The
Mock Job Fair Handbook
EMPOWER YOUR FUTURE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS
Inmate Transition Branch
Washington, D.C. 20534
-2013
Attribution: Parts of this publication have been copied or adapted from several
government publications.
Additional information about the Bureau of Prison’s (BOP) Inmate Transition Branch
(ITB), including dates of future job fairs and a copy of the Employment Information
Handbook and the Mock Job Fair Handbook, can be obtained from the UNICOR web
site: www.unicor.gov/about/about_fpi_programs/inmate_transition/. Or, through e-mails
to [email protected] (202-305-3553), or to [email protected]ov (202-305-4430).
The following additional publications are available from the
Inmate Transition Branch:
·Employment Information Handbook
Table of Contents
First things first ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 6
What is a job fair? ................................................................................................................................... 6
Why have job fairs in institutions? ......................................................................................................... 6
Job fair models ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Planning the job fair .......................................................................................................................... 7
Identify companies and/or agencies that may participate ................................................................. 7
Prepare inmates for the job fair ........................................................................................................ 8
Inmates with special needs ............................................................................................................... 9
Seek the support of other departments ............................................................................................. 9
Identify a location ............................................................................................................................. 9
Make a “to do” list ........................................................................................................................... 9
Keep the ball rolling .................................................................................................................................. 10
Establish a date and time ...................................................................................................................... 10
Identify conflicts............................................................................................................................. 10
Get approval from the institution warden ............................................................................................. 10
Develop a theme ............................................................................................................................. 10
Submit the program proposal ......................................................................................................... 10
Contact area employers ......................................................................................................................... 11
Make verification calls ................................................................................................................... 11
Send letters to employers ................................................................................................................ 11
Follow-up ....................................................................................................................................... 11
Send confirmation letters ................................................................................................................ 11
Obtain company information .......................................................................................................... 12
Services for special populations ..................................................................................................... 12
Provide good directions ........................................................................................................................ 12
Directions from north, south, east and west ................................................................................... 12
Schedule employer interviews with inmates ......................................................................................... 12
Use a scheduling system ................................................................................................................. 13
Make copies and distribute them widely ........................................................................................ 13
Fax reminders to employers ........................................................................................................... 13
Prepare folders and handouts for employers ................................................................................... 13
Check-in reception area .................................................................................................................. 14
The big day ................................................................................................................................................. 1
5
Timing
is everything ...................................................................................................................... 15
Set up the interview site ................................................................................................................. 15
Brief the employers on dos and don’ts ........................................................................................... 15
Close-out is very important ................................................................................................................... 16
Employer recognition and Thank You ........................................................................................... 16
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 16
Appendix A Sample Invitation Letter ............................................................................................. 17
Appendix B ........................................................................................................................................... 18
Inmate/Employer Interview Schedule Listed by Inmates ............................................................... 18
Employer/Inmate Interview Schedule Listed by Company............................................................. 19
Appendix C Sample Confirmation Letter ....................................................................................... 20
Appendix D Sample Interview Evaluation ...................................................................................... 22
Appendix E Sample Interview Schedule (Inmate) .......................................................................... 23
Appendix F Sample Interview Schedule (Employer) .................................................................... 24
Appendix G Sample Employer Job Fair Evaluation Form .............................................................. 25
Appendix H Sample Inmate Job Fair Evaluation Form ................................................................... 26
Appendix I Sample Staff Evaluation Report.................................................................................. 27
Appendix J Sample Interview Questions ....................................................................................... 28
Appendix K Sample Thank You Letter ........................................................................................... 29
1
First Things First
Introduction
Job fairs have been used by schools and other institutions for many years. They connected students
with local company recruiters who might offer them jobs. State correctional institutions initiated job
fairs as early as 1992. They were called “mock job fairs” since company recruiters were not
expected of offer jobs, but rather were tasked with providing prisoners the opportunity to strengthen
their interviewing and related job search skills. Company recruiters carried out the job interviews as
if they were real, and during the last ten minutes of the scheduled half hour, critiqued the prisoners’
performance during the interview. The prisoners, many of whom had been out of the labor market
for several years, benefitted from the experience, and were better prepared for job interviews upon
release.
The Bureau of Prisons (BOP), building on the positive experience of state correctional institution
mock job fairs, initiated a similar program in 1996. As the BOP gained experience and activated
many new institutions, staff responsible for the job fair program received requests from both federal
and nonfederal correctional institutions for assistance to conduct job fairs. This handbook was
developed in an effort to respond to those requests.
What is a Job Fair?
A mock job fair involves gathering employers and related service agencies together in an interview and
information format to allow inmates job interview experience. The interview format provides realistic
job application and interview experiences to inmates who will be released to the job market in the near
future. The information format provides job market information and contact opportunities that can lead
to job interviews, further education and training options, and provide access to community services upon
release from prison.
Why Have Job Fairs in Institutions?
Many inmates are unfamiliar with job search, application, and interview techniques. Pre-release and
life skills programs can provide general job information and, in some cases, provide “practice” job
interviews and application preparation. Job fairs, however, give inmates realistic experience where
they can learn and improve their job seeking skills. Institutions that have job fairs develop valuable
contacts with employers, and enhance the credibility of their programs with inmates and the
community. As a result, many employers change their viewpoint about prisoners and prison
6
programs, and look more favorably on hiring ex-offenders after being exposed to the prison and the
inmates during the job fair event. This can contribute directly to the ability of inmates to get and
retain jobs and be successful in the community.
Job Fair Models
There are three models for job fairs: the mock job fair interview model, the information model, or a
combination of the two. The interview model includes 30 minute employer interviews of inmates.
The information model involves providing information, on-site, from employers, education, social
service, and related agencies (representation from half-way houses, Motor Vehicle Administrations,
Veterans, Social Security and Vocational Rehabilitation Administrations, US and state employment
agencies (One-Stop Shops), and Federal Probation). Each model can be alternated periodically, or
combined to determine what works best in a particular correctional setting. The first order of
business is to get organized and list the tasks that must be accomplished. The warden should appoint
a job fair coordinator to organize all planning and implementation of the job fair. The job fair
coordinator should recruit staff volunteers to form a job fair committee to share job fair
responsibilities.
Planning the Job Fair
Literature about job fairs is available from the Inmate Transition Branch (ITB), Federal Bureau of
Prisons (BOP). The job fairs have a proven track record in a variety of correctional settings, in BOP
institutions, and in many state, county and metropolitan correctional institutions. The information
provided by the ITB includes this Job Fair Handbook, job fairs videos, assistance in identifying
employers and education and service agencies to invite to the job fair, and related job fair
information.
Letters inviting prospective employers to participate in a job fair are critical. Sample letters,
evaluation forms, other related material, and the time required to conduct the fair, can be found in the
appendixes to this handbook.
Identify Companies and/or Agencies That May Participate
A key component to the job fair process is identifying potential employers in an area reasonably
close to the job fair site who might want to participate. Identify large companies that have local
operations near the prison that is conducting the job fair.
In addition, strictly local companies that do business with the institution, such as local supply and
parts stores, the local gas and electric companies, banks and insurance and construction companies,
should be encouraged to participate. The Internet, the local chamber of commerce, the yellow pages,
Better Business Bureau publications, and similar employer lists can help identify appropriate
companies. An institution’s community relations board, pre-release guest speaker lists, personal
contacts, and any other resources available locally, can also help.
It is not inappropriate to consider that the local BOP institution carries on major business activities
with these companies.
7
Many colleges have job fairs and may provide assistance in making employer contacts and in helping
to sponsor the prison job fair. In advance of the job fair, check with the college career resource
center, or extension or cooperative education division, to determine if they would be interested in
offering employability and retention skills seminars to inmates who are scheduled to participate in
the job fair. The seminars might cover such subjects as resume writing, job applications,
employment folders, dress for success, the job interview, and related subjects. College credit for the
courses could be optional.
You may also want to contact agencies that target individuals with disabilities or other needs and
invite them to participate in the job fair. Contact the ITB office for names of employers who have
already participated in correctional institution job fairs, and who may have a branch in your area.
Remember to check local employment (One-Stop Shops) and temporary job service agencies as
possible job fair participants. Also, if an employer has already participated in a prison job fair
elsewhere, this can be mentioned in your invitation letters.
Prepare Inmates for the Job Fair
The selection of inmate participants is important, and preparing them for interviews with company
recruiters is critical. Include those inmates who are eighteen months or less from release, and check
to be sure they have completed a pre-release and/or life skills program.
Pre-release and life skills programs should include preparation of a resume, and completing job
applications in a legible, accurate, and complete fashion. Spend some time on refresher training in
these two important areas, and cover such additional subjects as good grooming and appearance, the
importance of a firm handshake, speaking in a clear, concise, and friendly manner (a few smiles are
in order), responding to the interviewers’ questions in an open and sincere fashion, and avoid finger
and foot “tapping,” and other sign of nervousness. Encourage the participants to practice these
interview skills with each other in advance of the job fairs. A wide variety of job related information
is available in the institution’s Employment Resource Center (ERC).
Each participant should have a folder that includes a resume, copies of work assignment or education
progress reports, an education transcript, education certificates, proof of citizenship or a green card,
and other pertinent information. Inmates should be encouraged to save these folders to use when
they are released to community corrections centers, or directly to their home communities. Picture
IDs, social security cards and driver’s licenses can be added to these folders during post-release
residence in Residential Reentry Centers (RRCs).
Finally, all that takes place during job efforts should stress how important it is that the company and
community representatives leave with a positive impression of the participants, and not with the
stereotypical picture of inmates and prisons they might have had before their participation in the job
fair.
8
Inmates with Special Needs
Keep in mind that hearing or visually impaired inmates, as well as those with physical or learning
disabilities, may need special assistance to prepare for and carry out their interviews. The job fair
committee or coordinator may want to meet with the institution psychologist, supervisor of
education, and the involved case manager, to develop an appropriate plan of action for the effective
participation of inmates with special needs.
Seek the Support of other Departments
Input regarding location of the job fair, custodial assistance, extra staff, and other institution support
can be crucial to job fair success. A plan which involves the entire facility is also more likely to be
approved by the institution’s administration.
Identify a Location
Many facilities have used their visiting room or gymnasium for a job fair. A location with an
adjacent waiting area is desirable to allow inmates a place to prepare between interviews.
Make a “to do” List
Prepare a list of tasks that must be accomplished before the actual job fair date. A time line should
be provided to ensure that all tasks are completed, that there are no conflicts, and that involved
schedules are clear and sequential.
9
2
Keep the Ball Rolling
Establish a date and time
Schedule plenty of time to get everything done. A 90-day lead time provides time for necessary
approvals, and also allows for the invitations to employers, community organizations, faith-based
groups and others.
Identify conflicts
Check other scheduled or potential activities in the institution such as correctional workers’ week and
schedule around them. Propose more than one date to allow administrators flexibility in approving a
job fair date.
Get Approval from the Institution Warden
Most wardens will want information about the “who, what, where, and why” of the job fair. Wardens
will be concerned about security and will want to know what resources will be needed. Ensure that the
warden is fully informed and has approved the scheduled date and type of job fair selected.
Develop a Theme
One of the best methods of getting the job fair off of the ground is to have a theme such as
“Expand Your Mind, Expand Your Opportunities,” “Preparing for the Future,” “From Prison to
Payroll,” and “Careers - 2007.” This sets a positive tone for participants and stimulates creativity
in developing flyers and banners to advertise the event.
Develop a program proposal which describes the job fair by addressing date, location, security,
participation, and expected outcomes. Decide if the interview, information, or combined job fair
model is the most appropriate.
Submit the program proposal
Involve program supervisors in the preparation of the job fair proposal. Make sure they understand
what is wanted by submitting the proposal through them to the warden. Request approval and
provide a proposed date. This allows consideration of potential conflicts with other scheduled
activities. Contact the Inmate Transition Branch (ITB) at (202) 305-3553 (Ray King); or
Barbara McAuliffe at 202-305-4430. You can fax ITB staff at (202) 305-7357.
10
Contact Area Employers
Use all available company names and addresses near the institution. Check with the prison
industries and/or institution contracting officers for a list of vendors that do business with the
institution or that you do business with personally. Use the local library to identify addresses of
large national companies that operate in the local area. Locate the name, title, address, phone and
FAX number of each company’s human resources director or personnel chief.
Make verification calls
People change jobs and telephone numbers. Verify all information before mailing out invitations.
Send letters to employers
Invitations should be sent to at least 50 employers explaining what kind of job fair is scheduled,
and what is expected of them. A sample letter, based upon the mock job fair interview model, is in
Appendix A. Employers who know about other companies that have participated, might be more
willing to consider becoming involved.
You may want to reference that list and enclose faxed copies in your company letters. If at all
possible, you may want to match companies with the qualifications of inmates to be interviewed.
For example, match construction companies with inmate carpenters, electricians and masons. But
this is not always possible and is not necessarily a problem since the purpose of the mock interview
is to give inmates job interview practice and the company/recruiter interaction and evaluation are
most important. Be sure that participating inmates understand this completely.
Follow-up
It is critically important to make follow-up calls to employers to confirm their participation. It may
take several calls to get a return call, and you may want to make a personal visit to the company
representative if you sense significant reluctance to participate. If your local Chamber of Commerce
has agreed to participate in the job fair, one of its representatives may be willing to help encourage
company recruiters to participate also.
Send confirmation letters
Confirm company commitments by sending them a follow-up letter with the date, time, and
location of the job fair. Remind them of any security concerns such as what not to bring inside, the
requirement to have a picture ID, and the importance of arriving early to allow for admission into
the institution. Also, ask them to send a supply of their company’s job application forms to be
filled in for practice by participating inmates.
11
Obtain company information
Ask companies that agree to participate to provide a brochure (or other overview) of their
organization, products, market locations, and a supply of their job application forms. The
information should then be provided to the inmates so they can prepare for their interviews with
company recruiters.
Services for Special Populations
You may want to review the characteristics of the institution’s population to determine if you need
to address the special needs of different groups. For example, if your institution has a significant
number of Hispanic inmates, you may want to invite representation from the Mexican Consulate,
the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and a local Hispanic social service center. Other
groups may require different invitations to other representatives and services.
In addition, you will want to encourage any disabled inmates to participate in the job fair classes
and the job fair itself. After release, they may be eligible for special job training and related
services. Invite staff from the nearest Department of Labor “One-Stop Career Centers” to provide
relevant information.
Provide Good Directions
Provide directions by a separate letter or fax about a week before the scheduled job fair. It serves
as another reminder of participating groups’ agreement to attend. It should also include a request
that they provide notification of any cancellation. Finally, you may want to display appropriate
signs at or near the entrance to the institution to direct community participants to the check-in
location. The institution building in which the check-in area is located is not always readily
apparent to visitors. Some institutions placed incoming banners across the front of the check-in
building.
Directions from North, South, East and West
Provide clear, concise, and detailed directions to the event from at least three different directions,
including important landmarks. For example, the institution water tower.
Schedule Employer Interviews with Inmates
Tight scheduling is important for the event to run smoothly and to remain organized. Allocations
of space for each participating agency or company, needs to be determined and assigned.
Remember to schedule a five minute break between interviews. Interviewer and interviewees need
time to get a drink or to use the restrooms.
12
Use a Scheduling System
A good scheduling system, such as the example in Appendix B, is based on the assumption that
each inmate participant will receive five different interviews. If fewer interviews are to be
provided, adjust the schedule. Half hour interviews work well: a twenty minute straight interview,
a five minute critique, and a five minute break. It is recommended that inmates receive no less
than three interviews.
Make Copies and Distribute Them Widely
Provide inmate participants and employers with a copy of the schedule at each interview table.
The schedule given to inmates should be individualized and reflect only their individual
appointments. Each employer’s schedule will list the name of the inmate and the time for each
interview. Sample schedules are in Appendixes E and F.
Fax Reminders to Employers
A week before the event, each employer should be faxed a reminder that repeats the location, date,
and time of the job fair. Provide a telephone contact number and again ask for confirmation.
Prepare Folders and Handouts for Employers
Provide individualized folders for employers which include the agenda with associated times,
lunch time and menu, location of restrooms, evaluation forms,warden’s biography, and institution
summary. The institution summary should include its history, inmate demographics, staff
demographics, and the amount of money the institution contributes to the local economy. Include
information about other employers who have participated in job fairs in the institution or other
correctional institutions. Include a note that completed job fair evaluation forms should be
returned to the job fair coordinator at the end of the event.
Place the name of the company and recruiter prominently on the cover of the folder. A sufficient
number of interview evaluation forms should be included in each folder, and the job fair
coordinator should remind each recruiter to complete a form for each inmate interviewed, and to
give that form to the respective inmate at the end of the interview. The interviewer’s overall job
fair evaluation form goes to the job fair coordinator.
Note: To Federal Job Fair Coordinators:
Please remember to provide the Inmate Transition Administrator (Central Office) a list of all
inmate participants scheduled to be interviewed, and a list of the company recruiters: name of
recruiter, name of company and company address, as well as any brochures, pictures or media
articles about the job fair.
13
The Check-In Reception Area
You may want to consider decorating the check-in area in some special appropriate way. One
institution displayed inmate art in the reception area and an inmate played a guitar to greet the visitors.
Another institution displayed a large poster which listed the names of the participating companies and
agencies. Others displayed large welcome signs over the entrance to the job fair location.
14
3
The Big Day
The day of the job fair is not the time to find out what has been forgotten. Proper planning will
eliminate last minute questions and stress! Set up the job fair room as early as possible, the day
before is preferable. This will allow everyone time to make any adjustments necessary.
Timing is Everything
The job fair should run from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. This allows time for orientations, closeouts and
evaluations. Break for lunch at 11:30 a.m., if possible, and resume interviewing at 1:00 p.m. This
should be covered in the day’s agenda/time-table.
Set up the Interview Site
Interview tables need to be identified with signs that show what company the recruiter represents.
Interview schedules and evaluation forms should be available in sufficient quantities. Samples of
each are provided in Appendices E, D and F. Arrange a separate waiting room or area for inmates
to spend time between interviews. The noise level in the interview area may be a problem. It is
not essential, but if space dividers are available, use them. Also try to leave enough space between
interview tables to provide some privacy for the interviewers.
Schedule a lunch program for employer representatives and involved staff. If the warden approves,
the participating inmates can join them for lunch. The program might include: 1) remarks by the
Warden, 2) brief description of the Bureau of Prisons and Federal Prison Industries, 3) brief
comments by a Community Relations Board member, or some other appropriate speaker, and 4) a
quick tour of the facility, including UNICOR operations. As an alternative, the remarks by the
warden or others, and a description of the BOP and FPI, can be scheduled during the opening
orientation session.
Brief the Employers on Dos and Don’ts
Before the job fair begins, ensure that employers understand that they can ask inmates about their
offense and incarceration. Tell the employers that it is important to critique the inmate following the
interview, and to try to be specific, highlighting the positive as well as qualities that need work. Give
the employers any other suggestions that might be useful relating to the inmates they will be
interviewing.
Information on interview expectations should also be provided to the employers. A handout such as
the one provided in Appendix J can help employers understand what kinds of interview questions are
appropriate.
15
Close-out is Very Important
The period between 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. should allow a 15 break before the closeout begins, 15
minutes for separate employer and inmate closeouts, and 15 minutes for a combined closeout. This
should allow inmates and employers to share their impressions independent of each other, and then
together. Inmates and recruiters should be reminded to fill out the job fair evaluation forms, see
Appendix G & H, and to hand them to the job fair coordinator. The final closeout should occur in
a room large enough to accommodate all participants, staff facilitators, and institution executive
staff. During the closeout, inmates, staff, and company representatives may be uncertain about
expressing their views about their experiences during the job fair day. It is sometimes difficult to
get the first speaker to express any views. It may be desirable, therefore, after the first two or three
interviews have taken place, after the lunch and the institution tour, to get advance commitments
from several inmates, staff and recruiters that they will express their views during the closeout.
Employer Recognition and Thank You
Recognition builds good will and can be a positive marketing tool for future mock job fairs.
Prepare certificates and have the Warden sign and present them, along with any appropriate
mementos, to employer participants during the closeout. Some institutions have initiated the
practice of having inmates present certificates to the employers and community representatives.
This encourages a personal thank you by inmates to company and community representatives.
Prepare a thank you letter from the warden and mail it out within the first week following the job
fair. Inviting employers who participated in job fairs to the institution’s annual volunteer banquet
will reinforce their job fair experience and provide encouragement for their future job fair
participation.
Conclusion
If all goes according to plan, the job fair experience will be rewarding for all involved. Inmates
will see that company recruiters take them seriously, and view them as potential employees. The
company recruiters will have some of their preconceptions challenged as a result of their positive
experience with individual inmates and prison staff, and they will be impressed with the skilled
inmate labor pool. Bureau staff will be energized when they see how well the inmates conduct
themselves, and how well company recruiters interact.
The evaluations by inmate participants and company representatives will help to identify any
glitches that need to be corrected. The feedback survey forms will help us identify any success
stories. The first job fair will be the most challenging. If an institution decides to make it a
semiannual or annual event, each subsequent event will become better and easier to conduct.
16
______________
Appendix A
Sample Invitation Letter
Jane Friedman Re: Federal Bureau of Prisons
Director of Human Resources Mock Job Fair—Date_______
Waggle Concepts Federal Correctional Institution
330 Second Street Sunnyside, TX
Baltimore, MD 21202
Dear Ms. Friedman: Date
This letter requests you or a representative from Waggle Concepts, as a public service, to spend
_________ from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in prison.
Date
We are seeking employer representatives with relevant personnel experience, to participate in the
Federal Bureau of Prisons mock job fair, to be held at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI),
Sunnyside, MD. Our goal is to provide a mock job fair, designed to help offenders soon to be
released to the community, to sharpen their interviewing and job-seeking skills. Offenders’ ability
to secure gainful employment upon their return to the community can be a critical factor
influencing whether they will become a productive member of society or return to the criminal
justice system.
Personnel and human resources representatives who agree to perform this public service will be
asked to conduct five, one-on-one, 30 minute mock job interviews for offenders soon to be
released from FCI Sunnyside. This is a mock job fair. We are not asking employers to make job
offers to participating inmates. If you prefer, you may want more than one company recruiter to
participate.
On behalf of the Federal Correctional Institution, Sunnyside, we thank you for considering this
request for assistance. We will follow-up with a telephone call next week to determine whether
you will be able to participate in this event. Once participation is confirmed, a packet containing
further information about the ________ event will be sent to you.
Date
In the interim, if you have any questions or need further clarification, please to not hesitate to
contact me at FCI Sunnyside (817) 222-3213 X321.
Sincerely,
Marilyn M. Rowe
Job Fair Coordinator
FCI Sunnyside
17
Appendix B
Sample: Overall Employer/Inmate Interview Schedule
Listed by Inmates to be Interviewed
Inmate # 1 Inmate # 2
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Pepsi Doubletree Suites
09:30 - 10:00 Xerox Corporation IBM
10:00 - 10:30 Doubletree Suites Dell Computers
10:30 - 11:00 IBM K-Mart
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch & Tour Lunch & Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Dell Computers Sears
1:30 - 2:00 Hilton Hotels B.F. Goodrich
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
Inmate # 3 Inmate # 4
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Sears Microsoft
09:30 - 10:00 K-Mart Dell Computers
10:00 - 10:30 Holiday Inns Hilton Hotels
10:30 - 11:00 Xerox Corporation Pepsi
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch and Tour Lunch and Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Shell Oil Corporation Wal-Mart
1:30 - 2:00 Microsoft Sears
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
Inmate # 5 Inmate # 6
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Hilton Hotels Holiday Inns
09:30 - 10:00 Pepsi Doubletree Suites
10:00 - 10:30 Microsoft K-Mart
10:30 - 11:00 Dell Computers Shell Oil Corporation
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch and Tour Lunch and Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Doubletree Suites Dell Computers
1:30 - 2:00 Xerox Corporation Howard Johnson
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
Note: Half hour interviews work well. We are recommending a 20 minute straight interview, a five minute
critique, and a five minute break.
18
Appendix B – Continued
Sample: Overall Employer/Inmate Interview Schedule
Listed by Company
IBM Doubletree Suites
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Inmate # 1 Inmate # 2
09:30 - 10:00 Inmate # 2 Inmate # 3
10:00 - 10:30 Inmate #3 Inmate # 4
10:30 - 11:00 Inmate # 4 Inmate # 5
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch & Tour Lunch & Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Inmate # 5 Inmate # 6
1:30 - 2:00 Inmate # 6 Inmate # 7
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
Microsoft Xerox
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Inmate # 3 Inmate # 4
09:30 - 10:00 Inmate # 4 Inmate # 5
10:00 - 10:30 Inmate # 5 Inmate # 6
10:30 - 11:00 Inmate # 6 Inmate # 7
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch & Tour Lunch & Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Inmate # 7 Inmate # 8
1:30 - 2:00 Inmate # 8 Inmate # 9
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
K-Mart B.F. Goodrich
08:00 - 09:00 Orientation and Continental Breakfast Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 Inmate # 5 Inmate # 6
09:30 - 10:00 Inmate # 6 Inmate # 7
10:00 - 10:30 Inmate # 7 Inmate # 8
10:30 - 11:00 Inmate # 8 Inmate # 9
11:00 - 1:00 Lunch & Tour Lunch & Tour
1:00 - 1:30 Inmate # 9 Inmate # 10
1:30 - 2:00 Inmate # 10 Inmate # 11
2:00 - 3:00 Closeout Closeout
Note: Half hour interviews work well. We are recommending a 20 minute straight interview, a five minute
critique, and a five minute break.
19
Appendix C
Sample Confirmation Letter
Mary Bandonski Re: Federal Bureau of Prisons
Baltimore Self Help Mock Job Fair— Date:
2010 Great Neck Street Federal Correctional Institution
Baltimore, MD 21202 Sunnyside, TX
____________
Dear Ms. Bandonski: Date
Thank you for agreeing to spend a day in prison to participate in the Federal Bureau of Prisons
mock job fair on ________(date) from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Federal Correctional Institution
(FCI), Sunnyside. Please understand that this public service is greatly appreciated by the
participating offenders and staff at the FCI, Sunnyside.
On arrival at 8:00 a.m., you will be served a continental breakfast and the warden will speak to you
at that time. You will also be served lunch at the facility during the noon break. The FCI is
located at 432 Lockup Road (about 1 ½ miles South of the Airport). Next week, we will follow-
up with another reminder notice. At that time we will enclose directions and a map.
As indicated in my previous letter to you, company representatives are being asked to conduct
approximately five mock job interviews. Participating offenders will present you with a completed
“generic” job application or your company’s application form if you provided it. You are
requested to conduct the interview as if the individual is being considered for an entry level
position, or some other appropriate post in your organization. Each one-on-one interview session
will last 30 minutes. The first 20 minutes should be devoted to the interview. We ask that you
devote the last 10 minutes critiquing applicants on their performance during the interview, and
completing the evaluation form for the interviewee.
No special training is necessary, nor will any be provided on the day of the event. However, we
hope that you remember to ask the offenders about their conviction; this is the toughest hurdle they
are going to face in a real job interview and they need to be able to handle it well. We also ask that
you be very honest in your assessment of their credentials and performance during the interview. A
balance is desired between providing encouragement, on the one hand, and not making extreme
remarks such as “You’re so great, I’d hire you in a minute.”
Again, thank you for taking the time from your busy schedule to participate in the mock job fair at
the Federal Correctional Institution, Sunnyside. Please send us 20* copies of a brochure that
describes your company’s operations; or copies of your last annual report. We look forward to
meeting you.
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If you have any questions or need for further clarification, please to not hesitate to contact Marilyn
M. Rowe at FCI Sunnyside (817) 222-3213 X321.
Sincerely,
Marilyn M. Rowe L. B. Frank
Job Fair Coordinator Warden
FCI Sunnyside FCI Sunnyside
* This sentence should only be included in letters to companies large enough to have such
brochures or annual reports. Insert the number you need for all inmate job fair participants.
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Appendix D
Sample Interview Evaluation
Applicant’s Name:
Company Name:
Application Legible? YES NO
Application Complete? YES NO
Good Eye Contact? YES NO
Good Posture? YES NO
Applicant’s Verbal Participation TOO MUCH JUST RIGHT NOT ENOUGH
Would this person be eligible for hire in a “real” interview?
YES POSSIBLY NO
If not, what does the applicant need to work on?
Overall Interview Performance: EXCELLENT GOOD AVERAGE POOR
Comments (Note: Give the evaluation to the applicant at the end of the interview.)
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Appendix E
Sample Interview Schedule (Inmate)
Donald Jones
09:00 - 09:30 am Holiday Inn Hotels
09:30 - 10:00 am Pepsi
10:00 - 10:30 am International Business Machines
10:30 - 11:00 am Target
11:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch
1:00 - 1:30 pm Xerox
1:30 - 2:00 pm American Express
2:00 - 3:00 pm Closeout
(A schedule is provided for each inmate being interviewed)
[Provide inmates with information about each company whose representative will interview
them.]
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Appendix F
Sample Interview Schedule (Employer)
Holiday Inn Hotels
08:00 - 09:00 am Orientation and Continental Breakfast
09:00 - 09:30 am Allan Parker
09:30 - 10:00 am Donald Jones
10:00 - 10:30 am Alan Smith
10:30 - 11:00 am Richard Mohammed-Bey
11:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch and tour of Institution
1:00 - 1:30 pm Hector Garcia
1:30 - 2:00 pm Dennis Davis
2:00 - 3:00 pm Closeout
[Provide inmates with information about each company whose representative will interview
them.]
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Appendix G
Sample Employer Job Fair Evaluation Form
Thank you for participating in our job fair today. Without your help, the valuable information
given to our participants might not reach them. You have truly touched someone’s life.
Please provide the name of your company (organization) _____________________and evaluate
how you feel the job fair went by expressing your agreement or disagreement with the following:
(Circle the number that most closely represents your opinion)
Strongly Disagree Disagree Not Sure Agree Strongly Agree
The event was well organized. 1 2 3 4 5
The job fair met your expectations. 1 2 3 4 5
Before this event you would have
considered hiring an ex-offender. 1 2 3 4 5
Having experienced this event you
would now consider hiring an
ex-offender. 1 2 3 4 5
The applicants were well
prepared to interview. 1 2 3 4 5
You would be willing to participate
in another mock job fair. 1 2 3 4 5
Staff were courteous and helpful. 1 2 3 4 5
Please share any other comments you have about this event:
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Appendix H
Sample Inmate Job Fair Evaluation Form
Thank you for participating in our job fair today, we hope it was an enriching experience. To help
us prepare for and conduct future job fairs we have prepared a list of questions for you to answer.
Please evaluate how you feel the job fair went by expressing your agreement or disagreement with
the following:
(Circle the number that most closely represents your opinion)
Strongly Disagree Disagree Not Sure Agree Strongly Agree
The event was well organized. 1 2 3 4 5
The job fair met your expectations. 1 2 3 4 5
Before this event you were
confident about getting a job. 1 2 3 4 5
Having experienced this event you
are now more confident about job
seeking. 1 2 3 4 5
The employers were well
prepared to interview. 1 2 3 4 5
You would be willing to participate
in another mock job fair. 1 2 3 4 5
Staff were courteous and helpful. 1 2 3 4 5
This was a valuable learning
experience. 1 2 3 4 5
Please share any other comments you have about this event:
_____________________________________________________________________________.
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Appendix I
Sample Staff Evaluation Report
Thank you for participating in our job fair today. Please read and complete the following staff
evaluation report. We appreciate your observations and efforts to enhance the Inmate Placement
Program and its goals.
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this program using either actual observation or from
comments from inmates who actually participated? Circle the number, lowest to the highest, that
most closely represents your opinion.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Lowest Highest
2. If possible, would you like job fairs more often?
No Yes
3. In your opinion, what was the most valuable for the inmates?
Please check one or more:
Pre-Job Fair Classes The interviewers and the critiques
The closeout Other (please describe) __________________
4. What comments did you hear about the program from the inmates, from the recruiters?
5. What would like to see added to the mock job fair program?
6. Do you have any additional comments?
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Appendix J
Sample Interview Questions
Please ask the traditional job interview questions that focus on applicants’ previous experience,
skills, education, and general qualifications. In addition, we encourage you to ask difficult
questions about the applicant’s criminal conviction, previous job terminations, drug or alcohol
problem (if mentioned by the applicant). Their job fair training encourages inmates to answer
these difficult questions in a straightforward, concise manner. It is in their responses that you will
sense whether they have accepted responsibility for their behavior and have taken action to
improve their lives.
Suggested questions include, but are not limited to:
1. Your application indicates that you have a criminal conviction. Will you please explain the
nature of the offense and the circumstances?
2. You indicate that your drug/alcohol problem contributed to your conviction. Where do you
stand with this problem today?
3. How can I be assured that your problems with the law are resolved?
4. What have you done to prepare yourself to return to work and the community?
5. What are three reasons why we should consider hiring you?
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___________
Appendix K
Sample Thank You Letter
Jane Friedman Re: Federal Bureau of Prisons
Director of Human Resources Mock Job Fair–Date:_______
Waggle Concepts Federal Correctional Institution
330 Second Street Sunnyside, TX
Ft. Worth, TX 21202
Dear Ms. Friedman: Date
This is to express our sincere appreciation for your participation in the recent mock job fair held at
FCI Sunnyside. You have performed an important public service. Those inmates you interviewed
gained valuable job seeking experience and will have a greater chance for employment and a
positive life style after release.
We are grateful for your time and we hope that you will consider joining us for future job fairs.
Please share your experience with colleagues and invite them to contact Marilyn M. Rowe, Job
Fair Coordinator, if they are interested in participating in future job fairs.
Marilyn can be reached at (817) 222-3213 X321.
Sincerely,
L. B. Frank
Warden
FCI Sunnyside
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