How to Preserve Your Human Capital

Human capital is a blend of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes that form the foundation of one’s ability to perform labor in a way that produces economic value. Navigating through post-conviction life can be complicated, but investing in your human capital can pave the way toward a stable and fulfilling future. Here’s how you can make the most of your human capital to enhance your life prospects.

Learn New Skills

In today’s rapidly evolving job market, continuous learning is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. The more skills you acquire, the more employable you become. Online courses, vocational training, and certifications can help diversify your skill set and make you more adaptable to different types of work. This is especially crucial for people with a criminal record, as having a diverse skill set can open doors that may otherwise be closed. Learning new skills also boosts your self-esteem and personal value, adding to your human capital in significant ways.

Protect Your Health

Preserving your human capital extends beyond your professional endeavors; it also involves safeguarding your health. Good health enables you to work more efficiently and opens up a wider range of job opportunities. Exercise regularly to improve your physical fitness and consider taking up practices like meditation to enhance mental well-being. Paying attention to safety signs in the workplace can help you avoid injury, and keeping up with regular check-ups and vaccinations can prevent long-term health issues. Remember, your health is not just a personal asset — it’s a form of human capital that directly impacts your economic potential.

Network With Other Professionals

Networking is often undervalued but it’s one of the most effective ways to preserve and enhance your human capital. It provides you with opportunities to learn from others, gain new perspectives, and even secure job opportunities that you may not find otherwise. This is particularly important for those with a criminal record as a strong network can often overcome the barriers that a criminal record might pose in job hunting. Whether it’s attending industry seminars or joining professional organizations, networking should be a key part of your strategy to maintain your human capital.

Investing in your human capital is a continual process, and each step you take toward improving it is a building block for a more secure future. From acquiring new skills and safeguarding your health to networking and community engagement, these are invaluable assets that enrich your life and make you more attractive in the job market. For those navigating the challenges of life post-conviction, focusing on preserving and growing your human capital can be a transformative tool, making way for opportunities that contribute to personal growth and economic stability.

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How to Make Yourself More Hireable After Release From Prison

Category : job-readiness

On release from prison, you have the opportunity to build a new life and a new career. But unfortunately, some employers may put your application aside after seeing you have a conviction record. Still, with some strategies, you can overcome the bias and be successful in finding a good job.

Narrow Down Your Search

There are some types of jobs that tend to exclude anyone with any type of criminal record. Government jobs on the federal, state, and local levels are one example. Positions in education, child care, health care, and banking or finance are others that weigh your record against you.

Knowing this, you should narrow down your search to exclude these positions. Instead, look for jobs in industries that don’t involve working with people or finances. Some examples are jobs in the many hands-on trades, such as plumber and electrician, as well as truck driver, hospitality, or manufacturing.

Get Character References

Your conviction and prison sentence represents only one small part of your life, and your record doesn’t tell your prospective employers who you really are. Instead, start now to get character references that will detail your good qualities and achievements.

You should get references from people you have known for many years. This can include friends, neighbors, teachers or religious leaders, former employers, coaches, and so on. Tell the person why you need the references and what you would like them to highlight.

Be Upfront

Employers routinely run background checks, so it’s inevitable that they will find your criminal record. Trying to conceal your past will only work against you. Don’t volunteer information if you’re not asked, but if an application inquires, it’s important to be upfront about what happened.

Most applications will include a space for you to explain the context of your conviction. Fill this out honestly, and say that you have now turned your life around. Offer to tell more in an interview. Your positive attitude will go a long way in helping the employer get past your record to see your willingness to work.

You can make yourself more hireable following your release from prison, but you should prepare in advance of your job search. It’s a big advantage to have the tools in place to make a positive impression on employers. Many will be willing to overlook the past and give you a chance to prove yourself.

Check out this article on some great reasons to change your career!


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