still, some employers expect or require a physical address, perhaps on an application form. Some options:
Landing a job interview is no small win on any job seeker’s scorecard, and for homeless people, it’s an especially big confidence booster. Bask in the well-deserved sense of accomplishment while preparing to meet your interviewers face to face, in a video or phone call.
Your rehearsed answers to common interview questions should focus on your strengths and your awareness of their value to this specific employer. Bridge from your past experiences to future potential. Highlight challenges you’ve overcome as an employee, student, or volunteer — single-handedly or through teamwork — to demonstrate a solution-focused mindset.
Above all, be ready to cite relevant transferable skills, leaning into the things you can do and away from your shortcomings.
Again, there’s no shortage of online advice at the pivotal interview stage of your job search. But it’s so much better if you can connect with someone in your local resource network for interview coaching or practice sessions.
In particular, seek clarity on how to handle interview questions relating to your homeless status, or if it even needs to come up at all depending on the employer’s awareness.
Job posts on career sites such as LinkedIn will likely be your job hunt mainstay. Otherwise, as discussed earlier, many of the same resources helping homeless people in your community can help you make contact with job counseling, training, and placement agencies. Be proactive in reaching out to as wide a circle as possible of businesses and nonprofit groups, by email or in person.
Here are some more ideas for homeless job seekers to keep your efforts on track and gain momentum.
Upskilling can pay off
Stay mindful of what you stand to gain by growing your skills and knowledge in fields of interest. Refer to your self-assessment inventory and cross-check it against job requirements. Enroll in free or low-cost courses online or at local colleges and training centers — including programs offered to homeless adults. Make the most of every opportunity to attend talks and training sessions. Follow up with the presenter to ask specific questions or seek advice.