When you go back into the real world after rehab, one of the first things you’ll need is a job. With the stress of maintaining sobriety and containing treatment, that’s probably the last thing you want to worry about. That’s why Laguna Shores Recovery Center wants to make it as easy for you as possible. By building job skills with us while in treatment, you can have one less stressor in your life post-rehab.

Why Building Job Skills Is Vital to Success Post-Treatment

Knowing how to get and maintain a steady job is a skill. Unfortunately, it isn’t thoroughly taught in many schools. Young people often have to seek out help from their parents, career counselors, or the internet just to learn how to write a cover letter. However, these skills are vital to success in every person’s future.

Unfortunately, there are factors that can hold people back from learning those skills. Low-income individuals are likely to have fewer job opportunities due to a lack of higher education. They’re also more likely to abuse substances. As someone going through treatment or considering treatment, you probably know that a substance problem makes it harder to find employment. This is especially true for people with drug-related offenses on their record. Even if you don’t, disclosing the reason for the gap on your resume can make employers think twice about hiring you. Because you’re at a disadvantage, building job skills is all the more important to help you stand out.

Finding a steady job that you enjoy and that provides you with a liveable income is also an important factor in maintaining sobriety. Because of the correlation between low-income individuals and drug abuse, it’s obvious that financial stress can lead people to make unhealthy decisions. Gaining financial independence and stability gives you one less thing to worry about. Instead of stressing over money, you can focus on your mental well-being and recovery. A job can also give you a sense of purpose, which is crucial to many people in the weeks and months after rehab. Before you can get a job though, you need job skills. 

Building Job Skills: The Basics

When you’re fresh out of rehab and looking to get your life back on track, you’ll need a few skills to get started. You’ll need a strong resume that highlights your experience and skills. You should know where to look for jobs and how to find positions that match well with your abilities. You’ll also need to be able to navigate a difficult question that may be posed to you by potential employers: what’s with the gap in your resume? 

Laguna Shores Recovery Center offers a life skills program called “Adulting 101” which teaches a variety of skills to help you succeed. 

Build a Strong Resume

Your resume is often the first thing employers see when you apply for a job. It’s a sales pitch of yourself on paper. You want it to highlight everything that makes you a great candidate for the specific position. But not everyone knows how to write a resume or how to tailor it for each application. It’s a skill, like everything else, and it can be learned. Laguna Shores Recovery Center’s adulting classes cover that topic and more. 

Learn How to Look for Jobs

In this day and age, the job market is almost completely online. Most employers use online job boards to connect with potential candidates. Learning how to navigate these sites is an important skill to have. 

Beyond knowing where the jobs are, it’s also vital that you can identify employers that match what you want. A good job should capitalize on your specific skills and experience. The company should have values that you believe in. More than anything, it should be a position that you enjoy and that gives you a sense of purpose. It can be hard to find positions that are good for you, but with practice and guidance, you can find the perfect job. 

Navigating Your Past With Addiction

When interviewing for a job, you might get asked about the time on your resume that you were in rehab. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to be honest about the time gap. While revealing your history with addiction could hurt your chances, lying definitely will.

As addiction becomes more openly discussed and destigmatized, employers are more understanding and willing to give recovering addicts a shot. The US Department of Labor actually advocates for the hiring of people in recovery. Be honest and sincere about your past. Acknowledge that you’ve struggled with substance use and sought help for it. Emphasize your commitment to sobriety and wellness. Mention any ongoing treatment that you’re receiving, such as attending NA/AA meetings. These things can help assuage the interviewer’s fears. However, knowing your boundaries is also important. You don’t have to provide any details that you aren’t comfortable with sharing. 

Setting You up for Life After Rehab

At Laguna Shores Recovery Center, we’re all about setting you up for success in your life after treatment. Building job skills with us is a great step toward financial wellness and overall success. We don’t want to just get you sober and send you off into the world. You should have everything you need to live your best life after rehab.

We’re located just a few miles from Laguna Beach in Orange County, California. Our beautiful location is the perfect setting for rehabilitation from substance abuse and learning how to better yourself. If you’re considering treatment but are worried about having job security after rehab, we’re here to help. Our life skills classes can give you all of the skills you need to succeed. The programs we offer also cover other topics such as domestic skills and relationship skills. We want to give you the best possible chance at sustained wellness after treatment. To get help or learn more about our services, give Laguna Shores Recovery Center a call at 954-688-5806.