Job Opportunities for Felons

Helping a felon get jobs

Greetings,

I was able to read your website, and I am interested in your philosophy. I am a 28 year old felon in Alabama. My crime was credit card fraud and ID theft. Since it was my first conviction, I was granted 1 year parole with court costs. Even though the punishment is light, I am unable to find a job to help pay off the dues and support my family.

I have learned of the Federal Bonding Program, but it doesn't seem to be getting me anywhere. I have been on many interviews where I have put the crimes on the application, but they insist on running a background check, which of course comes up with the convictions. Then they say that I cannot be hired, even though it was on the application before you ran the social security number through.


 

I keep trying somehow, someway everyday; and, I am not picky about jobs. I apply for general labor positions as well as a way to get on my feet. I apply with resumes and cover letters. Is there something else I am missing? Any advice would be welcome.

Sincerely,

Jay



Hello Jay,

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. Finding a job unfortunately is not an exact science. Finding a job with a criminal record is even tougher.

I suggest to all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to tell everyone they know that are looking for employment. Many people got their job leads from people they know. This is called networking. Networking is the most effective method of finding employment leads. Most jobs are never advertised because they are usually filled by personal contacts. In fact, employers would rather hire someone referred to them by people they know rather than to painfully sort through resumes and applications. How many people do you know? Each one of them could potentially help a felon get a job.

• Friends
• Relatives
• Neighbors
• Parole/probation officers
• Members of your religious group (especially ministers, priests, imams, etc.)
• Former teachers
• Former co- workers
• Former employers
• Classmates
• Casual acquaintances
• People you do business with (Hairstylists, barbers, doctors)

Look at the list above. In each group, list five people that you can contact. That is at least 55
people that could help you in your job search. Let each person know that you are looking for a job
and that any information they have for you would be helpful. Have copies of your resume handy
for your contacts to give to other people.

Another suggestion is to locate your local Goodwill. Goodwill hires ex-offenders and ex felons everyday giving them an opportunity to re-enter society.

I suggest to all felons looking for jobs to visit their local One-stop Career Center.  At the center you will find services than can help you find a job including resume preparation, interviewing skills and lists of available jobs in your area.  The center has counselors that provide one-on-one  assistance to get you on your way.  The counselors can also put you in contact with resources that could help you with your growing family.

You can find the center nearest to you at the link below

http://servicelocator.org

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Hello,

My name is Patrick. I am a 37 year old father of six children from Alabama, and I have sustained a blemish of one felony on my record. Both during and after incarceration, I've made every effort to not only enrich my life but enhance it. Since my release in 2009, I've searched and applied for numerous jobs, and basically came up with nothing. I possess an A.S. in Sociology and I am currently six classes away from my B.S. in Applied Computer Science.

I know the economy is in a slump,and there are plenty of people out of work, however, I try to remain optimistic that things will get better. My faith in God is all need to sustain me. The correction system is punitive than rehabilitative. If a person is convicted, serves their time, some forgiveness should be shown and afforded to that person and become a productive citizen. I welcome all resources, literature, and etc. to help me find a career. Please help! Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

Patrick



Hello Patrick,

For many ex offenders and felons searching jobs, the United Way is a great place to begin. The United Way supports a number of organizations that have contacts to open positions. Perhaps a more polished professional like yourself may be better served by contacting your local S.C.O.R.E (Service Corp of Retire Executives) office. As the name implies, there are retired executives who serve communities in many ways. Perhaps you may find valuable contacts that could help you locate your next opportunity.

Another suggestion I often make to ex-offenders and felons looking for employment is to apply with cover letters and resumes. Often when applicants apply directly to employers this way, the question of a criminal record never comes up. This will give a prospective employer the opportunity to meet the man behind the resume.

One final suggestion, I also suggest to those with college degrees to look to local community colleges. Often there are adjunct instructor positions available teaching basic subjects like English or basic math or perhaps there is an opening teaching your specialty.

I hope this helps.

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 Hi!

My name is Jessica. I am coming to you because I need help. My husband and I just had our first son and recently moved to Waco, TX and have been looking for jobs but my husband has three felonies on his record from years ago. We have been looking for almost three months and every time he finds something he is turned down because of his background. I wanted to know if there is anything that you can think of that would help us find him a job. I have also been thinking about opening a staffing agency that helps felons and other criminals find jobs. I do not have the money to start it right now but I know it would be helpful to many people if I could make it work. Do you have any ideas on this or where I could find more information on it.

Thank you,



Hello Jessica,

As you noticed on several posts on this blog, my first suggestion to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is the local One-stop Career Center. This is a really underutilized resource. Each state has a network of centers that provide an assortment of free services that can help you in getting a job. In addition, these centers provide a long list of services that can help people get jobs and even train them for new careers.  You could also get referrals to help with your family, child care, transportation assistance and other resources that could help get you on track

Career planning and counseling

Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)

Computers with internet access and word processing

Daily access to thousands of job listings

Job postings and referrals


Each center has trained counselors that provide one-on-one assistance. Many of them have experience
assisting ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs or know of employers in your area who have hired people with criminal records.

The center in Waco is:

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas - Waco

1416 South New Road
Waco, TX 76711-1335
phn: 254-296-5200

I hope this helps.

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Hopefully you can help me.

I am a single mom of 3 children. I was charged with a felony for conspiracy in 2007 in the Midwest. I never served any jail time, just 3 yrs of probation. You would think that with this being the ONLY time I had ever been in trouble with the law, and with no jail time served, people would be a little more understanding? But they are not!

The last time I worked was 2009 (because I got the job BEFORE the charge hit my record.) Since 2009, I have bounced from family member to family member, drawing unemployment to support my kids, all the while searching for work and nothing! I moved to Florida with a family member in 2010 because supposedly jobs were more plentiful here. My unemployment has run out and I am at my wits end! I have looked into free or low cost training programs and they all are either designed for people without any criminal record OR people who HAVE served jail time!

I have an Associate of Liberal Arts degree and am a reasonably intelligent person. I have a physical disability, so although I could do manual labor, I would not be able to do it for long periods of time. I could possibly get hired at a fast food joint, but how can I support a family of 4 on minimum wage? The family member I am living with is dropping hints that she is tired of supporting my kids and I and I am afraid we are going to lose our home.

I am a good person and I never hurt anyone, did drugs or anything of the sort. I got in with a group of people doing the wrong thing in the name of supporting my kids and am truly sorry for what I have done. I am paying restitution on time every month and just want to start my life over and be a productive citizen! I am searching for 3rd shift work so that I can be home for my children during the day. I just need someone to give me a chance! So if you know of any 2nd chance programs that would help train a single mother to work a job that would pay enough to support her children please let me know!


 Thank you in advance...

Sincerely,

Mother-at-her-wits-end.



Hello ,

As you noticed on several posts on this blog, my first suggestion to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is the local One-stop Career Center. This is a really underutilized resource. Each state has a network of centers that provide an assortment of free services that can help you in getting a job. In addition, these centers provide a long list of services that can help people get jobs and even train them for new careers. Some services available are:

Career planning and counseling

Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)

Computers with internet access and word processing

Daily access to thousands of job listings

Job-related magazines and local newspapers

Job postings and referrals

Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use

Each center has trained counselors that provide one-on-one assistance. Many of them have experience assisting ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. As stated in a previous post, you can find your nears center here:

www.servicelocator.org

I hope this helps.

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My son is 29 yrs old and has two theft felonies in his background. But thanks to a good woman and two wonderful sons age 7 and 4 he has turned his life around. For 2 1/2 yrs he has gone to the methadone clinic, no longer hangs with any of the drug friends, went to Kaplan college and got his electrical technician certificate, has 6 years experience framing/roofing/plumbing/remodeling/tree trimming but just can't find work that lasts for more than a few days at a time. All he wants is a chance to earn enough money to feed his children and pay his electric bill. We have put out applications everywhere but the minute he is truthful and tells the employer of his criminal record (which is has a written copy he can show them) they just treat him like he is dirt.

Where can we turn? He is a hard worker.

Nancy


Hello Nancy,

Your son is ahead of most ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. Even though things might seem tough, people with criminal record might have to thing outside-the-box when it comes to looking for work. He has skills in electrical work and carpentry. He could start a home handyman business the he can can use to build a good income. If he is willing to put in a little work, he could turn odd jobs into a full time home handyman business. You'd be amazed how many people can't put in a light switch or fix a leaky faucet. You could offer to do small jobs at a fraction of what big time contractors charge while guaranteeing quality work.

Starting his own business will be a lot of work. He would have to be prepared to work long hours finding customers and promoting his business. The least costly way to start is to print up flyers with tear off tags, and post them on community bulletin boards. Post them in grocery stores, laundry rooms, community recreation centers, bus stops, and churches. Highlight the quality of his service and his dependability. He should always include phone number tear off tags on the flyer, so interested people can just take one phone number.

Another interesting option is to make a list of local contractors and offer to himself out as a day laborer. There are probably quite a few contractors in your area looking for day laborers as a way to keep their own costs down. He could get a list of contractors that have recently been issued building permits at your local municipal building. This is public record so he should have no trouble getting that information.

Still another option is to find landlord with multiple rental properties. Landlords need dependable people to keep the properties up and do repairs that tenants need done.  If he finds one with enough rentals, it could be a full time job that would pay well.  One great way to find a long list of property owners is contacting your local office of Housing and Urban Development.  HUD pays subsidies to landlords on behalf of tenants.  In order to get payments, the properties must meet HUD standards and are inspected frequently. 

If his dream is finding regular employment, he shouldn't give up and he could earn a living in the meantime.

I hope this helps.

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