For Ex-offenders and Felons: Start a Business or Get a Job?

For Ex-offenders and Felons: Start a Business or Get a Job?

 

Felons Cook Up Legit Business

With ‘Cornbread Hustle’

I get many questions from ex-offenders and felons concerning getting jobs.  Sometimes getting jobs is not the best choice for ex-offenders and felons. Starting a business has advantages that traditional jobs do not.  You may have skills that could turn into a successful career or be the start of a great new business. Ex-offenders and felons must weigh the options to determine what is best for them.

There are pros and cons to both choices.

 

  

For Ex-offenders and Felons: Start a Business or Get a Job?

Having a Job 

Benefits - Many full-time and some part-time jobs offer company-sponsored benefits. Frequently, the combined value of these benefits is worth a third or more of the dollar figure salary. Some of these benefits include 401(k) retirement plans,  Health/Dental Care and and paid sick and vacation days.  These are very valuable reasons to have a job.

Skill Building - Most jobs are valuable opportunities to learn skills that can be used to advance at the place you are working or take advantage of opportunities later.

It Creates a Routine - Regular jobs create routines that could be valuable to ex-offenders and felons.  A regular routine makes it easier to plan one's personal life and leaves less time for the types of things that led to trouble in the past.

Steady Income - I job provides a steady income you can count on.  Over time there may be raises and opportunity for growth.

Starting a Business

Be Your Own Boss - With your own business, you are the boss.  Some people really dislike following the orders of other people. 

Unlimited Income - With a job, you are limited to your hourly wage.  Having your own business, your income is determined by your success.  Your future is in your own hands

Make Your Own Hours - Your own business would allow you to set your own hours and work whenever you wish.  You decide how much work you do, when you go to work, when you quit for the day, when you take a vacation, and how long the lunch break will be.

Personal Satisfaction - A sense of accomplishment that comes with starting and building a business from the ground up is wonderful thing. Self-employed people take pride in the services and products they offer and being able to create the living they want.

For a better understanding of what it would take and the pros and cons of business ownership, ex-offenders and felons should speak to people who have done it.  There are benefits to both working at a job and owning a business.  Find out what is best for you.

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 For Ex-offenders and Felons: Start a Business or Get a Job?

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

For Ex-offenders and Felons: Start a Business or Get a Job?

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Felon with DUI needs advice about jobs

Felon with DUI needs advice about jobs

Hello,

I was convicted of felony DUI in 2008. It cost me an excellent job at Pacific Life. I went to alcohol treatment on my own accord, 6 months prior to sentencing. December of 2008 I landed a systems tech job at First Data Corporation. I worked there for over 11 months before being downsized November 2009. FDC was aware of my record, and the downsizing had nothing to do with it, it was just a numbers game. I have been unemployed since.

I understand the market is tough, and friends and relatives who work for large companies say that employers can be extremely picky in the hiring process now. I'm running out of hope that anyone will hire me. I haven't been able to land a job at a grocery store, fast food, anything. I do a lot of online applications, and wonder if the disclosure regarding felonies automatically flags the app and disqualifies me.

The felony DUI is the only thing I have on my record. I had a couple speeding tickets in high school and college. I've never stolen anything, or assaulted anyone, or committed fraud. I don't know what to do and the situation is getting very grim. My credit is shot because of the gaps in employment, and that has to hinder my job search as well. My resume is attached, just for the heck of it. It shows that I've always been employed, for long periods of time, with some good companies. I'm currently on unemployment, which I absolutely hate having to do, and that will run out by the end of July. I have barely been able to make it, and once that runs out, it's curtains. My father suffered a heart attack a month ago, and his medical bills are piling up. I need to be able to help my family but I cannot. I'll also be in danger of losing my house. If that happens then I am done for, as my credit is so bad I won't be able to get an apartment, let alone another house.

Is there anything I can do to get past this felony and land a solid job? I've had offers to work at bars/restaurants as either a cook or door man, but cannot accept those because my probation does not allow me to go to bars or be around alcohol. Even a job at a convenience store is not possible, because I would be handling alcohol. Lawn services won't hire me because they require a clean driving record. I have a lot to offer, and am the best teammate, worker, whatever, a business could ask for. In 9 months I've had one face to face interview and 3 phone interviews, nothing worked out. I'm on Career Builder, CareerLink, and Monster, all my information is out there and I apply for jobs daily. All I need is a chance. Any information, advice, would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Fred

Felon with DUI needs advice about jobs

Hello Fred,

I have a few suggestions for you. First of all I suggest that you contact an attorney. Try legal aid. You should look into perhaps having your original conviction downgraded if possible. I'm not sure what state you live in but you can also look into a Certificate of Rehabilitation. A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order, which declares that a person who has been convicted of a felony is rehabilitated. If a petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation is granted, it is forwarded to the Governor by the granting court and constitutes an application for a pardon. Often a little legal assistance makes it easier for convicted felons to get jobs. 

Secondly, go to your nearest One-stop Career center. There you will find a variety of service that can help you get a job including referrals for open position in your area. One-stop career centers are under-utilized resources that can really help. You can the center nearest to you here:


http://www.servicelocator.org/

Thirdly, I suggest contacting your local United Way office. United Way supports a number of social service agencies that offer assistance to ex-offenders and felons some with DUI.  A person with your education and experience may even be of service to one of the many organization it serves.

I hope this helps.

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Where can Ex-offenders Find Jobs

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Ten Steps to Getting a Job with a Criminal Record

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Felon with DUI needs advice about jobs

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Expungement may help felons get jobs

Christie: Let's expunge ex-cons' criminal records

Hello,

I am on probation for misusing my expense account and accepted a plea bargain that gave me a Suspended Imposition of Sentence for : Felony Theft Class B. This SIS technically is not a conviction. However, it comes up in background checks and I can't pass the check. Consequently, I can't get a second chance.



Most of the programs that I find are not for people on probation. Do you have any suggestions? I have a degree and 7 years of high level medical sales experience ranging from medical devices to pharmaceuticals?

Thanks for your help.

 Expungement may help felons get jobs

Your conviction is probably dependent on the completion of the terms of your deferment. Once the terms are completed, the original charges will be dropped. When this is done, you should try to get the charges expunged. I'm not sure how expungement works in your state. In most cases it means having the charges hidden from public view.  The charges will always be visible however to law enforcement, the court system and any government agency.  You should get legal help getting this done.

There are attorneys that make their livings getting expungements done for their clients.  You may be able to get help from your local legal aid office.    If expungement is an option for you, legal aid may offer low-cost or no-cost assistance with this process.  You can find your local legal aid office in your telephone directory or by contacting your state's bar association.

I hope this helps.


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Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: Employment Background Checks: Know Your Rights

Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons: The Truth About Background Checks

Jobs for ex-offenders and Felons: Expungement of Criminal Records

 

This Book Has Helped Thousands of Felons Get Jobs ! You can get a copy of this book for as little as $5.00 Click Here!

Expungement may help felons get jobs

 Companies Hire Felons | Companies That Hire Felons | Companies That Hire Ex-offenders | Employers That Hire Ex-offenders | Employers That Hire Felons | Jobs For Felons | Jobs For Ex-offenders | Jobs That Hire Felons | Places That Hire Felons | Felon Friendly Jobs | Felon Friendly Employers | Jobs for Felons | Jobs For People That Have Felonies | Jobs For People With A Criminal Record | Expungement for felons

Information to Help Felons get Jobs

Information to Help Felons get Jobs

Can ex-felons get local jobs

Hello Mr. Mayo,

I work with felons in a job center in Ohio and I see what they go through everyday trying to find jobs. I have been to your website and I find it appalling that you want to profit from felons by selling them a book that they need.  You say that you want to help felons but it looks like you are helping yourself.

You should be giving your book away.

Debbie

Information to Help Felons get Jobs

Hello Debbie,

I'm sorry you feel that I'm taking advantage of felons. You believe that I should be giving my book away.  You say that you help felons at a job center.  Do you do it for nothing?  You look for your check on Friday don't you?

Most of the people who purchase my book are not felons, but family or friends who want to help them.  Some them believe that the information in my book might benefit them more than buying them a pack of cigarettes or a drink.  I know that there are people that want to help a friend or a family member that may not have the $17.95 that we are asking for the softcover book, so we offer an ebook at a price that almost anyone can afford.  This ebook can be read on any device and is completely printable. You can check it out here: From Jail to a Job

If you were on my website. you were probably looking for information.  I also have two blogs that I have answered hundreds of questions from ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.  You can find those blogs here:

How Felons Can Get Jobs

Real Answers for Ex-offenders and Felons Looking for Jobs


That's two blogs with tons of free information to help felons get jobs.  Who knows you may even learn some things from my blogs that you can use to help your clients.

Best of luck to you and your clients Debbie!

Information to Help Felons get Jobs

 Companies Hire Felons | Companies That Hire Felons | Companies That Hire Ex-offenders | Employers That Hire Ex-offenders | Employers That Hire Felons | Jobs For Felons | Jobs For Ex-offenders | Jobs That Hire Felons | Places That Hire Felons | Felon Friendly Jobs | Felon Friendly Employers | Jobs for Felons | Jobs For People That Have Felonies | Jobs For People With A Criminal Record | Job Information for Felons

Eric Mayo