Designing Digital Tools to Support Online Job Search for Returning Citizens

Abstract

Finding employment is extremely challenging for returning citizens – formerly incarcerated individuals – as they face additional barriers due to their criminal records, gaps in employment, and limited experience with digital technology. Using design studio workshops and focus groups, we explored how returning citizens in the United States experience digital job search and how digital platforms and job search tools could be improved. We find that returning citizens are uncertain about when and how to disclose their felony status, and develop unique tactics in response. When faced with concerns about employment discrimination, especially racism, returning citizens maintained a practical outlook. And, participants expressed specific features they sought in technology platforms for job search: clear, simple job descriptions; auto-fill for commonly occurring input fields; and options for human assistance. Throughout, we pay special attention to Black/African American returning citizens, who have historically been discriminated by the criminal justice system in the United States.