Navigating the job market in sobriety is a major goal for so many people. After struggling with addiction and possibly being unemployed for a while, finding work gives you the opportunity to rebuild your life. You’ll be able to apply your strengths and learn new skills as you pursue exciting new opportunities.  

Finding a job will allow you to build self-esteem and confidence as you acquire your own income and work toward goals like securing your own housing or paying for a vehicle. A job also gives you a sense of purpose every day. Rather than wondering what to do with your time, you have the ability to work hard and feel proud of your efforts and contributions. 

Benefits of Employment in Recovery

Getting out into the workforce is something that can be transformative for a recovering addict. When your life has revolved around substance use for so long, it’s easy to lose touch with all the other things life has to offer. This includes the sense of pride, fulfillment, and confidence you can achieve by going to work each day and being a contributing member of society. 

Jobs provide much-needed structure and stability for individuals in recovery. They give you a reliable schedule that helps you stay consistent with other goals and lifestyle changes as well. For example, because you may have a job that starts at eight in the morning, you are more encouraged to prioritize a nightly routine and get enough sleep. 

Jobs also provide social connections. You can interact with your coworkers and possibly customers each day to experience a sense of connection and belonging. It may sound extreme, but you shouldn’t rush to underestimate how even a casual “How are you?” and short conversation about the weather can impact your mood.  

Another major benefit of a job while in recovery is financial stability. Rather than rely on loved ones or struggle through poverty, you can feel proud for having your own income. A paycheck also opens the door to other essentials like housing, food, clothing, and transportation. 

A job also helps you stay committed to long-term sobriety. When you have something you are a part of, it becomes a source of motivation and inspiration. When cravings strike, you’ll have a strong reason to fight them and avoid relapse. 

Assessing Readiness for Employment 

The first step of career development in recovery is self-assessment. You should be willing to acknowledge when you are or are not ready to work. This is important because individuals who enter the workforce too soon may have a higher risk of relapsing due to stress.  

Once you’ve gained a foothold on your addiction, it becomes easier to manage work stressors, and you’re less likely to be overwhelmed by strong emotions that feel out of your control. 

There are several factors to consider when deciding if you’re ready to find a job during recovery:  

• How long you’ve been sober. The biggest thing to consider is whether you’ve been sober long enough to confidently say you can work without recovery being impacted. Sustained recovery is considered one to five years after quitting. It may take several months or even a year or more before you are ready to work. You could also consider starting a part-time job or contract work before moving into a full-time position.
• Your skills. Sobriety is built on skills. Have you developed the emotional regulation strategies and stress management skills you need to work confidently and comfortably? Do you feel you have the skills to communicate well with others? Do you have self-awareness of your triggers and strategies in place to cope with them? 
• Recovery habits. During your recovery, you should regularly attend meetings and actively work with a support group, therapist, or counselor. They can offer support and be a valuable source of feedback as you navigate your job search.
• A record of success. It’s best for people to wait to re-enter the workforce until they have a proven record of sobriety without relapse. Once you’ve achieved a certain level of stability, then you can consider looking for work. 

It takes time to be ready for employment. Go easy on yourself, and have the courage to admit when you still need to work on some skills before you’re able to work. The time, energy, and honesty you invest in improving yourself and maintaining your sobriety will be worth it. 

Exploring Employment Opportunities 

Navigating the job market in sobriety can feel overwhelming. If you’ve been out of work for quite some time, you may not even be sure where to begin. The first step is writing a resume. Many rehabs help with this as part of their aftercare services; you can also ask your therapist, counselor, or support group members if they would be willing to help. 

There are also amazing free resources online to help you write a resume. Indeed, one of the top job search sites online has a detailed guide on how to write a resume with examples. The guide offers tips for choosing the right resume format so that you can highlight your strengths, skills, and experience appropriately. It also walks you through every part of a resume so that you can confidently write your own.  

If you are worried about entering the workforce with little or no experience, Coursera can help. Coursera is an online education site that offers classes through colleges and universities around the world. Their no-experience resume guide can help you identify a new job, even if you’ve never worked in an industry before. 

You have plenty of options for exploring employment opportunities, including using online job boards such as Indeed and Glassdoor, networking with people you know or on LinkedIn, using a staffing agency, or attending a vocational training program. 

Choosing the Right Industry 

To help you succeed, make sure you explore your career options before applying. This can help you avoid submitting job applications to positions that do not align with your career jobs.  

Ask yourself what type of job you would like. Do you enjoy interacting with people, or do you want a job that is more self-directed? Are you comfortable sitting in an office setting for most of the day, or would you prefer to work in a more fast-paced, energetic environment? Do you have any interests that could guide you toward a career, such as cars or beauty?  

Remind yourself that the first job you get during recovery does not have to be your forever career. Accepting a position as you develop skills and career goals, expand your education, or earn certifications is okay. What matters most is finding roles that allow you to earn an income, build self-confidence, gain experience, and grow as a person through recovery. 

Building a Strong Resume and Cover Letter 

Your resume outlines your work experience, education, skills, and objectives as a job candidate. Don’t worry if you do not have an extensive work history or any relevant experience. There are many entry-level positions you can apply for with the right resume. 

Building a strong resume requires: 

• A clear objective statement that describes who you are and what you want to achieve. Frame this through the lens of how you can apply your skills and strengths to improve a business’s operations.
• A list of relevant skills you have to offer. You should have a combination of technical skills that relate to a job and soft skills that everyone needs to succeed, such as teamwork and good communication. 
• Any accomplishments you may have, such as being on the honor roll in school, achieving a certificate, or past achievements in previous jobs. 
• Your work history and a short description or bulleted list of what your roles, responsibilities, and accomplishments were at each position. 

As a general rule, you do not need to include any work history beyond the last 10 years. You should also not list your high school if you have a college degree, but you can include it if you have completed your diploma, earned a GED, and/or are currently attending a community college or vocational school. 

Writing a Cover Letter 

A cover letter should only be one page long. In it, you want to express your personal interest in the role and why you feel you would be a good candidate. To end the letter, you can say something like, “I am excited about the opportunity to discuss this position further.” Thank the reader for their time, and sign with your name. 

It’s ideal to write a fresh cover letter for every job you apply for. If you use a template, make sure to personalize it by highlighting the company’s values and how they align with your own. Tie your own skills and strengths to the responsibilities of the position you’re applying for.  

Navigating the Job Search Process 

Finding a job in recovery is typically done online. You visit online job boards like Indeed, Glassdoor, Monster, and ZipRecruiter, search for job listings in your area and industry, and then apply for them one by one. 

Be sure to examine job listings online carefully. Avoid providing personal details such as your Social Security Number or ID, as these are not necessary to apply for a position.  

Once you apply for jobs, you will wait to hear back from companies. They will either request a job interview or let you know they have decided to move forward with other candidates. This is a normal part of the job search process, so don’t let it discourage you when the first rejections roll in. Keep applying, and be persistent. Every denial you get is an opportunity to apply for another position. 

Aim to apply for at least five jobs each day. If you can do more, great! Just focus on applying to jobs that you genuinely feel you can do and would be a good fit for. It isn’t a valuable use of your time to apply for jobs you are uncertain about, especially since receiving more rejections can negatively harm your self-esteem. 

Instead, focus on your own skills, know your strengths, and remember your worth. Network online, build connections, and keep trying until you land a position. 

You can also look for jobs in person. If you are open to working in hospitality, retail, or food service, consider entering local establishments with a copy of your resume and leaving it with management. They may also request you fill out an online application. 

Interview Preparation and Success 

Think of a job interview as a conversation. You are going to discuss your skills, strengths, and goals with a hiring manager to determine if a job is the right fit for you at this time.  

Some jobs have multiple interviews where you meet with management and team members. This can be nerve-wracking, but remember, if you show up as yourself and are authentic, honest, and professional, you can’t go wrong. Even if you don’t get a job you interview for, you can feel confident knowing you did your best. 

Be sure to show up at an interview with curiosity, enthusiasm and a go-getter attitude. You are not required to disclose your sobriety status to anyone, but drug testing may be required in many jobs.  

If the topic of your addiction and recovery arises, address it with honesty and enthusiasm. You have nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, your commitment to getting sober and overcoming addiction are strengths that can further prove you are a dedicated, hardworking person who has the strength and willpower to overcome challenges with positivity.  

Maintaining Sobriety in the Workplace 

It is important to remind yourself that you are always in recovery. This means avoiding triggers and not making exceptions to boundaries you’ve put in place to protect your sobriety.  

Practice self-care by taking short breaks throughout the day. Practice mindfulness, and when you need help, seek assistance. This could be talking to your therapist, support group, or, if necessary, your supervisor. 

While you aren’t required to tell anyone about your recovery or history, it may be helpful in some cases. For example, if you need to schedule accommodations to attend group therapy or an IOP program, it might be helpful to let your employer know why you must work different hours.  

Remember that addiction is your story, and you aren’t forced to talk about it with anyone if you aren’t ready or don’t want to. Many people want to enjoy a fresh start in their new jobs without bringing up substance use, and that is perfectly fine. Disclose things about yourself as needed, on your own time, and only offer as much detail as necessary. There is no need to reveal your personal history in-depth to the people you work with. 

Empowering Recovery Through Employment 

Everyone needs a sense of purpose. A job provides structure and meaning for people in recovery. With the right skills and patience, you can set career goals and begin working toward a bright future that gives you the stability you need to stay sober and enjoy life. If you need help taking the next steps toward recovery from substance abuse, we can help at Liberty Bay Recovery Center with inpatient and outpatient programs.