Free reentry employment tool

Translate years of work experience into language employers understand.

ReEntry Job Translator helps returning citizens turn institutional job assignments into clear resume bullets, transferable skills, and interview language employers can understand.

Get Your Free Resume Translation Watch 2-Minute Demo

Built from lived experience. Designed for people coming home, job coaches, case managers, halfway houses, workforce programs, and reentry organizations.

✓ No account required ✓ Private by design ✓ Works on any phone ✓ Free for individuals ✓ Matched to O*NET occupational data ✓ Copy, print, or save as PD

See it work

Watch prison work experience become resume language.

The video shows the process from job assignment to employer-ready language. No long intake, no resume expertise, no confusing steps.

2-minute demonstration of ReEntry Job Translator.

How it works

Three steps. Plain language. Useful results.

The tool works equally well for individuals preparing for employment and for workforce and reentry services.

Enter the job assignment

Choose the closest institutional role and describe the work in your own words.

Translate the work

The tool converts prison work experience into workplace language, skills, and resume-ready bullet points.

Use it for the next step

Add it to a resume, share it with a job coach, or use it to prepare for interviews.

Example translations

Before and after: real examples.

Real job assignments, translated into resume language employers recognize.

Before

Houseman

Cleaned, mopped and swept. Cleaned showers for 100 residents. Emptied trash.

After

Facilities Support Worker

Maintained cleanliness of a large shared-use facility serving 100+ residents on a daily schedule.
Swept, mopped, and sanitized shower areas to meet facility safety and hygiene standards.
Managed trash removal across multiple areas as part of a structured daily routine.

Before

Medical Orderly

Brought sick people to medical. Changed bedding. Emptied medical waste. Helped nurses.

After

Healthcare Support Aide

Coordinated patient transport to medical services, ensuring timely access to care.
Safely handled and disposed of medical waste following facility sanitation protocols.
Assisted nursing staff with patient room maintenance including linen changes.

Before

Education Orderly

Helped teachers hand out materials. Kept the classroom clean. Helped other students with reading.

After

Instructional Support Assistant

Supported instructors with classroom preparation and distribution of learning materials.
Provided peer tutoring assistance to fellow participants in literacy and reading skills.
Maintained an organized and clean learning environment for a classroom of 20+ students.

Returning citizens

For people coming home

Many people worked for years inside but we were never taught how to explain that experience on paper. This tool helps turn that work into language that belongs on a resume.

Resume bullet points
Transferable skills
Interview talking points
Plain language results

Programs and staff

For agencies supporting reentry

Use the translator during job readiness workshops, one-on-one coaching, resume labs, discharge planning, or employment preparation sessions.

Helpful for halfway houses and reentry programs
Supports job coaches and case managers
Works as a quick activity during employment readiness

Built from lived experience

Created by someone who needed this tool.

When I came home, I sat in front of a blank resume with 11 years of real work experience and no idea how to describe it. This tool is what I needed.

I'm in your shoes. I know how it feels. I'm with you.

We had some unique job titles, but the work was real

How can I say I worked as a houseman, a medical orderly, canteen worker, or education orderly? ReEntry Job Translator was built to answer for you.

Common questions

Questions people ask before starting.

No judgment here. These are the things people actually want to know.

Is this really free?

Yes — completely free for individuals. No hidden fees, no premium tier, no credit card required. The tool will always be free for people coming home who need employment help. Organizational licensing for nonprofits and agencies is separate and helps fund free individual access.

Do I need to create an account or log in?

No account. No login. No sign-up. You can use the tool completely anonymously.

Will employers know I was incarcerated from the resume?

No. The output uses standard civilian job language and does not mention incarceration, facility names, or conviction history. Whether, when, and how you choose to disclose your background is entirely your decision. This tool does not make that choice for you.

What if I don't have much work experience from inside?

That's okay. Even participation in GED programs, vocational training, peer support groups, religious programs, or educational coursework can be translated into resume-relevant language. The tool is designed to find value in experiences that might not look like "work" on the surface.

What if I don't have much computer experience?

The tool was designed specifically for people who aren't tech-savvy. If you can fill out a form on your phone, you can use it. The questions are plain, the steps are clear, and there's no technical knowledge required. It works on any smartphone.

Does this work for federal, state, and county convictions?

Yes. The translation tool works regardless of conviction type or facility. The resume output is the same standard civilian job language whether your experience came from a federal facility, state prison, county jail, or a residential reentry program.

Can case managers use this with their clients?

Absolutely. Many case managers use the tool directly with clients during sessions or share the link as a self-service resource. Organizations that want dashboard features, outcome tracking, and bulk access for their full team can inquire about organizational licensing. A 60-day pilot is available.

For organizations

Need reporting, client tracking, or program outcome tools?

ReEntry Job Translator is focused on resume language. For broader reentry program tracking, service coordination, and outcomes reporting, visit ReEntry Compass.

Visit ReEntry Compass