Best Job & Career in Tennessee — 19 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 Tennessee

Tennessee circuit and chancery courts hear family matters in each of its 31 judicial districts, with some counties operating juvenile courts for unmarried-parent custody. Tennessee Child Support Services operates under DHS. Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga are the major metros. Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee, Memphis Area Legal Services, and the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic and Sexual Violence serve women.

19 Resources

1. Tennessee Department of Labor - American Job Centers — Free

Job search assistance, resume help, and career counseling for women statewide. 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.

615-741-6642 · 220 French Landing Dr, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

2. Nashville Career Advancement Center — Free

Career training, job placement, and workforce development for Nashville women. 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.

615-862-8898 · 700 2nd Ave S Suite 300, Nashville, TN 37210 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

3. Workforce Investment Network - Memphis — Free

Job training, career services, and employment resources for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Memphis. 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.

901-636-7676 · 480 Beale St Suite 268, Memphis, TN 38103 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

4. Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee — Free

Career solutions, job training, and placement services for women seeking employment in Nashville. 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.

615-742-4151 · 937 Herman St, Nashville, TN 37208 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

5. Women's Business Center of Tennessee — Free

Business training, mentoring, and resources for women entrepreneurs statewide. 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 9am-5pm.

615-963-7179 · 330 10th Ave N Suite J-100, Nashville, TN 37203 · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Southeast Tennessee American Job Center — Free

Employment services and career development for women in the Chattanooga area. 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.

423-634-1288 · 4960 Brainerd Rd Suite A, Chattanooga, TN 37411 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

7. Knoxville Area Urban League — Free

Job readiness training, placement, and career coaching for women entering or advancing in the workforce in Knoxville. 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 8:30am-5pm.

865-524-5511 · 1514 E 5th Ave, Knoxville, TN 37917 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm · Visit Website

8. Tennessee Small Business Development Center — Free

Free business counseling and training for women starting or growing businesses in Nashville. 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.

615-532-5315 · 312 Rosa L Parks Ave, Nashville, TN 37243 · Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm · Visit Website

9. Project Return - Nashville — Free

Employment services and career support for women with criminal backgrounds reentering the workforce in Nashville. 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 8:30am-4:30pm.

615-327-9654 · 1711 Church St, Nashville, TN 37203 · Mon-Fri 8:30am-4:30pm · Visit Website

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. Year Up — Free

Free 1-year career training program for young adults 18-29 leading to corporate apprenticeships for women entering or advancing in the workforce. Services include resume help, interview prep, job placement, and skills training. Available online 24/7 at yearup.org with no registration required.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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 Tennessee?
Women's Corner tracks 19 job & career resources for women in Tennessee.
Are job & career resources in Tennessee free?
19 of the 19 listed job & career resources in Tennessee are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Tennessee have job & career resources?
Listings span cities including Nashville, Memphis, Chattanooga, Knoxville.
What are some examples of job & career resources in Tennessee?
Featured entries include Tennessee Department of Labor - American Job Centers, Nashville Career Advancement Center, Workforce Investment Network - Memphis, Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Women's Business Center of Tennessee.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
9 of 19 Tennessee 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.