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.

Where can ex-offenders and convicted felons find jobs

 

 

Felon is trying hard to find jobs 

Felon in NC needs job to support family

My name is Cynthia.  I am still currently on probation with a felony. I will be on probation until 2015, I was told by a lawyer that my felony will stay on me until 2023.  The state I was convicted in had a first time offenders act where I didn’t show up in any system.

 I live in North Carolina where the first time offender act does not apply.  I have been jobless for over a year. I have applied at several restaurants, retail stores, and other various places. I have been called to several interviews but the outcome is when the employers ask me what my felon is for they tell me they can’t hire me. It is for theft. So, I am back at square one with endless job applications, and no success.  McDonald's even said they would not hire me. I have three kids, two which are special needs, and a husband who is also disabled.  My husband is receiving disability and that alone doesn’t pay all the bills. We get food stamps, and medicaid. I am wanting to get off the public assistance and support my family. Is there anything else that I can do to help with my employment seeking?

Felon in NC needs job to support family

Hello Cynthia,

Frequent readers of my blog know that I strongly suggest to ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to use the local one-stop career centers

JobLink Career Centers are the one-stop career centers in North Carolina. These centers provide a long list of services that can help prepare you for a job or even training for a new career.  Each center has counselors that provide individual assistance.  Often these counselors have experience working with people with criminal backgrounds and know of employers who have hired ex-offenders and felons.  Among the services offered you will find lists of open jobs in your area.  You may also get referrals to other agencies that provide services that can help your family.  You can find the center closest to you here:

 http://www.ncesc1.com/locator/locatormain.asp
 
Because you have a theft conviction, you may not be considered for retail, cash handling or other positions where valuables are at risk.  That must be taken into consideration when applying for jobs.

I hope this helps.

  

Felon in NC needs job to support family

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

Mr. Mayo,

My sister  is a convicted felon for the 2nd time for DWI's.  She lives in Angleton, Tx.  She is a hard worker.  She has mainly done construction throughout her lifetime but she is getting too old to continue this type of work.  She has been to the WorkSource numerous times and she continues to look for employment; but she is getting really discouraged.  I have been online to find a list of company names that hire convicted felons and have now wrote them down.

Is their anything else you can think of that might help her seek gainful employment?

Thanks
 

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

I'm sorry your sister is having so much trouble.  The good news is that people with DWI get hired everyday.  It is my experience that people with DWI tend to have more success finding jobs in the retail or hospitality industries.  Employers in these fields want people who will be reliable and punctual. 

Don't give up on the WorkSource in Texas.  New positions are added everyday.  A counselor can show you how to browse open positions from home if your are not already doing so.

You can sign up to browse open positions here:

https://wit.twc.state.tx.us/WORKINTEXAS

The closest center to you is:

 Workforce Solutions - Lake Jackson
 

 491 This Way
Lake Jackson, TX  77566

One last suggestion, when you find an opening you like, the absolute worst thing you could  is to lie on a job application your charge.  I would just be completely honest and in the interview explain the situation to the employer.

I hope this helps.

 Where can ex-offenders and convicted felons find jobs

 

Felon in TX with DWI needs a Job

Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs

Hello, I was reading your site and have a question. I have a felony that was withheld adjudication on a constructive possession (a passenger in my car had drugs) a little over 4 yrs ago and that's it. But I can't get a job anywhere I've looked. I also don't have a CDL but can get one either through job training or school. I know about Carolina Cargo but that's it. Do you have any info on any other companies out there who will take a non experienced driver or newly trained driver with a background showing I plead guilty  but was with held? I was unaware at the time that this was pretty much no different than pleading guilty and being adjudicated with a sentence.


 Thanks.

 BCM
 

Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs

Hello,

Withheld Adjudication is not necessarily a terrible thing.  I get a number of inquiries regarding withheld adjudication / deferred judgement /deferred adjudication. Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs should understand what it means because it could affect their ability to be hired for some jobs. Withheld adjudication / deferred judgement/deferred adjudication generally relates to a determination by a judge to place a person on probation without a judgement of guilt. There will be terms set by the court, usually a fine and a period of probation. Once the conditions are fulfilled, the charges are normally dismissed. There will be no conviction related with that offense. If conditions are not met, a finding of guilty may be entered and the person may be sentenced according to the penalties specified for the offense.

So when completing an application that asks if you "Have you ever been convicted of a crime, you can answer "no" and rightly so because you haven't. The original charge will appear on a background check simply as a charge and not a conviction.  To absolutely certain of the status, you should check with the prosecutor or your probation officer associated with your case.  This is not intended as legal advice, simply general information. If you really concerned about the charge itself (employers are rarely concerned with charges.  They care more about convictions) you may look into having your charges sealed by the court.  Sealing is a legal process that conceals the charges from public view.  The charge will only be visible to the court system, law enforcement and government agencies.

As for trucking jobs for felons, the site below has a good list of trucking companies. A large number of them have hired ex-offenders and felons. Some have their hiring policies as they relate to ex-offenders and felons included.

http://www.classadrivers.com/index.php?method=CompareCompanyListing&ListAll=1

 Each of the companies listed makes its own rules regarding felony convictions and the hiring of felons. Some will employ a driver after 5 years or longer since the conviction. Other companies won't hire felons, regardless. You must contact each carrier to find out exactly what their policy is concerning the hiring of felons.
 
I hope this helps.

 

  Felon with Withheld Adjudication seeks Trucking Jobs