GET A JOB-READY RESUME—
EVEN WITH GAPS, JOB HOPPING, OR A RECORD.
Start with a free report. If you want, we'll turn it into a resume that survives scrutiny.
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Years in Business
Helping Wisconsin Workers Since 2014
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Resumes Created
Justice-Impacted & Barrier Employment Specialists
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Real Talk, No BS
Honest Strategies That Work
HOW IT WORKS
THE FORGE
Upload your resume. AI analyzes your experience, goals, and challenges. Get a free Career Intelligence Report in 5 minutes.
FREE
THE REFINERY
Your free career workshop. Resume builder, disclosure planner, interview practice, job board, and resources — all saved to your account so you can keep building.
FREE
HUMAN TOUCH
Want a human to review or write it? We offer resume review ($175) and full custom service ($250+). Real person, real attention.
$175-$275
YOUR FREE CAREER TOOLKIT
Everything you need to get hired — free, no catch. The AI tools do the heavy lifting. Troy's time is the only thing that costs money.
THE FORGE
FREEStart here. No account needed.
- •Upload your resume (or build one from scratch)
- •AI analyzes your strengths, skills, and barriers
- •Get matched career paths with salary ranges
- •Download a resume and cover letter
- •If you have a record, get legal context and resources for your situation
Takes about 10 minutes. No signup, no credit card.
Start Free Report →THE REFINERY
FREEKeep building. Create a free account to save your work.
- •Resume Builder — job-specific resumes with guided scaffolding that fades as you improve
- •Disclosure Planner — when and how to talk about your record, with scripts
- •Interview Practice — AI mock interviews tailored to your role and situation
- •Job Board — fair-chance employers matched to your profile
- •Resources — housing, legal aid, transportation, recovery support, and more
Your dashboard saves everything. Come back anytime.
Open The Refinery →WHO WE HELP
Not people with perfect work histories. Real people with real situations.
Criminal Record
Your past doesn't define your paycheck.
Employment Gaps
Incarceration, caregiving, health, life. We frame it so employers listen.
Recovery
The discipline it takes to get clean is exactly what employers need.
Trauma Survivors
DV, trafficking, exploitation — your history doesn't own your future.
Job Hopping
Multiple jobs? We show the pattern, not the noise.
Career Change
Transferable skills, told the right way.
No Degree
Experience beats paper. We prove it.
Returning to Work
Caregivers, veterans, anyone starting fresh.
HOW WE WORK
No Corporate Fluff
We don't write resumes that sound like LinkedIn influencers. We write resumes that sound like you—just the best version of you.
Honest Assessment
If your resume has red flags, we don't ignore them. We address them directly and give you scripts that work.
Real Results
We've helped thousands of people get hired. Not imaginary success stories—real workers in Wisconsin.
I believe everyone deserves a real shot. But I don't believe in false hope.
If you've got 3 felonies from last year and zero work experience, you're not getting hired as a bank teller. That's reality. But you can get hired at a warehouse, a construction site, or a kitchen. Whether your barrier is a record, a gap, or a history you shouldn't have to explain twice — the path forward starts with one honest step. That's what I help with. The first job. The honest path.
COMMON QUESTIONS
How do I write a resume with a felony conviction?
Lead with your strongest qualifications, not your record. Use a functional or combination format that highlights skills and certifications. Address the gap honestly but briefly. We specialize in framing criminal records so employers focus on what you bring to the table.
Is The Forge really free?
Yes. 100% free, no signup, no credit card. Upload your resume and get a Career Intelligence Report in about 10 minutes. The Refinery career toolkit is also free — just create an account. Human resume services ($175-$275) are available if you want Troy to write it personally.
How do I explain employment gaps from incarceration?
Frame the gap around growth and preparation. Mention certifications earned, skills developed, volunteer work, or programs completed during that time. We create specific scripts for addressing incarceration gaps in interviews.
What does Steel Man Resumes specialize in?
Justice-impacted employment. People with felony convictions, incarceration gaps, addiction recovery, trauma histories, homelessness, job hopping, career changes, and no-degree candidates. 900+ resumes over 10+ years.
What are ban the box laws?
Ban the Box laws prohibit employers from asking about criminal history on initial job applications. Fair chance hiring policies delay background checks until after a conditional offer. Laws vary by state. We maintain a comprehensive guide.
How much does a professional resume cost?
All AI tools are free — The Forge report and The Refinery toolkit cost nothing. Human-crafted resumes by Troy start at $175 (1 resume), $250 (2 resumes), or $275 (urgent). The tools are free because they scale. Troy's time is what costs money.
More questions? Check our comprehensive guides or contact Troy directly.
READY TO GET STARTED?
Your free Career Intelligence Report takes 5 minutes. No credit card. No commitment.
Start Free Report Now →