Thursday, February 15, 2024
Things Felons Should Never Say on an Interview
Job interviews are critical opportunities for individuals with criminal records to showcase their skills, experience, and potential. However, navigating the interview process as a felon can be challenging, as the need to address a criminal background arises. Effective communication becomes paramount in order to present oneself in the best possible light while minimizing the impact of past mistakes. This article aims to provide valuable insights and strategies for felons on what not to say during an interview, helping them navigate this crucial stage with confidence and increase their chances of securing employment.
1. Introduction: Understanding the Importance of Interview Communication for Felons
1.1 The significance of effective communication in job interviews
Job interviews can be nerve-wracking for anyone, but for felons, they come with additional challenges. Effective communication during an interview is crucial for felons as it allows them to showcase their skills, experience, and personal growth since their conviction. Being able to express themselves clearly and confidently can help felons overcome potential biases and misconceptions held by employers.
1.2 Unique challenges faced by felons in the interview process
Felons face unique challenges during the interview process due to their criminal history. Employers may have concerns about their trustworthiness, reliability, and potential risks to the workplace. Navigating these challenges requires felons to carefully consider how they present themselves and communicate their qualifications without drawing attention to their criminal background. It is essential to strategize and focus on highlighting their skills, experience, and personal growth to increase their chances of securing employment.
2. Avoiding Mention of Criminal History: Key Strategies and Tips
2.1 Understanding the legality of disclosure regarding criminal history
Before stepping into an interview, it is crucial for felons to understand the legal regulations surrounding disclosure of their criminal history. While laws vary in different jurisdictions, in many cases, felons are not obligated to disclose their past convictions unless specifically asked. It is important to research and familiarize oneself with the applicable laws to ensure compliance.
2.2 Crafting a professional resume and cover letter without mentioning criminal background
When applying for jobs, felons should focus on crafting a professional resume and cover letter that highlight their skills, qualifications, and relevant work experience. It is crucial to avoid mentioning any criminal background in these documents, as they should solely emphasize the candidate's abilities and potential contributions to the organization. Tailoring these materials to showcase transferable skills and achievements can help felons stand out as qualified candidates without drawing attention to their past mistakes.
3. Highlighting Transferable Skills and Relevant Experience
3.1 Identifying transferable skills from past experiences
Felons can leverage their past experiences to identify transferable skills that are valuable in various job roles. These skills could include effective communication, problem-solving, teamwork, leadership, time management, and adaptability. By recognizing and emphasizing these transferable skills during an interview, felons can demonstrate their ability to contribute to the success of an organization, regardless of their criminal background.
3.2 Demonstrating relevant job-related accomplishments and achievements
Highlighting past job-related accomplishments and achievements is a powerful way for felons to showcase their capabilities and prove their value to potential employers. Whether it's exceeding sales targets, implementing process improvements, or receiving recognition for outstanding customer service, emphasizing these achievements demonstrates competence and a strong work ethic. By focusing on their track record of success, felons can redirect the interviewer's attention towards their qualifications rather than their criminal history.
4. Emphasizing Personal Growth and Rehabilitation
4.1 Focusing on personal growth and positive changes achieved since the conviction
An essential aspect for felons during an interview is to emphasize personal growth and highlight the positive changes they have made since their conviction. This can include pursuing education, volunteering, participating in therapy or counseling, or engaging in other activities that demonstrate a commitment to personal betterment. By expressing remorse, taking responsibility, and focusing on the progress made, felons can show their dedication to rehabilitation and convince employers of their potential for positive contributions.
4.2 Highlighting participation in rehabilitation programs and ongoing efforts for self-improvement
Participation in rehabilitation programs and ongoing efforts for self-improvement is a strong indicator of an individual's commitment to change. Felons should use the interview as an opportunity to discuss any rehabilitation programs they have completed or are currently engaged in. This demonstrates their proactive approach to addressing past mistakes and investing in personal development. By showcasing their dedication to self-improvement, felons can instill confidence in employers regarding their potential for successful reintegration into the workforce.
5. Promoting Honesty and Transparency without Oversharing
When it comes to discussing your criminal history in a job interview, finding the right balance between honesty and oversharing is crucial. While being transparent about your past is important, you don't want to provide unnecessary details that may overshadow your qualifications or make the interviewer uncomfortable. It's essential to strike a balance that highlights your growth and rehabilitation without dwelling excessively on the past.
5.1 Striking the right balance between honesty and oversharing
To strike the right balance, focus on the lessons you've learned and how you've changed since your conviction. Emphasize your skills, accomplishments, and the steps you've taken to become a better person. Remember, your goal is to showcase your potential as an employee, not to dwell on your mistakes. Stay positive, genuine, and avoid going into exhaustive details about the circumstances of your conviction.
5.2 Practicing effective communication techniques to address the issue of criminal history
Effective communication is essential when addressing your criminal history during an interview. Practice delivering your story in a concise and confident manner. Be prepared to talk about the steps you've taken to rehabilitate yourself, such as completing relevant courses, volunteering, or seeking counseling. By highlighting your commitment to personal growth, you can demonstrate that you are a responsible and motivated individual.
6. Addressing Questions about Criminal Background with Confidence
While it's important to be prepared for potential questions about your criminal background, it's equally crucial to respond with confidence and composure. By anticipating these questions and practicing your answers, you can ensure you're ready to address them in a way that showcases your suitability for the job.
6.1 Preparing for potential questions related to criminal history
Research common interview questions related to criminal history and prepare thoughtful responses in advance. Anticipate questions about the nature of your offense, the rehabilitation process, or how it has influenced your career goals. By having well-thought-out answers, you can demonstrate your ability to take responsibility for your actions and discuss your personal growth.
6.2 Articulating a confident and concise response to such questions
When answering questions about your criminal background, keep your responses concise, confident, and focused on your qualifications and suitability for the position. Avoid rambling or becoming defensive. Instead, emphasize the positive changes you've made and how you've learned from your past experiences. Remember, the interviewer wants to see how you've grown and how you can contribute to the company.
7. Navigating Tricky Questions: Handling Employment Gaps and Background Checks
As a felon, you may face additional challenges when it comes to addressing employment gaps and background checks. However, with the right approach, you can navigate these hurdles and present yourself as a valuable candidate.
7.1 Addressing employment gaps in a positive and constructive manner
If you have gaps in your employment history due to incarceration or other reasons related to your conviction, focus on the activities you pursued during that time. Discuss any certifications, volunteer work, or educational programs you completed to enhance your skills or knowledge. By highlighting your proactive approach during these gaps, you can demonstrate your commitment to personal and professional development.
7.2 Dealing with background checks and potential obstacles
Be prepared for the possibility of background checks and understand that some employers have specific guidelines regarding hiring individuals with criminal records. However, not all companies have blanket policies, and they may consider each candidate on a case-by-case basis. If asked about background checks, provide accurate information and assure the interviewer that you have learned from your past mistakes and are committed to a positive future.
8. Conclusion: Maximizing Interview Success for Felons
Despite the challenges felons may face during the interview process, there are strategies and tips that can help maximize your chances of success.
8.1 Recap of key strategies and tips for successful interviews as a felon
Remember to focus on your qualifications, skills, and personal growth since your conviction. Highlight relevant certifications, volunteer work, or educational programs you have completed. Be honest, yet avoid oversharing or dwelling excessively on your past. Practice delivering your story in a confident and concise manner, focusing on your potential as an employee.
8.2 Encouragement and motivation to overcome challenges and achieve career aspirations
Finally, it's important to stay motivated and resilient throughout your job search. You may encounter rejections or face additional obstacles, but don't let these setbacks deter you. Surround yourself with supportive individuals, seek guidance from career counselors or organizations specializing in helping felons find employment, and keep pursuing your career aspirations. Remember, everyone deserves a second chance, and with determination and perseverance, you can build a successful future.
8. Conclusion: Maximizing Interview Success for Felons
In conclusion, the interview process can be daunting for individuals with criminal records, but with the right approach to communication, felons can still make a strong impression on potential employers. By avoiding certain topics and focusing on transferable skills, personal growth, and rehabilitation, felons can present themselves as valuable assets to companies. Honesty and transparency are important, but it is equally crucial to strike a balance and not overshare unnecessary details. By following the strategies outlined in this article, felons can maximize their interview success and pave the way for a brighter future in their careers.
FAQ
1. Should felons disclose their criminal history during a job interview?
While honesty is important, it is generally recommended for felons to avoid disclosing their criminal history during a job interview unless directly asked. It is crucial to research and understand the laws and regulations regarding disclosure in your specific location. The focus should be on highlighting transferable skills, relevant experience, and personal growth.
2. How can felons address questions about employment gaps on their resume or during an interview?
Felons can address employment gaps by focusing on relevant experiences and transferable skills acquired during that time. Emphasize any volunteer work, education, or training programs completed during the gap. It is essential to showcase personal growth, rehabilitation, and the steps taken to improve oneself during the gap period.
3. How should felons respond to questions about their criminal background during an interview?
Felons should respond to questions about their criminal background with confidence and honesty, without oversharing unnecessary details. Briefly acknowledge the past mistake, highlight the steps taken towards personal growth and rehabilitation, and redirect the conversation towards their qualifications, skills, and enthusiasm.
Saturday, November 18, 2023
How to Get a Job With a Felony on Your Record
Everyone deserves a second chance.
But in the past, many job seekers with a felony record have found it difficult to reintegrate into the workforce. The dreaded check-the-box-question, “Have you been convicted of a crime in the past 10 years?” can be a huge obstacle.
Change to this approach by employers has been slow, but change is happening.
In 2016, 19 large, influential employers gathered at the White House with President Barack Obama to sign the Fair Chance Business Pledge, which represented “a call-to-action for all members of the private sector to improve their communities by eliminating barriers for those with a criminal record and creating a pathway for a second chance.”
A few years later, the federal “ban the box” law — formally known as the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act of 2019 (FCA) — was enacted to prohibit federal employers, including private companies with federal contracts, from asking about arrests and criminal convictions before a conditional job offer. Employers can still inquire about criminal history, including a background check, after a conditional offer is made.
Additionally, 37 states and 150 cities and counties across the country have adopted similar “ban the box” laws, according to the National Employment Law Project.
With potential employers being more open, at least publicly, to hiring felons, here’s how job seekers with criminal records should navigate the job hunting process as they attempt to enter the workforce.
Obstacles Felons Face Finding Jobs
When trying to reintegrate into society, formerly incarcerated individuals already are up against the eight ball — without even factoring in a felony conviction on their record.
“It’s different from place to place, but typically you get $200 — enough to get some clothing and a bus ticket, and you have to figure it out from there,” says Adam Sanders, founder and reentry adviser at The Relaunch Pad, an organization that helps felons find employment and reintegrate into society.
“Then if you’ve been in prison for several years, you don’t have a valid government ID aside from your prison ID,” Sanders says. Most people leaving prison don’t have a permanent address or phone number. That process can take several weeks, making it even harder to find work immediately.
Parole requirements can also affect employment. “Having to report two or three times a week during normal business hours can make it very difficult in any job, let alone a job you have trouble getting to begin with,” Sanders says.
Outside of situational difficulties, felons also face a lot of stigma and misconception during the hiring process, Sanders says. They’re viewed as dishonest, lazy, unintelligent or simply not worth investing time in. A potential employer might feel like it’s a countdown to when the job seeker will be back in prison, so why invest in an employee who isn’t going to be around long?
So how do job seekers with criminal records overcome these inherent obstacles?
How to Find a Job With a Felony
Follow these tips on searching for the right jobs and moving through the job search and hiring process.
1. Use word-of-mouth. People without criminal records use their network, friends and family to find jobs. The same applies for people with felony convictions. “That tends to be where I’ve seen people get jobs the fastest,” Sanders says. “Maybe somebody from your church is looking for a receptionist. Apply at companies where you can get a referral and a friend can say, ‘Yeah, I know this guy. He’s a good guy.’ ” Adding that personal angle is a definite advantage when trying to overcome an obstacle like a criminal record.
2. Don’t be picky. “It’s much easier to find a second job after you already have a little bit of job history,” Sanders adds. “If you can get in somewhere and establish yourself as someone who shows up, does their job as a reliable employee, it’s much easier to climb the ladder.”
3. Search in industries that need workers. Manufacturing, manual labor, customer service and restaurants tend to be more open to hiring people with criminal records because they have looser policies. Sanders says COVID-19 also greatly affected employers’ willingness to hire felons. “They’re willing to take a chance because they just need people,” he says.
4. Be proactive. Once you get in front of someone, Sanders says it’s vital to pitch yourself and prove how you’ll be a good employee. “If you can present yourself as somebody who’s willing to go the extra mile, someone who’s willing to take initiative, you’d be surprised at how many people are willing to say ‘sure’ even if your background isn’t ideal.”
5. Honesty is the best policy. Being honest is incredibly important when facing the initial “check-the-box” question: “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” Almost every employer asks the question, so it’s vital to get the awkward out of the way and go ahead and deal with it. Says Sanders: “If they’re open to hiring people with convictions, they’re looking for people who take responsibility and are going to be honest with their employer going forward.” He adds that there’s no need to go into great detail about the conviction on the front end.
6. Consider going into sales. “This is actually one of the skills that we emphasize with the guys we work with,” Sanders says. “If you can become a good salesman, it literally doesn’t matter what your background is in many cases.” Sales is just a valuable skill to have in general, regardless of whether you have a criminal record. “If you can sell, you can make a great living, and you will always have a job.”
Sanders says the key to finding a job as a felon is just having the right mindset. “It’s not easy, but a lot of people have done it. You can do it, too. Just keep your head up, keep pushing, and something will come along.”
14 Major Companies That Hire Felons
While it’s hard to verify which companies, in practice, are willing to hire felons, many corporations signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge. Some of the more prominent companies include:
- American Airlines
- The Coca-Cola Co.
- Georgia Pacific
- The Hershey Co.
- The Johns Hopkins Hospital and Health System
- Koch Industries
- PepsiCo
- Prudential
- Starbucks
- Uber
- Unilever
- Xerox
See the full list of companies that signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
Robert Bruce is a senior staff writer at The Penny Hoarder covering earning, saving and managing money. He has written about personal finance for more than a decade.
This was originally published on The Penny Hoarder, a personal finance website that empowers millions of readers nationwide to make smart decisions with their money through actionable and inspirational advice, and resources about how to make, save and manage money.
Tuesday, April 4, 2023
Felons can use Temp agencies to get jobs
Felons can use Temp agencies to get jobs
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| Gordon Chibroski/Staff Photographer Portland Press Herald |
Felons can use Temp agencies to get jobs
Your husband is on the right track. One-stop Career Centers are under-utilized resources. continue to use it. In relation to applying at temporary agencies, that is a good strategy.I often encourage ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to consider working as a temporary as a way of getting a permanent job. Temporary agencies are a great way to quickly get back into the working world. Many employers use agencies to try out new employees before hiring them. Good workers are hard to find. If an employer sees that you are hard working, punctual and fit in well, he may offer the job permanently. The key to applying for temporary employment for ex-offenders and felons is to apply at smaller independent agencies rather than large national companies. Small independent agencies have fewer hiring restrictions than larger national companies and are free to hire anyone they choose. He will be able to get a list of these agencies in your local phone directory.
One agency I recommend is Labor Ready. They have an excellent track record of hiring ex-offenders and felons. You will find their website here: http://www.laborready.com/
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
Felons can use Temp agencies to get jobs
Tuesday, March 28, 2023
In Our Opinion: Employers have the right to make informed decisions
Originally published The Daily Star, Tuesday, March 28, 2023
The Clean Slate NY campaign and Business Council of New York are fighting for a new law gaining traction in the state Senate, which would allow records of those New Yorkers with criminal convictions to be shielded from public view.
Here is how it would work: Individuals convicted of felonies other than sexual offenses would automatically have their convictions sealed seven years after sentencing or release from incarceration if it lasted longer than a year and if they have had no subsequent arrests and no pending cases in the state.
For individuals convicted of misdemeanors, records would be sealed three years after sentencing or release with the same stipulations.
Employers hiring for jobs dealing with vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children and people with disabilities would continue to be able to check the conviction records of applicants, as would police departments, the courts, county prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys.
Advocates of the Clean Slate Act argue the measure is designed to allow those who have been sentenced for felonies and misdemeanors to get a second chance as they reintegrate into society.
Those who oppose the legislation, such as Sen. Dan Stec, R-Queensbury, said many people who have been convicted of crimes were already given two, three or even more chances before ending up with a record.
“If I’m hiring somebody to watch my kid, or watch my money or to do maintenance on my house, I want to know whether that individual has been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor, and I think most people would agree,” Stec said. To seal such records automatically a few years after the individual has completed the court-imposed sentence, Stec added, “amounts to a slap in the face to everyone who bothers to obey the law.”
Assembly GOP Leader Will Barclay, R-Pulaski, said while he agrees second chances are important, “people have the right to make informed decisions.”
To that, we agree. Second chances are important. Although we would like to believe those who have served their time are no longer at risk of re-offending, that is just not the world we live in.
The Daily Star employs about 40 local residents. Those in management make hiring decisions regularly. Those decisions are not taken lightly.
New York state currently has protections in place both for businesses and those convicted of felonies and/or misdemeanors in Article 23-A of the state Correction Law.
Employers in New York are not allowed to discriminate against hiring ex-offenders, unless the felony and/or misdemeanor conviction(s) is related to the type of employment or license being sought.
The question we ask is, how does a business know whether or not a prior conviction disqualifies an individual from being hired if those records are sealed?
To business owners: If an applicant walked into your business, having served time for multiple counts of embezzlement, would you knowingly hire that candidate to your accounting department?
We doubt it.
To use our business as an example: We would likely hire that candidate. We would give them a second chance.
However, we would hire that candidate to work in a department other than accounting as long as they met the criteria for employment and we would be well within our rights to do so.
It is risk mitigation.
In this scenario, the applicant still has gainful employment.
We doubt anyone opposed to clean slate legislation would argue those convicted of felonies or misdemeanors do not deserve employment or that those individuals deserve to suffer for the rest of their lives. They absolutely deserve a shot.
So do employers.
Employers are faced with tough decisions every day. We believe, if they are expected to make those decisions, they should be given all of the facts.
Wednesday, March 22, 2023
Shutting former felons out of opportunity is economically foolish
Nearly half of all children have a parent with a criminal record, and the US is losing $87 billion a year in GDP by not employing them
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Ap Prison Visitor Fee A File Usa Az
(Photo: Matt York/AP)
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And closing opportunities — in housing, education and, more than anything else, employment — isn't just morally wrong, it's bad economic policy.
The two of us don't agree on much — one of us is a former Obama administration official and the other works for Koch industries. But we both believe adamantly in the need for second chances and in the economic boon our country would experience if we fully gave them to people with criminal records who have paid their debt to society.
And while there is some momentum in Congress to enact reforms on the federal level, the fact remains that the federal system is only a small part of America's criminal justice problem. The lion’s share of criminal records come from the states, and there’s much states can do to put fair chances within reach, no matter what happens in Washington in the coming weeks.
Doesn't make economic sense
Shutting people with criminal records out of the workforce costs the United States up to $87 billion in lost gross domestic product every year. Individuals who can’t make a living legally are more likely to continue breaking the law and are likely to go back to prison, causing costs to rise even higher. Needless, preventable cycles of recidivism strain government resources — and make our communities less safe.
If a job applicant has a criminal record, his chances of getting called back for the job or of getting a job offer are essentially cut in half. Sometimes, that bias is legally mandated. Most states have multiple occupational and business licensing laws that prohibit hiring people with felony convictions. Still more legal restrictions deny formerly incarcerated people access to crucial resources like loans, credit and educational opportunities. And if these individuals want to vote to change that system — well, they often can’t do that, either.
It’s not just individuals who suffer because of this discrimination — it’s entire families. More than 33 million kids in the USA have a parent with a criminal record.
When formerly incarcerated people can’t find housing, their children are often forced to live with grandparents or sent into foster care. These challenges can lead to behavioral and school performance problems that get in the way of a kid’s future — making it more likely for that family to be trapped in a cycle of poverty for generations.
Current laws aren't enough
There are already laws that are supposed to help folks get second chances. States allow people to petition to expunge or seal at least certain records.
Nonetheless, thanks to antiquated and complex application processes, the steep cost of legal assistance and expensive court fees, millions of eligible Americans can’t move on with their lives.
Clearing those records should be made much simpler. Pennsylvania’s Republican-controlled legislature and Democratic governor managed to work together this summer to do just that. They passed legislation, known as the Clean Slate Act, that will automatically seal certain types of records once a person has shown that he's on the right track by remaining crime free for a set period. States as diverse as Michigan, South Carolina and Colorado are seeking to do the same.
It’s a commonsense move that will make a huge difference — both for individuals and for the economy.
In Michigan, improvements for the formerly incarcerated were seen even during the first year that their records were "set aside," according to a University of Michigan study. Wages, for example, increased by 22 percent.
And data collected by the Society for Human Resource Management and the Charles Koch Institute show that most in the business world are open to hiring and working alongside individuals with criminal records.
The midterm elections exposed the deep divisions so many feel in this country. It also marked the start of political careers for a number of state legislators and governors. As they think about what they’ll prioritize during their terms, we hope they'll take up legislation that will automatically seal or expunge records, to give people the chance to start over and strengthen their state and local economies.
Our nation works only if we keep our promises. This is a chance for state legislators to lead the way for their federal counterparts by moving past the divisions that too often define our politics. It’s an opportunity to come together — to strengthen our communities, to support our neighbors, to give people the opportunity to succeed. When we say that everyone deserves another chance and a fair shot at the American dream, let’s make sure we mean it.
The original article can be found here: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/policing/2018/11/23/former-felons-being-pushed-out-workforce-hurting-our-economy/2016435002/
Eric Mayo
