Part 32 — AtWork Staffing

Industry: Staffing / Temp-to-Hire
Typical Opportunities: Warehouse Labor • Construction Labor • General Labor

For someone returning to the community after incarceration, finding that first job can be one of the most important—and sometimes one of the most difficult—steps toward rebuilding a stable life.

That is why staffing companies such as AtWork Staffing can be an important part of the reentry employment landscape.

AtWork regularly recruits entry-level workers for employers throughout the Puget Sound region. Depending on current openings, opportunities may include warehouse work, construction labor, production, general labor, and other positions where employers are looking for people who are ready and willing to work.

Why Staffing Agencies Matter in Reentry

A person coming home from incarceration may have the skills and determination to work but still face barriers when applying directly to employers. There may be gaps in employment history, limited recent references, or a criminal record that makes getting through the traditional hiring process more difficult.

Staffing agencies can provide another pathway.

Temporary and temp-to-hire assignments give job seekers an opportunity to demonstrate something that cannot always be seen on an application: how they actually perform on the job.

Show up on time. Be dependable. Follow directions. Work safely. Learn quickly. Treat coworkers with respect. Come back tomorrow and do it again.

For someone rebuilding a work history, every successful shift can become part of a new track record.

Temporary Work Can Lead to Something More

Some people dismiss temporary employment because they are looking for a permanent job. But temporary work can serve an important purpose.

It can provide immediate income, recent employment experience, new references, an opportunity to learn additional skills, and sometimes a pathway into permanent employment.

For individuals returning from incarceration, that first opportunity can be especially valuable. You do not necessarily have to find your forever job on your first day home. Sometimes the goal is simply to get your foot back in the door, prove yourself, and keep moving forward.

Employers who are willing to focus on reliability, work ethic, attitude, and determination may discover that justice-impacted applicants can become some of their strongest and most loyal employees.

Example Puget Sound Location

AtWork – Tukwila
130 Andover Park E, Suite 100
Tukwila, WA 98188

Job seekers can contact or visit the office regarding current opportunities. Positions and hiring needs change frequently, so applicants should be prepared to discuss their availability, transportation, work experience, physical capabilities, and the types of jobs they are willing to accept.

Application Pathway

Applicants can inquire at the local AtWork office or apply online through the AtWork website. Because staffing needs can change quickly, some placements may move considerably faster than a traditional hiring process.

When applying, we encourage job seekers to be prepared:

Bring identification and employment documents when requested. Have a simple, updated resume available. Know what hours and shifts you can realistically work. Be honest about transportation limitations. Dress appropriately, communicate professionally, and treat the staffing interview just as seriously as an interview directly with an employer.

Most importantly, follow up.

Submitting an application is only the beginning. Opportunity does not always come looking for us. Sometimes we have to keep knocking on doors until one opens.

A Message to Employers

At Compass Reentry Peer Support, we believe employment is one of the strongest foundations for successful reentry.

A job provides much more than a paycheck. Employment can create routine, responsibility, confidence, purpose, independence, and a renewed sense of belonging in the community.

Second-chance employment does not mean lowering workplace standards. It means giving qualified people an opportunity to demonstrate that they can meet them.

When employers look beyond someone’s past and consider who that person is today—and who they are working to become—they can help change a life while gaining a motivated employee.

One opportunity can become the beginning of an entirely new direction.

Are You a Second Chance Employer?

If your company hires individuals who are rebuilding their lives after incarceration, Compass Reentry Peer Support would love to hear from you and consider featuring your organization in a future Second Chance Employer Spotlight.

Our goal is to connect justice-impacted job seekers with employers who value reliability, determination, accountability, and a willingness to work.

Compass Reentry Peer Support
We walk with people until they can walk with confidence.

Website: www.compassreentrypeersupport.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 206-557-8593