I have many years experience as a cook. I even worked in the kitchen when I
was incarcerated. Even with all of my experience, I can't find
work. I filled out many applications but I have not
found anything. I really enjoy cooking. I need some help.
A lot of people are
looking for work. Please don't give up. Sometime
ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs have to be a
little creative. I suggest getting your local telephone directory and
make a list of all of the restaurants and bars/grilles in your area. Visit
each one of them and inquire about open positions. Even if they don't have
any openings, leave your contact information and make yourself available
for on-call work. If you can, have personal business cards made up for you
to leave with everyone you speak to. Often restaurants are in trouble
when employees for some reason or another cannot make it to
work.
You could fill in on an as needed basis. I'm sure if you do a good
job, you will be at the top of the list when an opening
arises.
If you cannot find employment right away, consider working as a
temporary employee. Many permanent jobs are filled by people who
started as temp employees. If you do a good job, are punctual and
have a good attitude, you may be hired as a regular employee. Check you
local telephone directory for temporary agencies to apply to.
There are even agencies that specialize in the hospitality industry.
Apply just as you would any other job. Bear in mind that a felon stands a better opportunity by applying to smaller independently owned businesses that larger corporate companies.
A felonfinding a jobwill be easier with hard work and the right
attitude.
I
have three retail thefts at the felony level and one theft by
deception felony as a result of drug addiction. My record dates back as
far as 1999 with my last charge in 2001. I am a Radiation Therapist and a
Radiographer. I worked in the mid west when my record was only 2 years
old now I am in PA and I can't get a job because of my charges. I am so
frustrated I don't know what to do. What does the bonding for felons to
work do. Can you help me...maybe if I get bonded it would be easier to
work.
Can the Federal Bonding Program help felons get jobs?
There are government programs that can help ex-offenders and felons get jobs. One of the most effective is The Federal Bonding Program. Employers may have issues concerning hiring people with have criminal records, poor work history or recovering alcohol or drug addicts. A lot employers are unwilling to hire ex-offenders or felons since they feel their past choices make them more likely to steal, commit fraud or be dishonest in other ways. Many felons are not able to be bonded. A bond is an insurance policy that protects an employer against money or property loss due to employee dishonesty. Certain criminal convictions make many felons ineligible for bonding by private companies. Felons, including anyone with a record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment, and anyone who has ever been on probation or parole, are considered "high risk" job applicants.
The Federal Bonding Program is program sponsored by the Department of Labor. This program was created to assist high-risk, but qualified, job seekers who have bona fide offers of employment. The Federal Bonding Program offers a business insurance policy that protects an employer against any possible losses incurred due to actions by high-risk employees. The program is designed to remove barriers to employment that high-risk job seekers - those who are qualified to work but need a second chance - face. It gives employers an incentive to hire qualified, high-risk job seekers who might otherwise be unable to find work.
These bonds are free of charge to both the applicant and the employer and can be issued for any job at any employer in any state, and covers any employee dishonesty. Any full or part-time employee paid wages (with Federal taxes automatically withheld) can be bonded, including persons hired by temporary employment agencies. Unfortunately, self-employed persons cannot be covered by these Fidelity Bonds. Fidelity bonds can help felons get jobs and can also be issued to cover already employed workers who need bonding to prevent being laid off or to secure transfer or promotion to a different job at their company.
An applicant can be bonded the same day the job offer is made. You can find more information about the program by contacting the addresses below:
I was reading your list of companies that hire felons, and noticed that there were airlines listed. I wanted to ask you about a person with a criminal record becoming a flight attendant. I have a lot of customer service experience and people like me. It seems like a good job for a young person like me. Do you know anything about that?
I have a shoplifting charge. I hope having one charge won't keep me from having a good career career.
Dara
Felon wants Job as Flight Attendant
Hello Dara,
I know of people with criminal records working for airlines. Many people believe that having a record prevents anyone from working at an airline and that is not true. The job applied for and the nature of the criminal offense will always be taken in account.
My suggestion to you, is to contact the airline you were thinking of applying to and speak to the human resources department. That department will be able to tell you if your conviction will prohibit you from being hired in that position. If not, you can find out what the exact qualifications for the positions are and exactly how to apply. Remind the Human Resources representative that you can be bonded. See this post about the Federal Bonding Program here:
I have a job interview next week and I am very nervous about it. I have an interview for a job as a clerk in a title office. I have done this kind of work before but not since my legal troubles. I was involved with a guy who was selling drugs. There were some in my apartment when he was arrested. Because the lease was in my name, I was charged with possession. I wasn't selling but I was charged anyway. I know this will come up on a background check.
Do you think I have a chance to get this job?
Candy
Felon is Nervous about Job Interview
Hi Candy,
You don't know how often I hear stories like this. Too many people get dragged down by people around them and often there are lasting effects. I'm not going into a lecture about choosing better friends, but you knew he was selling, and there are certain risks involved associating with people and their criminal activities.
Hopefully you were honest on your application and you got an interview anyway. If that is the case,
somewhere in the interview, the question is going to come up. You can handle it in three steps.
Own your Mistake - Never blame anyone else for your mistake. Acknowledge your role in your troubles. You could start by saying something like this, "I'm glad you asked me that because I want you to feel comfortable about hiring me. I’ll be honest with you because you have the right to know. I have been in trouble but it didn’t have anything to do with any of my previous employers. I was involved with someone who was into some bad things and I was arrested along with him. I am proud to say that I have put that all behind me.
Focus on the Positive - Shift the conversation away from your problem and on to the things you have done to improve yourself and how you now only associate with people who are doing positive things. Talk about what you have learned through this bad experience.
Talk about your Goals - Without being specific, tell the interviewer that you have goals and this job will help you put your mistake behind you.
Sell your Skills - Talk about your skills, training, education and how they make you an ideal candidate for the job.
Don't forget to be personable and friendly. Get the interviewer to focus on your skills and personality instead of the fact that have a criminal record. Stick to the formula above and you will do well. Remind the interviewer that you can be bonded. Get information about the Federal Bonding Program and how it can help felons get jobs here:
There also may be financial benefits to employers that may also be a selling point. The Work Opportunity Tax Credit offers tax incentives to employers who hire felons under certain conditions. You can find out more about it here:
