I have been having trouble finding a job because of a felony on my record. The felony is for possession of a controlled substance. Long story short because I have already expressed the specifics of my felony on here before, I do not use nor have I ever used drugs. Helping out a friend in need resulted in me being used by him and getting caught, having my car searched and paraphernalia being found. Unaware of this I was charged because Texas says its in my car so its my possession. Anyway back to my main point. I am in the oil and gas industry as a drafter and had been since 2009. I love what I do. I was laid off in August 2015 and times have been slow. No one is really hiring. Things are starting to barely pick up and now I am seeing some activity. I have only been contacted a hand full of times because I am limited to what I can apply to know because of the felony. It really cuts deep when searching all day I find a job that I am perfect for and at the end of the ad it says felons need not apply, or must pass background check. I have come to live with the fact that this is my life now and can not change the past. That being said I wish someone would just give me a chance. I have alot to offer, on top of that I have a family and feel like a failure everyday that I watch my wife leave to work and Im at home. I try to do everything at home from taking care of the kids, cooking, cleaning, chores, errands, shopping but still feel like its not enough. I love my wife and can not take seeing her work so hard. We are living less than paycheck to paycheck, having to make decisions on what gets paid first. We cant even find a place to stay because finding a place to live that accepts me and doesnt make me fear for my families lives is hard so we have to live with relatives right now. I dont want my kids to grow up like I did in bad neighborhoods. With getting calls on the drafting not working I had decided that what I did for money was no longer my choice. I needed to work and make an honest living for my family so I started applying to what ever I could find. I have been applying to general labor, warehouse, construction, random office jobs, food services, retail, etc. Two weeks ago I interviewed at a veterinary office cleaning up after animals and working the front desk. I went in to the group interview of 5 people including me and felt like only myself and one other person had strong chances of getting the position. I was truthful about my felony on the application and after the interview asked to speak with the lady doing the interview by myself. I told her that I wanted to be straight forward about the felony and told her the specifics and that I would take screening asked of me at a moments notice anytime. She than told not to worry cause she had a past herself and I was safe, that she really liked my personality and answers and that the owner never did background checks there anyway. I left feeling good about my chances. I was sent an email containing homework later that week about researching the site and answering a few questions. I told my wife things were looking good cause they were still talking to me. After sending my answers I received an email saying the following week everyone would be contacted to set a day when individually we would come in for a 1 hour shadowing time. At the conclusion if we were still interested in the job we just had to wait for their decision unless we decided that it really wasnt for us and dropped out ourselves. I really felt good. I mean the pay was going to be going from my usual $60,000/year to probably just $25,000 max but something was better than nothing and I needed money for bills. I was still gonna give this job my 150%. I never got that call about shadowing and after the week started to come closer to an end I sent a message just inquiring if the shadowing was still gonna take place that week. I never got a response. My wife told me to wait cause it was only Wednesday and I still had two days. After Friday at noon came without an answer I sent another asking if the position was still open or if it had been filled but never to day have got an answer. That was Friday last week 2/17/17. I guess even though I was praised by her at after the interview was just a way of making me just leave. I just would like to know if I was passed on so I can move on. Not looking to make a scene or hold a grudge. Just want a purpose again. I just want to feel productive once more. I have encountered this now a few times that I am told my experience is great and my personality will fit perfect and looking forward to work with me and as soon as that background check comes out its we dont know you. Im not a bad person. So as to my question if its a job in drafting where I know a background check will be done I am not going to lie. I will be honest. As to the other jobs that I am applying to so I can just start working again. If most dont do background checks should I even say anything or just be quiet? I mean if they check than I just dont get the job which is not different then them passing on me for being honest. On the other hand if they dont check than its just my secret and I can prove that I can do a great job. Let them get to know me and not the background. Any thoughts from the community. Please any opinions will be greatly accepted. I just need a census of what everyone else thinks. Thank you

If you think you nailed that interview or the recruiter said, Keep in touch, don't just sit and wait for the phone to ring with a job offer. Instead, be proactive. There are things you should do after a job interview that can increase the odds of getting a second interview or landing a job offer.

Learn the best way to follow up after a job interview. Following-up after a job interview is one of the smartest things you can do to help get you hired for the job. Calling or emailing your interviewer after a job interview is critical to separating yourself from everyone else. Proper job interview follow-up can singlehandedly get you a second job offer or even tip the scales in your favor and land you the job. So after your next job interview, make sure you follow up and send them a thank you letter.

Do an Interview Assessment
Immediately after completing an interview, write up a summary of the questions you were asked along with your answers. This will preserve a record of your responses for future reference if you secure a follow-up interview. Also, note anything you wish you had said to your interviewer but didn't get the opportunity to tell them. That way, if you get a second interview, you can make a note to mention these items. A thorough interview assessment will also provide you with details to address in your follow-up communications. In addition, you’ll be able to identify any problem areas in your presentation, so you can improve them and be even more prepared for future interviews.

Get Contact Information and Next Steps
At the conclusion of the interview, ask about the process moving forward. Will the interviewer be contacting candidates in a week for a second interview? Making a decision in 10 days? Do they notify everyone who applied or just the successful candidates? Knowing what to expect will help determine when to follow up and can reduce any anxiety you might feel about the whole interview and hiring process.

Keep track of everyone you talked to during this process. If you were interviewed by multiple people, record any useful information or particular concerns raised by each person. Make a note of the interviewers' names and contact information, or later ask the person who coordinated the interview for those details. Getting the names of everyone involved in your interview is crucial because you’ll want to follow up with a thank you for the interview note. A well-written thank you note helps make a great impression on your potential employers.

Follow Up With the Hiring Manager
Decisions about candidates are often made quickly, so it's important to send your follow-up email immediately, the same day if possible. You want your interviewers to remember you and these follow-ups can make a good impression. The follow-up email doesn’t have to belong. Keep it succinct, thank the interviewer for taking the time to speak with you, and mention these elements in your communication: An assertion that you believe the position is an excellent fit and you would welcome the opportunity to join their organization. Include a brief summary of one or two sentences indicating why the position is an excellent match given your assets and interests. Supply any additional information that will address areas of concern you were unable to fully address during the interview. For example, you might want to include a work sample demonstrating your competence in a key area of employer concern. Express your appreciation for the opportunity to meet, and if possible, compose slightly different personalized emails for each person rather than just copy/pasting the whole letter. Note something helpful that was shared with you by each individual. This is a nice touch—you definitely want to leave a good impression on all parties involved and be memorable. In addition, consider forwarding a separate communication expressing your gratitude to any helpful support staff people you met. Those staffers have more influence than you might think when it comes to hiring decisions. You want as many people on your side as possible.

Connect With Your Interviewer Online
It’s a good idea to think beyond the current position for which you’ve just interviewed because you're potentially creating a long-term relationship with this interviewer, even if you don't secure the immediate job opening. Review your post-interview notes and connect with your interviewer through LinkedIn by finding an opening for a connection based on a discussion that arose during your interview. Perhaps you mentioned a newspaper article relevant to their business that you'd like to forward, for instance. These connections are important because if you don’t get the current position, something might pop up later and the interviewer might think of you.

Notify Your References
Having suitable references is essential for your job search and you don’t want them to feel like they’re being cold-called by your potential employer. So, if you haven't already, alert your references they might receive a call or email and summarize your case for the job. Add in any points you want them to stress in their recommendation. In addition, If any of your strongest supporters have a contact within your prospective company, consider exploring their willingness to make an unsolicited endorsement on your behalf. People usually like to be helpful, but don’t forget to show appreciation for their endorsement with a follow-up thank you letter or email. In fact, sending a thank you note to all your references may be a good idea.

Don’t think a traditional 4-year university path is right for you? Don’t worry, Find Your Future is here to help. In this post, you’ll learn about 4 alternatives to 4-year degrees. Link to our Instagram: https://bit.ly/2KoVJDy

You’ve got a lot more options than you might think, from community college to apprenticeships. We hope that after reading this post, you’ll be more empowered to choose the best path for your future!

Also, stay tuned for more news on job openings and job fairs in the coming weeks!

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Find Your Future Original Content Series #4: 4-Year Degree Alternatives

Don’t think a traditional 4-year university path is right for you? Don’t worry, Find Your Future is here to help. In this post, you’ll learn about 4 alternatives to 4-year degrees. Link to our Instagram: https://bit.ly/2KoVJDy

You’ve got a lot more options than you might think, from community college to apprenticeships. We hope that after reading this post, you’ll be more empowered to choose the best path for your future!

Also, stay tuned for more news on job openings and job fairs in the coming weeks!

#interview #followup #follow #employment #jobs #hiring #recruitment #jobsearch #job #work #career #nowhiring #education #careers #recruiting #jobhunt #business #cv #youth #training #entrepreneur #findyourfuturela #fyfla #jobcase #resume #employmentopportunities #jobseeker

Stressing about childcare for your family? Want a reliable option that provides millions in financial childcare assistance?

Pathways LA is an amazing resource on Find Your Future that enables families around Los Angeles to apply for subsidized childcare. Pathways LA promotes strengths-based education and best practices for child development by assisting families, supporting child care providers, caring for children, and advocating for the community.

Visit Find Your Future's Support Resources page: findyourfuture.la/resources/support/

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Stressing about childcare for your family? Want a reliable option that provides millions in financial childcare assistance?

Pathways LA is an amazing resource on Find Your Future that enables families around Los Angeles to apply for subsidized childcare. Pathways LA promotes strengths-based education and best practices for child development by assisting families, supporting child care providers, caring for children, and advocating for the community.

Visit Find Your Future's Support Resources page: findyourfuture.la/resources/support/

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Do you need free or reduced cost support services, but don't know whats around you?

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Sign up for Find Your Future today, then visit our Support Resources tab!

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Do you need free or reduced cost support services, but don't know whats around you?

Look no further than the Aunt Bertha search bar on findyourfuture.la/resources/support/

This support resource allows you to search one of the largest databases for free and reduced cost support services by your ZIP code. Get connected with a resource that helps you today.

Sign up for Find Your Future today, then visit our Support Resources tab!

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Our 3rd post in Find Your Future's original content series is here!

Following up with an employer after an interview is very important. Not only is it business etiquette, but it also shows that you continue to be interested in the position.

In this quick guide, we give you some do's and don'ts for writing thank you / follow up emails and notes. We also give you some tips on what to do if the employer said they would have a result by a certain date, but miss the date or forget to reach out to you.

The guide is here: https://bit.ly/2ZlQWsS

Follow us on Instagram using the link above, and follow our Twitter @FYF_LA

#interview #followup #follow #employment #jobs #hiring #recruitment #jobsearch #job #work #career #nowhiring #education #careers #recruiting #jobhunt #business #cv #youth #training #entrepreneur #findyourfuturela #fyfla #jobcase #resume #employmentopportunities #jobseeker

Our 3rd post in Find Your Future's original content series is here!

Following up with an employer after an interview is very important. Not only is it business etiquette, but it also shows that you continue to be interested in the position.

In this quick guide, we give you some do's and don'ts for writing thank you / follow up emails and notes. We also give you some tips on what to do if the employer said they would have a result by a certain date, but miss the date or forget to reach out to you.

The guide is here: https://bit.ly/2ZlQWsS

Follow us on Instagram using the link above, and follow our Twitter @FYF_LA

#interview #followup #follow #employment #jobs #hiring #recruitment #jobsearch #job #work #career #nowhiring #education #careers #recruiting #jobhunt #business #cv #youth #training #entrepreneur #findyourfuturela #fyfla #jobcase #resume #employmentopportunities #jobseeker

Are you looking for a job, but need to learn the job skills to succeed? L.A. Youth at Work is an amazing resource on our website that allows you to browse free local job skills workshops by your zip code. These workshops are amazing ways to gain resume writing, interview, and career skills. If you’re free Tuesdays and Thursdays, take advantage of these events and invite your friends too!

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