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Monday, August 17, 2015

Conviction Hurting Job Search

Conviction Hurting Job Search


Conviction Hurting Job Search
I was convicted back in 2001 for numerous felonies, 14 to be exact, 13 of them was non sexual related (Stealing off ebay, bomb threats, forgery etc..) Long story short, 6 months after the police raided my apartment and took my computer equipment, I was 4 days shy of taking a plea for Probation AND a hefty fine. Well then the police send a warrant out for my arrest for promoting child pornography, which was total BS. I was running an ADULT website with 9,800 ADULT pictures on my computer, but out of that number, they found 12 pictures of underage (under 18) of teenagers or children. Well I had to withdraw my plea and plead guilty of that charge, otherwise if I took it to trial and fought that, the 29 felonies of stealing and other offenses would not be dropped and would be facing 43 felonies which I WAS guilty of.. So I served 3.5 years in prison on a 10 year sentence, but obviously now I have been a registered sex offender. I am highly qualified in the Audio/Video Field.

Well finding a job is seriously impossible, no matter how qualified I am, no one will give me a chance. I started my own AV Company back in 2006 and with any business its always up and down. Been trying to get out of the business I am qualified to do and get a "stable" job that pays even just more than $10 an hour.. Even though my conviction(s) was 12 years ago and I have been 100% clean since, no one seems to care. They would much rather hire someone with 0 experience and a bad work history than hire someone like me..

Going Through the groups that I have went through while on parole, the highest paid job that I remember an offender having was $9 per hour.. There is no way I can support my family on that income, well I guess I can, but we would be on some kind of welfare forever and live in bad parts of town.. If it wasnt for my 6 year old girl, no doubt in my mind I would have no problem just going back to prison, and that is sad to say but it is so true.

So I guess its time to start applying at fast food places, oh wait been there done that, I had an interview a few months back at BURGER KING, starting pay $8/hr! I couldnt even land that job! Very sad.. The screwed up thing is the only difference between me and a lot of other people in the world is, I got caught and they didnt." I am sure a LOT of us has done something stupid in our lifetime that COULD have landed us in prison, but a LOT of us never got caught..

I can rant and rave for a long time, but I have kept track since 2010 since I have been trying to find a decent job. I have applied at 392 places, been interviewed 72 times and have landed ZERO jobs.. So I guess maybe I need to apply at 392 more places, and maybe, just maybe I might land that $8/hr dream job!

 Conviction Hurting Job Search


Wow, that's quite a story.  Law enforcement is really cracking down on the possession of pornographic materiel containing minors.  In fact, I know of teens who have had to register as sex offenders for having nude pictures of their "friends" on their cellular phones.  I tell these kids that "sexting" pictures of minors is indeed a crime in most states.  I hope people pass this information on.

In your situation, unfortunately, possessing such materials is punishable under the same statutes as rape and other such sex crimes.  No matter what your other convictions are, the sex offense will always attract more attention.  It is also unfortunate that all are lumped together as sex crimes and therefore scrutinized by society at large the same way.

My suggestion to you is to seek employment in the video production field in the adult industry or even as a consultant.  There are sites popping up everyday.  I'm sure there is a market for your skills.  You may also consider finding another niche.  With your knowledge and experience you would be successful marketing a more mainstream product.

My only other suggestion is to contact your local United Way office.  The United Way funds a long list or social service organizations.  You may find an advocacy group that has experience with cases similar to yours or they may every suggest an agency that could use a person with your skills.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful.  Registering as a sex offender has so many restrictions that finding an ordinary job may be otherwise difficult.




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Conviction Hurting Job Search



Conviction Hurting Job Search

Conviction Hurting Job Search

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Felon in North Carolina looking for Job

Felon in North Carolina looking for Job



Felon in North Carolina looking for Job
Hello,

My name is Dylan and I am a two time felon. I have to 3rd degree burglary charges under my belt from 2004-2005 in New Jersey. I moved to North Carolina after Sandy hit the entire state of New Jersey. It is very hard to find work. I can not even get hired at the local McDonald's or other low entry level jobs. I feel like I am at the end of my rope. I have been out of trouble for so many years and still paying for my mistakes today. I feel hopeless. I can't provide for myself let alone for someone else.

I am 27 years old and I just want my life to start. I will take any kind of job but it seems that no one will take a chance on me. I currently live with a friend who has been taking care of me and supporting me. He is falling behind on his bills because of it. I am out of options. I am in a new state where I do not now anyone. No family or friends in the area and no one to help. I am desperately asking you for any help that you can give me.. I live in High Point, North Carolina. I have been rejected from everywhere over and over. Even from temp agencies. I do not know what else to do.

Please help!

 

Felon in North Carolina looking for Job


Hello Dylan,

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble.  I am in New Jersey, and yes Sandy did a lot of damage here.   The very first thing I suggest to every ex-offender and felon looking for jobs is to go to your local One-stop Career Center.  There you will find a number of great resources that can help you find a job or even a
Felon in North Carolina looking for Job
career.  If you need a resume, you can get help getting one.  If you need interview skills, you can get help.  There are also lists of open positions in your area.  In addition, you will find counselors that can give you employment assistance.  Often the counselors know of employers who have hired ex-offenders and felons in the past.

You can find the office in High Point below:

High Point JobLink Career Center
 607 Idol Street
High Point, NC 27262


You say you have applied for temporary employment.  There is a trick to apply for temporary jobs.   The trick is to apply at small independent agencies.  Smaller agencies are a better choice than larger, nationally known ones. Independent agencies are free to hire anyone they choose and are more likely to hire ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.  You may find some in your local telephone directory.  Apply to them as you would any other employer.

Take a look at the video below.






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Felon in North Carolina looking for Job

 
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Monday, August 3, 2015

Felon in PA needs help finding jobs

Felon in PA needs help finding jobs


Felon in PA needs help finding jobs
Hello,

I am contacting you after perusing the Jail to Jobs website and the How Felons Can Get Jobs blog.  I am originally from Philadelphia and am planning on returning there after my time at college (out-of-state). I am a convicted felon (over seven years) and will actively be seeking employment in Philadelphia in the coming year. I would like to know if you have any recommendations for re-entry programs or job placement. While it has been eight years since my last arrest, I am sure that I will still find the same difficulty gaining employment as a recently released ex-offender.

Aside from the past two years (enrolled in college since ‘08), I have maintained full-time employment since 2003. Although I have previously worked with various ministries and organizations, because most of the establishments have primarily focused their programming on adjudicated youth and ex-offenders, my past criminal history has not been a concern. However, as a soon to be college graduate with a great deal of life experience, I am looking to possibly expand my horizons.

I thank you in advance for your time and support and await your posted reply.

Respectfully,

John



 Felon in PA needs help finding jobs




Hello John,

There are a number of sources in the Philadelphia area that help ex-offenders and felons find jobs. I have listed to below.

Best of luck to you.
Metropolitan Career Center/STRIVE Philadelphia
162 West Chelten Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
215-843-6615

Web Site: www.strivecentral.com/sites/national/mcc.htm


Please do not forget to go to your local One-stop Career Center.  You will find a ton of free services and resources that can help you get a job or start a new career.  You can get individual assistance with your job search from counselors.  These services can help get a felon jobs.  You will find your local One-stop Career Center here:


Philadelphia Workforce Development Corporation

1617 John F. Kennedy Boulevard, 13th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19103–1813
215-557-2625

Web Site:

Philadelphia Works Inc.


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Felon in PA needs help finding jobs

 
Felon in PA needs help finding jobs

 

Felon in PA needs help finding jobs

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Sunday, August 2, 2015

Jobs for Ex-offenders: Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help

 Jobs for Ex-offenders:  Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help



Hello. I was looking online and came across your page. I'm a black female age 34. Two years ago I was 8 months pregnant and the father of my child decided to beat me up right in his front doorway. To get away I broke the living room window right next to his doorway and got away as quick as I could. He called the police I assume because he knew if I beat him to it it would fall on him. I wasn't arrested but had to go back and fourth to court and the stress was causing issues with my pregnancy because I was due to have my daughter. My lawyer told me my options. He said if I wanted to get it over with I could plea guilty and just get a misdemeanor which wouldn't affect me going back to work.  Evidently it has because I'm emailing you. I'm getting turned down left and right because I have a misdemeanor in criminal mischief 4th degree. I have been working since I was 13 and not being able to find a job is taking a toll on me. Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Roxie

  
 Jobs for Ex-offenders:  Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help

Hello Roxie,

Not to diminish how you feel, but there are ex-offenders and felons being hired everyday with far worse convictions than yours.  Your lack of success may be more attributed to your approach than your conviction.

Many ex-offenders and felons do not get interviews because they make mistakes on applications.  Your first contact with an employer may be filling out an application.  Employers use applications to decide who to interview and who not to interview. 

Ex-offenders and felons often have a dilemma. "Do I tell the truth and risk not getting an interview?" "Do I lie and hope that no one finds out?" I advise my students to always be honest.  If you are dishonest about having a criminal record, you risk having the truth exposed later.  You may get a job only to lose it after the

employer finds out the truth through a background check or some other means.  You will be fired for being dishonest and falsifying your application not because you have a criminal record.

To give yourself the best chance of getting an interview, you must understand how applications work.  Here are tips to completing an application that will get you an interview.

Follow directions.  Always read the entire application before you begin.  If there is anything you do not understand, ask for an explanation.

Be neat.  Print very clearly using blue or black ink only.  If you don't print well, ask if you may take the application home and bring it back.  Get someone who has neat handwriting to help you.  Always ask for an extra application just in case something goes wrong.  Never, never, never use white out on an application.  Using White out will nullify some applications.  To be on the safe side use an erasable pen.  Never crumple or fold the application.

Answer all questions.  If there are questions that do not apply to you, use the notation “N/A” meaning “not applicable.”  This will let the employer know that you did not overlook the question.  It just did not apply to you.  Completeness counts.  If you have a resume, attach it to the application.  Do not attempt to use the resume in place of a completed application.

Be honest.  Providing false information may be grounds for dismissal later.

Name


Use your legal name.  No nicknames or aliases. 

Social Security Number

If you don't know your social security number, or don’t have the physical card, go to your local Social Security Administration office.  It is listed in the blue pages of your local telephone directory.  You will definitely need this card when you get a job offer.

Address

Use your current address.  Some applications ask for a previous address.  If you do not have a permanent address, ask to use an address of a friend or relative.

Telephone Number

The employer must have a quick and easy way of getting in touch with you.  You must have a telephone number on the application.  If you do not have access to a telephone, I suggest you make arrangements with someone to take messages for you.  Some applications have a space for a message number.  If you find one that does not, simply place the letter “M” before the telephone number.  Ex. M (555) 555-5555.  This will make it clear that the number is for messages.  If you use a cell number, be sure to have a professional sounding message.

How Did You Hear About Our Company?

The employer may want to know how you found out about the company or the opening.  Typical responses are:

Newspaper Ad

Referred by someone (give the person’s name.)

Walk-In

Position Applied For

Be precise about the position you are applying for.  Have a particular job in mind when you apply.  If you are uncertain, contact the company to ask  exactly which positions are available.

Date You Can Start

Never answer “immediately” or “ASAP.”  If you are available today, use today’s date or a date that you will be available.

Salary Desired

I encourage my students to never list a dollar figure.  Never talk about pay or benefits until someone offers you a job.  You may use a figure that is too high and may not be considered because you are asking for more than the position pays.  You may use a figure that is too low and undervalue yourself.  To be safe, use the term “negotiable.”  This means that you will discuss salary when an offer is made.

Education

Starting with your most recent training, list any courses, workshops, seminars, or employment training.

General Information/Special Skills

List any special skills you have that will be of use to an employer. 

Work History

List your past jobs in order beginning with the most recent and work you way backward.  Use the month and year that the job began for you, and the month and year the job ended for you.  If you are unsure of employers and dates, you can contact your local Social Security Administration office.  If your past jobs were on the record, the Social Security Administration should have this information.  You will also need the former employer’s address, telephone number, and supervisor’s name.  Often the application will ask for the name of the position and your pay rate for each job. 

The application will also ask for you to describe your duties, and reason for leaving.  Accepted reasons for leaving are:


Left for better position

Promoted

Layoff

Resigned

Business closed

Seasonal position

Temporary position


Never use the words “fired” or “terminated” if you left a job unfavorably.  “Released,” “involuntary separation,” or “contract ended,”  sound a whole lot better.


References


Employment applications often will ask for references.  Check out this link to an article about References:



Good References help Ex-offenders and Felons get Jobs


Service Record

If you have military experience, list the branch of service, date, and rank of discharge.

Have You Ever Been Convicted of a Crime?

This question is the worst part of any ex-offender’s job hunt.  I have spoken to people who have taken classes that have instructed them to use the response “Will discuss at interview.”  In my opinion, this is not a good thing to do.  The best advice I can give is BE HONEST!  Employers have a responsibility to know as much as possible about potential employees.

Many applications have a Certification/Release Statement that the applicant must sign before the application is accepted.  You'll recognize it as a long paragraph in small print at the end of the application directly above the space for your signature. Read it carefully before you sign. This statement may also be called an Authorization.  The wording may vary but the employer is asking you to certify with your signature that all of the information you have given is correct.  The answer “Will discuss at interview,” does not answer the question.  Another part of this certification is a release that gives the employer access to information provided by past employers, law enforcement agencies, schools and other organizations that may have information about you.

In reference to criminal records, it is necessary to list all relative information.  Include the name of the conviction, date, location, and the disposition (time served, fine and/or probation.) 

Example:

Criminal Mischief 4th degree.    6/19/2011    Seattle, WA     Probation Served (6 mos.)

You may have to practice to fit your response into the space given. 

I hope information is helpful.  Best of luck! 


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Eric Mayo

Jobs for Ex-offenders: Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help


Jobs for Ex-offenders:  Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help

  

Jobs for Ex-offenders:  Lady Ex-offender Needs Job Search Help

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