Where can felons get jobs?
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So you or someone you know has been convicted and stuck with a felony charge. It's hard to get past the background checks, but people still have to make money. Thankfully, there are jobs available for felons, violent or non-violent.
Manual labor is one way to go. The pay is often good, anywhere from $15 to $30 or even more every hour. Years of experience isn't always necessary, with some jobs asking for at year or less. They may require less than a specified number of felonies in a certain amount of time. Skinner Media Group, for instance, is a company needing manual labor, and asks that an applicant have no more than three non-violent felonies in 10 years.
Ask around and see which places skip the background checks. It may depend on the store, but Payless doesn't do background checks sometimes.
Food service may work, especially in smaller towns. Wait tables if you can, and then you can get tips.
Apprenticeships are also an option. People can get paid to assist a professional and could learn a lot and even get licensed in the process.
Telemarketing and mystery shopping (http://retail-jobs.eoltt.com, for instance) is something I've heard of felons doing as well. Technology has created lots of jobs for the convicted. It's best to try for places that don't require going into a person's home, such as repair work or delivery.
Truck driving may be an option, depending on the felony.
Jobs depend from area to area. Be sure to check online to see if there is a specific website or organization that helps with jobs for felons. Visit the local employment office for region-specific advice, as well as probation or parole officers.
Most of all, be a good candidate. Don't lie in an interview, and show that you're responsible, reliable, and hard-working. Have a good resume.
I'm sorry it's so difficult to find jobs. I think people deserve a second chance. All I can do is offer some resources. Who knows? Maybe the employer is a felon as well and may understand your plight. Just be determined and who knows what can happen.
Try this website: http://www.squidoo.com/employmentforfelons
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if you get a chance: check out my blog: http://helpforexoffenders.wordpress.com
When I worked at Goodwill the first question I would ask my clients was "How long were you in for" and "are you on your medications". My stats were 75% of anyone with any disadvantage would be working in 2 weeks if you did exactly what I said. Now I will share the cardinal rule. And this is very hard for felons as most become institutionalized. It is not about you. If you can make obvious choices such as Felons such as theft cannot go to work where you work with money or personal information. Violence issues should not seek work with team type environments. You get the picture.
Here is another secret. If you make the right choice about where to work all the employer is concerned about is can you do the job. Most industrial and heavy industry jobs pay quite well.
if you have a record,the best thing for you to do is to take the first job you can find,save your money,go to school to increase your knowledge,and find something you can do,something you are very good at specialize in one area and start your own business.second chances come to a VERY few lucky people.for the rest of us you really have to create new opportunities find new ways to generate money,buy something wholesale and sell at flea markets or find stores that do consignment and fill up as many shelves as possible with your products.second chances lived in yesterdays society,todays society is scared of their own shadows.start your own business create your own money create your own job.your business will grow and the day will come when someone will be standing in front of you looking for a second chance,and you will be able to give it to them.believe in your faith and believe in yourself and every thing will fall in place.good luck.this message was sponsored by www.citpam.com a natural herbal medication pharmacy.
That's great advice, Bill. I hope it helps some people!
MyFelon - Starting Over Starts Here!
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This is some BS work listed up above. I have a felony for taking some stupid ass rims and tires when I was 19 and since then I've been to school I have a family and I had ok jobs. I live in WI and been laid off and jobless for awhile now. I'm a certified computer tech and know what I'm doing and been hired by many corps untill they do a background check. Since I'm a felon I'm suppose to get the bottom of the barrel jobs Manual Labor, waiting on people, Payless WTF. Not never will you catch me dead in those jobs. The system is designed for you go back to prison because I would rather sell drugs then flip burgers. Real Talk.
Thanks Renny :)
Wayne, thanks for your input. I guess it depends on the person, because I would rather flip burgers than sell drugs, and I don't have a problem waiting on people or making low pay because I have all my life and have learned to live with it.
Hello everyone. My blog address has changed:
http://www.jailtojob.com/wordpress
all comments are welcome
Do not forget that if it has been a long time since your crime there are some that can be expunged so that that part of your past stops holding you back.
I have posted a lot of videos on youtube that can help ex-offenders get jobs. You can find them here:
This was very unhelpful, thanks. But really say a felon goes to college and he has a violent felony smudging up his record where can he really find a job.
i've been looking for a job for about a month now ,i just got laid off of my job and now all i can find is dishwashing jobs and no body really want to hire you because of your background. i guess i just need somebodies feed back on how i can obtain employment.
its really hard. ive been on the hunt also and nobody has offered a chance..
I agree with Wayne. I get paid 48,000 yr to be IT. in the oil industry. I have a wife 0 kids and ill be damned if i flip burgers for a living making min wage. Get real people. This is a damned situation for all felons. EVERYWHERE!! But what can we do? Shunned by those who have never been convicted of a crime then laughed at when we cant find good work. GLASSVISAGE u have no idea. If u want to flip burgers than sell drugs ur out of ur mind. Leave those jobs for those who dnt give a damn. The ones who eat up wellfare and love it. Food stamps ha. Ill never go to that. Keep ur head up felons. Things will get better. Most jobs now are a little more willing to hire after 5 yrs of conviction. Thats what i had to wait for. Dont be fooled into falling back into the old ways. We are men amongst other men, but we have a fist up and we will conquer a better life if you belive. STAY UP FELLAS.....
Well, sorry you feel that way. I just tried to put this Hub up to help people.
yiah man basically if your a felon you minus well move to the north pole and call yourself santa because america gets hopeless if your a felon
Hello my brothers & sisters in Christ. I am an individual with multiple felonies on my record, and I am currently employed for a company that gave me a job starting at $6.00 an hour in telemarketing. I have been working with this company since 12/04. I was released in 8/04. I worked on the phones for 4 1/2 months positioning myself daily for possible advancement opportunities by being first of all respectful to all, being present at work daily and punctual, dressing professional and most of all not only meeting requirments of the job, but exceeding the requirements of the job task. I have now been superivsing for this company for a little over 4 yrs. and am currently the only supervisor over the newest department of the company which began as an experiment (only 4 people) and now I have workstations for 60 people (the company extended space for this department - the highest sales closing % in the company). I am still on a daily basis positioning myself for success because it is all a matter of mindset. If you believe you can and are willing to put in all and even extra work to make it happen, guess what, it will!
Think about the song "Stanky Leg" it's a great song (G Spot Boys)
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!!
Oh yeah my brothers & sisters in Christ, I forgot to mention to all of you that I now am making over 50k per year! God is good all the time and all the time God is good! Remember that!
GOD BLESS!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for your story, Graceful and Humble! That's a great example for this Hub :)
To those who would rather sell drugs than flip burgers let me tell ya. you must really want to go back. well i didnt so i flipped burgers in a small family resturant for very low pay always kept a positive attitude helped others ended up becoming assistant manager beating out the owners daughter for the job and my felonies were agg robbery, breaking & entering, theft, and forgery. well six months ago one of my customers opened a Bar and Grill and guess what 48000.00 year plus bonus. so go ahead go back to jail when you get caught selling drugs me i'll keep watching my employed fellons flipping burgers for 11.00 an hour in the resturant i manage
I got a felony for child support that I owed and the prosecutor knew they were getting my taxes for it. I started out owing over 5,000.00 and now I owe 1,100.00 and I have a felony and 3 years probation and on top of that I am 38 years old and don't have a degree or a career. Life is really gonna suck for me now trying to get a job. I have already been struggling with job search the way it was!!! Now I have to suffer a felony too!!! My kids are 16 & 17 and will be graduating soon i am down on my luck because of the horrible economy. I have never been wealthy so I could end up in prison for being behind on child support for the first time since the kids were 5 and 6 years old!!! That can make ya want to sell drugs for a living cause I don't see a light at the end of my tunnel.
All my life I was the guy who eveyrbody loved and said, "That guys going to go far." I graduated college and not like I was making $100k/yr, but I was able to do better than what I can now. I got into some he say she say and $25,000 later, accepted a plea from a lawyer and now live this life waiting for some miraculous thing to happen, but the everyday I awake it's the same thing! My GUYS, if you did or didn't do the crime, turning to crime shouldn't be your only option. Yeah, things get hard, but we,and I say we because I'm struggling with a wife, four kids, a car payment, and a mortgage, but if you try hard enough you can make it! Selling drugs or whatever illegal activity may seem easy, but it's harder to sell drugs than to make your own empire. We must help each other and other people as well! Stay up my guys and be easy.
I misspelled the name earlier it's Misunderstood, I was just so excited to see a site like this! I am very much a man!
i know its hard for people with a felony well let say that the guy that im dating got a felony " robbery " but realy he just went and beat up a guy that he let borrow some money and took the money out his pocket and the guy mother seen it and the police and said that he broke into her house but never did he the guy he jump in or his mother told the truth" but any way he was charge and sentence 6 months in the county even though that was his first convictio n and he didnt have any money for a lawyer he was setence and that was 10 year ago but since then he has not been able to find a steady job he even went and took and trade as a truck driver and still no good luck sometimes i notice when he is in the bedroom and i can see a tear falling from his eye and i will ask him is everthing all right he would respond with its so hard for a person like me with a felony and we will take about it and i always let him know to keep his faith ad look above minor set back for major come back is my motto and he always ask me y is that im so humble and when i told him my story and the struggle i went through he saids that i lift his sprit up so high so the motto to the story is that i know that its hard for the ones with felony but keep your head up to the sky and always put God first and he said knock and it shall be open so keep looking and serching and if you have to go through temps company hey look at it as it a new trade that u can put under your belt because must general labor is not always picking and pulling or lifting but accept those jobs and say thank you lord for open the door and u will be suprise on the money u have made and the training u have learned.
I CAN RELATE REAL WELL WITH THIS SITE AND ALOT OF THE OPINIONS. I AM A FELON ALSO.I HAVE 2 MONTHS TO GET A JOB PAYING AT LEAST 150.00 A WEEK OR I AM SENT TO PRISON. IT SEEMS LIKE NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY I CANNOT FIND A JOB, ONCE THEY SEE FELON THAT IS THE END, THIS I KNW I HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. IF ANYONE OUT THERE KNOWS OF ANY JOBS PLEASE LET ME KNOW
I understand the frustration and can relate to alot of the stories that I'm reading on this hubpage. It's not any easier for individuals with misdemeanors. These days employers seem to be super paranoid, and seem to be out to further punish those with indiscretions no matter whether misdemeanor or felony. Mine is a misdemeanor larceny charge (shoplifting). I paid my fine, restitution, and was given one year's probation. I had no priors and have had no other infractions. However, I can not find a job to save my life. I made a mistake, I took responsibility, and I can't get past it. It's been 10 years. Ten years and it's still haunting me. I didn't have money for an attorney, and I was naive and foolish in thinking that I could handle the situation myself. Now I have this record forever...50 years from now...long after I'm dead and gone, anyone interested can go back and see this on my criminal record. It's discouraging. It's depressing. I was at a job for 6 years, I made low wage, but I was terrified to try to find another job. I lost that job on June 30th when the office closed. Now I have been thrusted back out into the job market and forced to once again reveal my shame and BEG for a 2nd chance. I have an Associate degree which might as well be used as toilet paper. The only advice that I continually receive is to further my education, so now I'm trying for my Bachelor's, but really, what will that do? I'll be spending a crap load of money on a degree that no one will ever see because they will never get pass the question, "have you ever been convicted of a crime? if yes, explain." That question takes a piece of my soul each time I see it. I know that I can do a better job than 1/2 the people in my field, but I'll never be given the chance to prove it because of the prejudice against individuals with criminal records. And what's more is that the people that do have the jobs, should probably be under the jailhouse, but had sense and money enough to hire a high priced attorney to get them off the hook, or just simply haven't been caught yet.
I have read that in some states records can be expunged. I live in North Carolina and that is not an option here unless you were a juvenile at the time of conviction. I'm so hurt right now...I'm typing this through tears. I feel hopeless. The only one I can look to is God. I try to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason, everything in it's season, and that God does not give us more than we can handle. But if I'm this upset, can I really handle it? I'll hold on for as long as I can, and do some reaearching, praying, and footwork. There's alot of prejudice out there, there's alot to overcome. I hope I have it in me.
Tonight I sit hear and I read all of your post. I have read some and started weeping. Why do I weep? When I think of what you all as felons go through it only reminds me of my own life. A few post up I read that someone was a Computer IT in the oil industry. I relate with you most. I, like yourself, have a BS in computer Science. I graduated HS at the age of 15, started attending UNC Chapel Hill when I was 16, went into the USMC at the age of 18, Graduated collage with the BS at 20. When I was in the service I was deployed twice to fight for our country and maintain freedom. At least for some. I have a security clearance higher then anyone in this forum is aware of probably and speak 2 languages. What's the problem with my resume? Nothing. The problem is when I was 19 I was convicted of a Carjacking while I was stationed in SD, California as a Marine. This in turn ended my career and everything I have worked so hard for. How would someone like me do something like that, speaking about my accomplishments. Simple. I didn't. 2 of my friends did a crime after I dropped them off. When they got in trouble for taking the car the cops asked them how did they get down to southern SD when their post, our unit, was in N. SD, at Camp Pendleton. They could have said train, cab, walked or anything. They told the cops I dropped them off at a girlfriends house. That's all it took. They gave me accessary to the fact, pretty much the exact same damn crime. To this day I don't trust anyone. I don't let people ride with me. I have relocated back to Carolina just to get away from the statistics of California to be violated within 6 months of release. I did my sentence and have been home since July of 12th 2004. In the DA's eyes I got the lighter sentence and should have been thankful but at the end I shouldn't have even been arrested. As untrue as this may sound, or for those who think parts of my story are missing I hate to inform you, this is the God's honest truth. Now I'm 27 married with 3 kids in the house, 1 in Oki, Japan from my previous wife, a car payment, morgage, bills through the roof, etc.....
When I finally start a decent job, May of 2005 at a plant, as an operator, they see my patential and I started taking steps to better our shift first and then eventually the plant as a whole. Did small work for about 9 months just to get recognition, moved up to Lead person (running a shift), they made me a trainer and Tech Writer because of my knowledge of computer, considering I have been programming for kicks and giggles since the age of 8 when we we still using DOS as the format. I grossed 59k the first year and 48k the second year. (WHAT's YOUR POINT NERD)
I started getting big headed and thought, hell, I have all this experience from a well known and respected company I think it's time to do something else and move to the next chapter in life. I came across some job openings and applied were I thought I might like to work. Bingo, got someone looking to put more money in my pocket. They offered my a starting salary, not hourly, but salary of 68k a year plus bonus and incentives. I had been honest about my record and everything. Didn't even lie, considering when you're offered that much you know backround checks will be done. They said green light and I was able to give my other high paying job the boot. I put in a 2 week notice and left on good terms. I kept in the back of my mind the plant changed their policy and knew they no longer hired felons, NO EXCEPTIONS. Before I started my first day the head Sup called me on the cell when the wife and I were on the way back from VA. He essured me and the wife I didn't have anything to worry about. He promised her and I that everything was going to be fine and I was the right dude for the job. I worked there for 1 week 4 days. That Following Thursday I came in to him and a box on my desk. He told me my record was to much of a liability and the company can't risk my past of clients although they knew I was capable of perfoming all respected duties. I was let go on the spot. I have been in odd and in jobs just trying to earn pennies ever since. I rather be free and broke than rich behind bars. The problem is a violent strike makes you unworthy to even flip patties in the great state of NC. Now I have been jobless for a year and 4 months collecting Unemployment Benifits, hoping they don't stop because if they do I'm affraid I wont be able to find a job, and sometimes get depressed because I think I might lose my current wife and kids, making me feel like less of a man. It's not about pride with me. But when you can't provide for your woman and you know you're really trying it can make you want to turn to crime to get your own justice. The sad part is Felons have set the bar in the past by doing employers wrong and now this generation and the ones to follow will suffer and pay for it. What those in the position to hire fail to realise,
1. The person with the felony has more to lose then the one whose clean. WE know if something comes up missing everyone is going to look at us first.
2 We work harder. We know that if they have a company layoff we're going to be the first out so we have to put out 100% everyday if not 120.
3. Just because someone is charged with something doesn't mean that's what they did.
4. As affraid as the general public is of us, sometimes you can get it out of a felon, but we're just as affraid of the public. Have you ever walked into a room and everyone knew all they needed to know about you, but you don't know anyone in the room. Well, when someone in an office or in a group setting job has a felony or misd. Someone in that office knows that and will tell everyone. Do you know how depressing that fells?
I know I can't change the world, because the world wont EVER forgive me no matter how good I try to be. I haven't seen a cop since I have been home. Discharged Parole within my set time without a problem. Passed all drug test, etc....I have the proper education. Have seen the world more then the ave American who thinks they understand what freedom is and was willing to die for this country witch hates me so much... There isn't any outlet for a felon in the work force. Yes, there is labor jobs, burger jobs, janitorial jobs, telemarketing jobs, or general grunt work. But what society doesn't know, what I learned while in prison; some of the smarted people in the world are behind bars. The only thing a criminal can't do is pick a prison lock. The reason why their all so overfilled. You can start your own business if you have the capital and support but if you don't then what? At the end of the day we as felons have to let go and let GOD. No one on the world cares about us. If they did they wouldn't dare speak on it due to re-election. To affraid of having an office than to stand up for ALL the people, not just those who can pay their way out of trouble or those who judge others that have been in it. This is a growing problem that is the best kept secret. I can vote and actually voted for Obama but I think I'm done voting for life because no one has or will even address this issue, witch means in layterms, "no one cares." If you would like to contact me my email address is gerren@embarqmail.com Anyone is welcomed. If anyone has a program or something that could help change this catch 22 please email me. You can also find me on Face book.... For my fellow Felons. I love all of you because you understand what life is all about. You understand what real hatred and depression feels like. Yes, you and I have did wrong in our past. Key word is DID. It's not the mistake you but how you correct it that really matters. Even if they keep telling you NO don't fall back into that scene of crime. Think about it. You have the rest of your life, or until the age of 80 (Pending if you don't do any crimes after) to explain yourself. You could get mad at the situation or learn that until you stop breathing or turn 80, accourding to the law, you will be dealing with this matter. You can do it 2 ways, behind bars or setting a new one. We all know the system is made for us to return but what happens i
I am a violent felon who served 13 months for an Assault 3, I got one drop of spit on an officer's badge. I worked what part time minimum wage jobs I could find for a while until I was lucky enough to get laid off. I began living the sweet life, getting 166 dollars a week in unemployment. That was a raise in my eyes.
Anyway, I got bored and I went to college and hit all of the areas required to get an ASOT in business, which is a highly marketable degree here in Oregon. I was accepted into PSU's business school.
Here is the real question where can I find a job. McDonald's will not hire me. I understand that I may not be able to find a job commensurate to my skills but give me a break. SO I haven't been able to pay the child support bill and I may get a new charge out of the deal so I need work.
I am also not very good with manual labor. Unless I am sketching the blue prints the job is not for me.
Anybody have any idea's? I need a business that may over look all of the legalities involved with hiring a felon. Most of the mom and pops businesses that I could get work for closed during the recession.
i am so greatfull forr this site. i was looking for some random jobs for felons and came to this place.
first i would like to thank all of you for ur comments and i forgot the person who put this up but THANK YOU!!!!
Where do i begin i to am a felon(violent) have an assosicates in Computer Science/data Entry(can't Use) got released in 2004 prior to that i was a felon but was still able to get employment(of some kind) Since being released in 2004 i have had 4 jobs one was a previous employer willing to "help me out" for a few months. By the way i forgot to mention i was on parole for 3yrs and had to do it all on House arrest. Thus making getting a job even harder. Was able to get a under the table job at a milk deliver company. did it for a year was offered a promotion, i then got my own place after a year of being released(still on house arrest) the only reason i jumped at the apartment is due to the upcoming promotion that would have almost doubled my salary. 2 months later when promotion fell through so did my full time status 1 month later the job completely disappeared b4 my eyes. i was able to get one job since doing phone stuff i dont want to spell so i dont get the link in here. that only lasted 1 and a half months. i suck at getting people to donate money to the Police an Law Enforcement so they tried to let me go after the second week, but i do have the gift of gab a little. and talked myself into 4 more weeks of work. that was in Feb. 2007 since then i have had over 150 interviews and went to 5 different programs for felons and have yet to find a job. i stay with my mother whos health is falling and in the last month has lost half of her income. yesterday just got a five day notice and she is actually behind 2 months. i'm losing my sanity here. As a man this hand that life has dealt me has taken a great toll on me at times. i even felt so low that i even attempted to take my life. i am mentally in a better place as to not end it, but i'm real MF'ING close to not caring about what it takes as long as i get whats needed.
As i read the comment posted here i began to cry because i can relate to so many other situations and problems. overall let me really know i'm not in this mess by myself . although i dont have much to add but my mere opinion at this time. they say God might not come when u want but he's always on time. Finding this site was right on time to help me to realize one important thing that all of us have in common. that no matter what happens and how life will through u a curve, knock u down and spit on u. We will survive. the things in life that make it hard on us only make us stronger even though at times it can be UNBEARABLE. We all have our freedom and if u can read this u not sleeping in a cardboard box, so GOD is truely good. if any one knows of any jobs in the Chicagoland area pls feel free to contact me jaba1979@yahoo.com
So what i dont get is, there are so many of us with these felony convictions, why isnt there anything we can do about it? i mean why should we have to live our whole lives with this, i undestand certain crimes maybe yeah, but most of them we shouldnt have to live our whole lives with. there has to be something we can do about it, theres a lot of people with a felony, there has to be something that we can do about it, i dont think that god gave the government the power to make people like us suffer out whole lives because of making a mistake.
felons should get a check just for not being able to find work because it is a disability.
Then the government should get on their knees and take it in the butt for setting it up this way.
Why do people have to wait so long in order to expunge. 2018 is a long time from today.
thanks for share about this job. I have never seen about this before. great hub.
I am a felon with 2 assault convictions. I work in construction and though some of the contracts that the employers get require no felons and I get laid off, I am able to find another job. I am a pipefitter and I make $60 a year. I am in the union and the are able to find me jobs so I can make a living. Check out www.ua.org and find a job. God Bless all of you/
anybody out there that can help me get me cleamacy on a 25yr old felony please.
Having a felony conviction will make life harder, but it will not necessarily prevent your success. At age 19, I was convicted in Texas for felony possession of a controlled substance, a plea bargain down from a delivery of controlled substance charge. My first efforts after release were focused on getting an education. I was a high school drop out, but received a GED. My initial college opportunities were limited, at least in my mind, to community colleges. I attended community college while making a poor living at a pizza restaurant and various other low paying jobs. After completing a year of community college, I was able to transfer into Texas A&M University and received sufficient financial aid from both the government and the institution in form of grants and loans to enable me to study full time without employment. I received a degree in engineering. Afterward, I found employment with a major defense contractor in Virginia designing and building ships for the Navy. My record was disclosed but the company hired me as a junior engineer after a single interview. I was required to obtain a security clearance from the US Department of Defense. I was initially denied and my job was at risk. I had worked extremely hard and the employer took a chance and kept me on during my appeal of the DOD’s decision. It took almost 6 years, during which time my career growth opportunities in the company were limited, but I finally received a security clearance from the DOD. They are very conservative when it comes to allowing access to classified defense information, but I was able to demonstrate to their satisfaction that I was not the same person who received the felony conviction several years prior. I also took advantage of tuition reimbursement benefits at my employer and earned a masters degree attending evening classes for a few years. I have since moved on and working as manager at an engineering consulting firm in Houston. I earn a good living now, with a salary a good bit over $100,000. My past conviction rarely comes up and has not affected my career in the private sector. I think bottom line, you can achieve success.
I was going to write a similar blog concerning this topic, you beat me to it. You did a nice job! Thanks and well add your rss to come categories on our blogs. Thanks much, Jon B.college singles
Thanks college. I think you should still write a blog about the topic... You can't have too much helpful information for others.
Cassandra Senior says:
18 months ago
thanks! very helpful!