Best Job & Career in Pennsylvania — 15 resources

About Job & Career for Women

Job and career resources for women run through the 2,400+ American Job Centers (AJCs) nationwide, the Department of Labor's Women's Bureau, and SBA Women's Business Centers. AJCs offer free job search, resume help, and WIOA-funded training (often

0,000+ in tuition for in-demand occupations). WANTO grants fund women entering nontraditional trades like construction, electrical, and HVAC. Registered Apprenticeships pay workers during training, and organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, Nontraditional Employment for Women (NEW), and Dress for Success support entry and re-entry. For formerly incarcerated women, programs like the Center for Employment Opportunities provide transitional jobs. This directory includes AJCs, WBCs, apprenticeships, and women-focused workforce programs.

Job & Career in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Courts of Common Pleas handle family matters in each of its 60 judicial districts. The Pennsylvania Child Support Program operates through county domestic relations sections. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Allentown, Erie, and Reading are the major metros. Community Legal Services of Philadelphia, Neighborhood Legal Services, MidPenn Legal Services, and the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) serve women.

15 Resources

1. PA Department of Labor & Industry — Free

State employment services for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Harrisburg. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(717) 787-5279 · 651 Boas St, Harrisburg, PA 17121 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. PA CareerLink Philadelphia — Free

Career centers for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Philadelphia. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm.

(215) 557-8380 · 1617 JFK Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19103 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

4. Goodwill Industries — Pittsburgh — Free

Job training and employment placement for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Pittsburgh. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(412) 481-9005 · 118 52nd St, Pittsburgh, PA 15201 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. PA Small Business Development Center — Free

Free business counseling for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Pennsylvania. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(215) 898-1219 · Multiple PA locations · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Year Up Philadelphia — Free

Free workforce training for young adults for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Philadelphia. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Many services are free; some require referral from a partner agency or workforce program. Open Mon-Fri 8am-5pm.

(267) 928-0360 · 1528 Walnut St Suite 2000, Philadelphia, PA 19102 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

7. CareerOneStop — Free

US Department of Labor career, training, and job search portal. Find American Job Centers near you for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at careeronestop.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

8. America's Job Centers — Free

Free in-person career help, training referrals, and job search assistance at 2,400+ AJC locations nationwide for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at careeronestop.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

9. DOL Women's Bureau — Free

US Department of Labor agency promoting good jobs and equity for working women. Resources and data. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at dol.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. Dress for Success — Free

Free professional attire and career development services for women entering the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at dressforsuccess.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. Bottomless Closet — Free

Free interview-appropriate clothing and career development for women seeking economic independence. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at bottomlesscloset.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Goodwill Career Services — Free

Free job training, career counseling, and placement at Goodwill centers nationwide for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at goodwill.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Women Employed — Free

Improving the economic status of women through advocacy and career navigation services. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at womenemployed.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. SCORE — Free Business Mentors — Free

Free mentoring and business education for entrepreneurs, including women business owners. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at score.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. SBA Office of Women's Business Ownership — Free

US Small Business Administration support for women entrepreneurs including Women's Business Centers. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at sba.gov with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many job & career resources are in Pennsylvania?
Women's Corner tracks 15 job & career resources for women in Pennsylvania.
Are job & career resources in Pennsylvania free?
15 of the 15 listed job & career resources in Pennsylvania are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have job & career resources?
Listings span cities including Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh.
What are some examples of job & career resources in Pennsylvania?
Featured entries include PA Department of Labor & Industry, PA CareerLink Philadelphia, Women's Business Development Center — Philadelphia, Goodwill Industries — Pittsburgh, PA Small Business Development Center.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
6 of 15 Pennsylvania job & career listings include phone numbers.
Where do I get free job training?
Your local American Job Center (find at CareerOneStop.org or call 1-877-872-5627) offers free training, resume help, and job placement through the WIOA program. Goodwill, Dress for Success, and Bottomless Closet provide job-readiness, interview clothing, and coaching. Community colleges run short-term certificate programs (CNA, medical billing, IT) under
,000 that lead to immediate jobs.
Are there programs that hire single mothers?
Yes. Many employers partner with Goodwill, YWCA, and Workforce Boards on second-chance and single-mom hiring tracks — childcare assistance, flexible schedules, and tuition reimbursement included. Look at 'Family Forward NC' style state initiatives, certified Family-Friendly employers, and federal contractors (required to support working parents). Healthcare and logistics are the fastest-growing single-mom-friendly fields.
How do I write a resume after years out of the workforce?
Skip the chronological format — use a functional or hybrid resume that leads with skills (organization, budgeting, time management, problem-solving from caregiving counts). Reframe volunteer work, PTA, and freelance work as professional experience. Free help: American Job Centers, Dress for Success Career Center, LinkedIn's free resume builder, and the SBA Women's Business Centers.
What if I have a criminal record?
You still qualify for most jobs — Ban-the-Box laws in 37 states delay background questions until later in hiring. Federal contractors can't ask about records on the initial application. The Federal Bonding Program insures employers against loss for hiring you. Many states allow expungement of certain records after a waiting period — ask legal aid about clearing your record.