What kinds of work you might find

The jobs available to you depend on your skills, location, work history, and any physical or mental health limits you have. There is no single list that applies to everyone. Instead, you will need to think about what you can do, what you want to do, and what employers in your area are actually hiring for right now.

Some people move into work they did before. Others learn a new skill through a training program or community college. Still others find part-time or seasonal work while they figure out what comes next. The point is not to find the "right" job when ready — it is to find work that fits your situation and pays enough to matter.

If you are coming from a benefits program, you may have access to job training, coaching, or placement services as part of that program. Ask your caseworker what is available before you start looking on your own.

Key Takeaways

  • Your local workforce development board offers free job training, resume help, and job search coaching, and can tell you which skills are in demand in your area.
  • Online job boards like Indeed, LinkedIn, and your state's labor department website let you search by location and skill level, and many show which jobs are hiring most right now.
  • Temp agencies and staffing companies can place you in short-term work quickly, which helps you build recent work history and earn while you look for permanent work.
  • If you have a disability or health condition, vocational rehabilitation programs in your state may pay for training or assistive equipment to help you work.
  • Many employers offer on-the-job training for entry-level positions, so you do not always need experience or a degree to start.

Where to search for jobs in your area

Start with Indeed.com or LinkedIn Jobs — both let you filter by location, job type (full-time, part-time, temporary), and salary range. You can set up alerts so new postings come to your email. These sites show you what is actually hiring right now, not what might hire someday.

Your state's labor department also runs a job board. Search "[your state] job board" or "[your state] labor department careers" to find it. These boards often list local government jobs, which tend to have stable pay and benefits.

If you want work to start soon, contact temp agencies or staffing companies in your area. They place people in short-term jobs — sometimes same-week — and you get paid weekly. This is useful if you need income quickly or want to test out a type of work before committing to it full-time.

Free job training and coaching through your workforce board

Every county has a workforce development board (sometimes called a "one-stop career center" or "American Job Center"). They offer free services: resume writing, interview coaching, job search help, and information about which jobs are actually hiring in your area. Many also run training programs in fields like healthcare, construction, and information technology.

To find yours, search "[your county] workforce development board" or call 211 and ask for the nearest career center. You can walk in without an appointment, though calling ahead can save you time. Bring a photo ID and Social Security card.

Some workforce boards also run subsidized employment programs where they pay part of your wages for the first few months while you work for a real employer. This gives you recent work history and lets an employer see what you can do before they pay your full salary.

Training programs if you need to learn a new skill

Community colleges offer short certificates (6 months to 2 years) in fields like nursing, welding, HVAC repair, and information technology. Many run evening or weekend classes so you can work while you study. Tuition varies by state, but you may be able to pay through federal student aid, state grants, or employer tuition reimbursement.

If you are coming from a benefits program like TANF (Temporary information for Needy Families) or SNAP, your caseworker may be able to refer you to training that the program will pay for. Ask before you enroll anywhere.

Vocational rehabilitation (VR) programs in your state help people with disabilities or health conditions work. They can pay for training, assistive equipment, transportation, or job coaching. To reach your state's VR program, search "[your state] vocational rehabilitation" or ask your doctor or local disability services office for a referral.

Jobs that hire people without experience or a degree

Many employers will train you on the job if you show up on time and work hard. Retail, food service, warehousing, and home care often hire entry-level workers and teach them what they need to know. These jobs do not pay as much as skilled trades, but they are a way to build recent work history and earn while you figure out what you want to do next.

Skilled trades — electrician, plumber, carpenter, HVAC technician — usually require an apprenticeship (3 to 5 years of on-the-job training plus classroom time). You earn while you learn, and once you finish, the pay is solid. To find apprenticeships, search "apprenticeships near me" or contact your local workforce board, which often has connections to union apprenticeship programs.

Government jobs (postal worker, park ranger, administrative assistant) often have entry-level positions that pay well and come with benefits. They require you to pass a civil service exam, but the exam is free and your workforce board can help you study for it.

What to do if you have a disability or health condition

If your disability or health condition limits the work you can do, tell your doctor and ask for documentation of what you can and cannot do. This helps you and an employer understand what accommodations you might need (flexible hours, a quiet workspace, time for medical appointments, and so on).

Your state's vocational rehabilitation program can help you find work that fits your limits. They may pay for training, assistive technology, job coaching, or transportation. You do not have to be on disability benefits to use VR — you just have to have a condition that makes work harder.

Some employers specialize in hiring people with disabilities. Search "disability employment services near me" or ask your local disability services office for a list. These employers understand accommodations and often have flexible scheduling.

Building your resume and getting ready to explore

Your resume does not have to be fancy. It should list your work history (job title, employer, dates), education, and skills. If you have not worked in a while, include volunteer work, caregiving, or classes you have taken — these show you can stick with something.

Your workforce board will help you write or update your resume for free. Bring any old pay stubs, job offer letters, or school records so they can help you remember dates and job titles.

When you explore, follow the instructions exactly. If the posting says to email your resume, email it — do not call or show up in person. If it says to fill out an online form, do that instead of handing in a paper resume. Employers notice when people follow directions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to tell an employer about my health condition or disability?

No. You only have to disclose a disability if you need an accommodation to do the job (like a flexible schedule for medical appointments). If you do not need an accommodation, you do not have to say anything. If you do need one, tell the employer after you are hired or during the interview, whichever feels right to you.

What if I have been out of work for a long time?

Employers care more about what you can do now than about gaps in your work history. If you have been caring for family, volunteering, or taking classes, put that on your resume. If you have been struggling with health or other issues, you do not have to explain that — just focus on what you are ready to do now. Your workforce board can help you talk about gaps in interviews.

Can I work part-time and still get benefits?

It depends on which benefit you are on. Some programs allow part-time work and reduce your benefit by a certain amount. Others have work requirements but let you count training or job search as work. Ask your caseworker before you start working, because the rules vary by program and state.

How do I know if a job posting is real?

Real job postings come from the employer's website, major job boards like Indeed, or your workforce board. Be cautious of postings that ask you to pay money upfront, promise money for little work, or ask for your Social Security number before you are hired. If something feels off, search the company name plus "scam" to see if others have reported it.

What if I cannot find work in my area?

Talk to your workforce board about remote work, which you can do from home for companies anywhere. Ask about training in fields that are actually hiring in your area — your board has data on this. If you are on benefits, ask your caseworker whether you can move to a different area and keep your benefits while you look for work there.