Fair Chance to Succeed

When I was released from prison, I knew that finding a job would be one of the biggest challenges I was yet to face. After spending several years behind bars, I had a criminal record that made it hard to find employment. But I was determined to turn my life around and start over.

During my time away I completed every program the facility offered. I also made detailed plans that I felt would put me on the road to success, if I followed them. My focus was always on improving myself so there would be no chance of ever being in that lonely desolate spot again.

Every weekday morning I would pull my sock up and over the gaudy embarrassing black plastic box strapped tight to my ankle and slip into my freshly ironed slacks. Standing in front of the mirror, making sure the knot on my tie was just the right size, I would look myself in the eyes and say, “Today is the day.”

One day, I saw a job posting for a position at Duncan Donuts. I walked inside and felt out of place in my new Wal-Mart suit. I asked for an application and when I walked up to the counter and handed to the cashier, I asked her if I could speak to a manager.

I was nervous as I sat across from the owner. It was hard to read if the interview was going in the right direction from his point of view. I told my story and at the end of my revealing where I had been, why I had been there, what I had accomplished since then, and what my plans were, I said, “I am just looking for someone to give me a chance.

To my surprise, the owner offered me the job on the spot. He said, “I know you probably won’t stay with me for long, and I’m not going to be mad when you find a better paying job and have to move on. I am going to give you a chance.”

Working at Duncan Donuts wasn't glamorous and the pay was $7.25 per hour, but it was a start. I learned how to make coffee, donuts, and other baked goods. I also learned how to interact with customers and work as part of a team. It wasn't easy, but I was grateful for the opportunity to prove myself. I worked with a team of very kind people and we became like family.

Over a short period of time, I made a lot of friends who started out being customers and one of them set me up in an old mobile home with a rent payment I was able to afford every week.

After a few months I was offered a short-term assignment implementing an inventory system for a potato chip factory, and when everything was up and running they offered me a full-time position running the warehouse.

I knew the time had come for me to move on, but I will always be grateful for my time at Duncan Donuts. It was a stepping stone that helped me get back on my feet and start a new chapter in my life.

If you're in a similar situation, don't give up hope. There are always opportunities out there, even if they're not what you initially imagined. Keep trying, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. You never know where life will take you. #determination #persistence #success

Any available jobs i could start right now #jobsearch #application

Conner says "Consider This!

If you have a criminal record that includes a felony you may find that getting anyone to hire you can be a challenge. Even if finding a job isn't a condition of reentry, there's still things like food, housing, clothing & transportation that cost money. The inability to find gainful employment as a felon is a huge contributing factor in recidivism because many individuals gravitate back to old behaviors and destructive social relationships to support themselves and meet their needs.

Connor is a former Drug Court client who reached out to me to tell me that even after graduating from treatment he could not find a job in the Southern Oregon region. Having been in prison at 18 and being released at 26, he had only the work experience from prison. He was desperate to stay out of the system & make a life for himself so he connected with his former PO who took the time to research and together they found the terrific alternative of Apprenticeship.

Conner's PO found a company in Central Point Oregon who took him in as an Apprentice Electrician. Upon completing his apprenticeship and getting his GED through another Federally funded program, Conner is now fully employed, a Union member and capable of meeting all of his basic needs. He asked me to share his experience with anyone who might benefit from the information and I'm providing a link and a video to explore below. If finding a job has been challenging for you I encourage you to check out what might be available to you. Not all cities are participants in these apprenticeship programs but there is a changing perception about hiring felons in the workforce.

Apprenticeship Programs

Video

If you cannot find felon friendly apprenticeship partners in your area contact your local Dept of Justice and Bureau of Labor office for information.

#advice #jobsearch # #motivation

If you have a criminal record and you're looking for a job, it's important to know how to organize your resume to give yourself the best chance of success. Here are some tips to consider:

Be Honest: It's important to be honest about your criminal history. You don't want to hide anything, as this could come back to haunt you later on.

Highlight Your Skills: Focus on your skills and accomplishments rather than your criminal record. Highlight any skills or experiences that could be relevant to the job you're applying for.

Keep it Simple: Keep your resume simple and straightforward. Avoid using fancy fonts or complicated layouts that could distract from your message.

Show You've Changed: If you have undergone any rehabilitation programs, completed any training courses or taken steps to change your life, mention them on your resume. This will show potential employers that you are serious about moving forward and making a positive change in your life.

Remember, finding a job with a criminal record can be challenging, but it's not impossible. By being honest, highlighting your skills, keeping it simple, and showing you've changed, you can give yourself the best chance of success. Good luck! #jobsearch #resume #interview #wordsofadvice

If you feel as though you have no skills and are trying to find a job, it can be a challenging and discouraging situation, but you can still move yourself forward.

Identify your strengths:

Regardless of job-specific skills, everyone has strengths. Think about what you are good at, which, by the way, are strengths, which yes, are skills.

Now create a list of all those things and how those strengths/skills can be applied in a work setting.

You may just be surprised at how many strengths and skills you do have. I would love to hear about what you come up with...

#skills #strengths #worthy

What Matters To YOU?"

While looking up videos and articles today looking for inspiration about what I'd like to share with Fair Chance group members I watched about 45 minutes worth of videos, read a few redundant articles about felon friendly jobs, resources and so on and nothing resonated with me.

Most of the videos I watched were personal stories about people who were felons that shared their experiences about how they had these epiphanies that drove them to a place of success in society or those that, even though they've found a measure of success they are still "victims" of societal stigma for being a felon. Sure, the presentations were thought provoking and even inspiring in some cases but I was looking for answers and didn't really find any.

We post here on Jobcase about how to look for a job, offer resources and tools for building a great resume, learning interview tips, getting records expunged and other such helpful advice. It's one of the things that makes Jobcase a unique community for its members. We all have something valuable to contribute.

What I would like to know is, if after exploring all there is available to members with all our resource information and inspirational contributions, are there are still questions unanswered or circumstances we haven't addressed or needs we've not been on point in finding resources and resolution options for?

Is there something, anything we're missing?

What matters to you? What questions do you have ( and remember, there are no wrong questions), what obstacles are you facing and what, if anything, are we as a community not helping you find answers and information about? Please share and be honest about what you need help with. And remember, if you've thought about sharing something and you haven't because you're unsure if it's relevant or important I assure you, if it's important to you, it's important to someone else. #wordsofadvice #jobsearch #community

Check out this video to explore some of the high paying jobs you can do with a record! Boon explains how to get various positions in industries like Customer Service, Hospitality, Construction and more!

He gives advice and instructions on navigating the interview and application process, such as how to explain your background and what positive qualities to mention. Boon also tells us how to make the highest hourly possible, starting at $18 and progressing up to $25 an hour!

What are the Industries and Jobs where you’ve found success applying as a felon?? Let us know in the comments section below!!

#Jobsearch #Interview #Resume #Advice #Aboutmyjob #Application #SecondChance

Tommy had been unemployed for months, and his savings were now non-existent. He had applied to countless job openings but hadn't received any responses. He was getting desperate and needed to find a job that would provide him with a livable wage.

One day, he saw a flyer at the grocery store advertising for a position at a local factory. The job required manual labor, but it paid well, and he knew he had the physical ability to do it. Tommy immediately applied and was called in for an interview.
At the interview, Tommy was nervous but determined. He answered all the questions honestly and confidently, and to his surprise, he was offered the job. The pay was more than he had expected, and he was thrilled to finally earn a livable wage.

Tommy worked hard every day, showing up on time and putting in his best effort. The work was tiring and demanding, but he didn't complain. He was grateful for the opportunity to step inside the bank every week with a livable wage in his pocket. He smiled at the thought that he was doing it; he was finally providing for himself and his family.

Over time, Tommy's hard work paid off. He was promoted to a higher position, and his salary increased even more. He felt proud of his accomplishments and was grateful for the opportunity that the factory had given him. Years later, Tommy looked back on that moment at the grocery store when he had seen the flyer for the job. He realized that sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of determination and a willingness to work hard to earn a livable wage and achieve your goals. #now #believe #earnings