Felon in AL looking for job opportunities

I am a felon residing in Birmingham, AL.  I recently completed 1 year of probation and am finished with the whole process.  I recently enrolled in a technical college for Information Technology.  I have researched all that I can, and cannot find out about my prospects in this field.  I have read a few books and my strategy is to stick to startups, small, and medium companies.  I have plans to go into business for myself, but starting off, I will need a job.
Is my strategy sound, or should I pick a more inclusive niche?  My overall goal is to become an application developer (apps for mobile phones, tablets, etc.).
Sincerely,


Jay

Felon in AL looking for job opportunities

Hello Jay,


You are on the right track. Smaller companies are less apt to spend money on expensive background checks.  Ex-offenders and felons looking for professional jobs should always apply for open position by using resumes and well written cover letters.  Using that method, the question of a criminal background may never come up.


In the meantime, make use of your local One-stop Career Center.  Take a look at the video below. When starting your own business there are a few concerns.  You may need health coverage, especially if you have a family.  That's where having a job is helpful at least until your company is turning a profit. 


In Birmingham, The One-stop Career Centers can found at this link:


One-stop Career Centers in Birmingham

 

Where can ex-offenders and convicted felons find jobs

 

 

 

 

Felon in AL looking for job opportunities

Felon in AZ wants Jobs in Medical Field

Hi,

My name is Michael. I was convicted of assault about 12yrs ago. I have struggled finding decent paying jobs. Most employers especially out here in Arizona will not give me a chance. I may have an opportunity to go back to school through a veterans program called VRAP. They pay for you to go to school for a year and give around $1400.00 a month.

 My question is this I was thinking about going for a respiratory tech or x ray tech position but I doubt I can get licensed here in AZ. What other careers which require licensing can I do if any and also are they any agencies out in Phoenix that can help me. Thank you for any help you can provide.

Felon in AZ wants Jobs in Medical Field

Hello Michael,

You assume because of your conviction, you may not be able to be licensed. Why not find out for sure. Just because you are a felon don't assume anything. Here in NJ there are ex-offenders and  felons working in hospitals and doctor's offices.

If I were you, I would contact the Arizona Medical Board to see if you can be licensed.

For Respiratory Technicians contact:

Respiratory Board
1400 W. Washington, Suite 200
Phoenix, AZ 85007 602-542-5995
 http://www.rb.az.gov
 
For X-ray Technicians contact:

Medical Radiologic Technology Board of Examiners
4814 S. 40th St.
Phoenix, AZ 85040
602-255-4845
http://www.azrra.gov/mrtbe

I encourage every ex-offender and felon I meet, to apply for every job they feel they they are qualified for.  Whichever jobs you apply for, find out what are the requirements.  Do not assume because you are a felon, that you are not eligible.

I also suggest taking a visit to your local One-stop Career Center.  There you will find a number of free services that could help you get a job.  You will also find counselors who can provide information on career options.  Many counselors have experience assisting ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs   You can find the center near you here:

One-stop Career Centers in the Phoenix area

 

 

 

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

 

 

Felon in AZ wants Jobs in Medical Field

 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