Felon is trying hard to find jobs

Hello, my name is Kevin. I live in New Jersey. I've had a few drug charges in my past. I was put on pre-trial intervention. in 2006 for possession of magic mushrooms, but towards the end of my P.T.I. I messed up again and got caught with possession of heroin (felony) in 2008. I regret a lot of the things that I've done in my past, but people make mistakes, and I'm trying to change my life around. People do change. It's hard to get away from the past when it keeps coming up and haunting your future.

I've been off of probation for about 2 years, but I can't seem to land a job. Every company I interview for asks about my criminal background, and I don't lie about it. I thought companies like honesty. Everyone has said they can't hire felons. Nobody will give me a chance. I've been on unemployment, but it's running out soon. I don't know what to do. If I didn't have the support of my family I don't know what I would be doing.

I've been applying to warehouse jobs, since my last job was a picker/packer at a warehouse. I also have forklift experience, but I am not certified. My question is how do I get a job, and down the road is it possible to get my felony charge expunged, since I have more then one charge? Also are there any temp agencies that work to help felons get jobs?

Thank you very much.

Felon is trying hard to find jobs

Hello Kevin,

I'm sorry you are having so much trouble. I tell all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to apply for as many jobs as they feel they are qualified for. Remember, even a blind man will hit something if he throws enough rocks. The key is finding enough jobs to apply for.

I encourage every felon to visit your local One-stop Career center. There you will find a lot of services that can help you land a job. Among those services are listings of open jobs in your area. You can get one-on-one job search assistance from trained counselors. You can find your local One-stop Career center here:

www.servicelocator.org

As we move in to the holiday season, you may find warehouse opportunities at many retail outlets like:

Target

Kohl's

Toys-R-Us

Sam's Club

Supermarkets may also hire ex-offenders and felons for their overnight crews.

Many companies hire ex-offenders and felons. I am in Southern New Jersey. My students are often hired at Wal-mart, Home Depot and Lowe's.

As far as applying for employment at temporary agencies, my students have more success with smaller independent agencies as opposed to nation-wide companies. In most cases, the large companies have regulations from their corporate offices that prohibit the hiring of ex-offenders and felons. Independent agencies are free to hire anyone they feel would be a good employee.

Unfortunately the state of New Jersey only allows one felony expungement which one cannot even apply for until ten years has passed from the date of the completion of the sentence.

I hope this helps.