Welcome, we're here to help
Mistakes should not define your future. This resource center was created to help those looking to overcome their past to achieve ambitious life goals, find a stable job, and connect with others. We have external resources to help with your transition and job search, information about "felon friendly" employers, and access to conversations happening right here in the Jobcase community.
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I'm keenly interested in knowing what challenges or obstacles post release felons are dealing with when looking for work. I want to know what state you live in, what kind of help are you getting to find work, what resources are available to you and who do you have to help you with everything you're required to do?
Are you on parole?
Are you required to find work within a certain period of time?
Do you have obstacles preventing you from finding a job such as addiction issues, housing, medical or mental health issues, transportation, education or lack of post release support & resources?
Tell me what your experience has been and tell me what you've learned from it. What do you think you need to be successful and to not reoffend or end up back in prison. Are you struggling with PV's due to lack of support or resources?
Share with me in the comments below. Your perspective is important.
Need a second chance after serving time? Good, felon-friendly jobs are available with the government and various companies. But you need to know how to get hired as an ex-offender. That includes deciding on a trade or other type of career to pursue, getting extra training if you need it, taking advantage of programs for ex-convicts, and more.
Millions of Americans have felony convictions. If you're one of them, you know that good jobs for felons aren't necessarily easy to come by. Securing employment is often the biggest challenge for ex-offenders and felons in this country. Opportunities can seem very sparse.
Even so, finding felony-friendly jobs is not impossible. Many ex-convicts are offered second chances, and you can join them. But first, it's important to remember a couple of things: Your experience is not uncommon. And the potential consequences of not persisting in your job search can be dire.
For felons, almost any legitimate job is better than the alternative of turning to crime. The job-search process can sometimes feel unfair and frustrating, but those who persist and know where to look often discover new reasons for hope and optimism about their futures. Jobs that hire felons may not be well advertised, but they are available if you make the extra effort necessary to find and qualify for them.
Some options require little to no post-secondary training. Many programs in the skilled trades will set you up for a paid apprenticeship, so you can earn a decent income while learning and gaining experience in your trade of choice.
Note: Not all employment opportunities within the following occupational areas are felon-friendly. They always depend on the policies and attitudes of each individual employer. And some of them depend on the vocational licensing regulations within your state. Certain felony convictions may Median hourly wage: $18.23 Typical qualifications: Vocational certificate
Delivery Driver Being a good driver can be very valuable in the job market. As long as you haven't committed theft or any serious traffic infractions (such as driving while intoxicated), you might be able to land a job that involves picking up and delivering packages or merchandise.
Median hourly wage: $17.62 Typical qualifications: Valid driver's license and a clean driving record
Shipping and Receiving Clerk Every large warehouse and big-box store requires clerks to handle and prepare incoming and outgoing merchandise or other materials. They tend to verify records, double-check items being delivered, and arrange shipments. It's a good job for certain kinds of ex-offenders who can be trusted with a lot of important details.
Median hourly wage: $17.74 Typical qualifications: High school diploma or GED
Helper to Construction Tradespeople What jobs can a felon get in the construction trades without becoming a licensed journeyman? Become a helper. Many skilled tradespeople need assistants willing to perform basic tasks such as carrying materials, holding tools, cleaning equipment and work sites, and helping with simple projects. For example, many carpenters, electricians, roofers, and stonemasons hire helpers. The bonus is that being a helper can provide a good introduction to a specific trade, which can help you decide whether to pursue it further yourself.
Median hourly wage: $18.04 Typical qualifications: High school diploma, GED, or vocational certificate
Barber Knowing how to cut and style men's hair, give clean shaves, and trim beards is a good set of skills to have. You might even be able to offer a mobile barbering service and go to your clients' homes or workplaces to make things more convenient for them. First, however, you should find out whether you'll be able to qualify for a barbering license in your state. Certain kinds of felonies might disqualify you.
Median hourly wage: $14.27 Typical qualifications: Vocational certificate or associate degree
Landscaping Worker Do you mind doing physically intensive work? Many gardening and landscaping companies hire people to help trim, water, fertilize, and plant lawns and other vegetation for their clients. Many of them also need people to help dig small trenches for sprinkler systems. And in some cases, they are willing to allow certain ex-cons to prove that they are honest and reliable workers.
Median hourly wage: $16.55 Typical qualifications: Vocational certificate or high school diploma or less
Dog Trainer Being around domesticated animals can be good for your mental health, especially if you've had to spend time in prison. Dogs are particularly worthy companions, which is why they are incredibly popular with many pet owners. Many dog owners will pay good money for help with training their canine companions to follow commands, stay well-behaved, or even perform basic tricks. That's why this industry sometimes offers enjoyable jobs for felony offenders who don't have violent backgrounds and want a chance at self-employment.
Median hourly wage: $15.04 Typical qualifications: Vocational certificate
Cook The culinary industry has a strong track record of being a good source of jobs for ex-cons. Many restaurants don't perform background checks. And if you prove that you can be counted upon, then this industry often provides opportunities for moving into higher, better-paying positions. Plus, in addition to restaurants, you might be able to find employment opportunities at institutional cafeterias. Just be aware that places like schools and hospitals will probably have stricter requirements and want to check your background for certain felonies.
Median hourly wage: $14.00 Typical qualifications: High school diploma or vocational certificate
Stock Clerk or Order Filler Large stores, warehouses, and distribution centers employ many people to help unload trucks, stock shelves, fill customers' orders, set up displays, and organize stock inventories. You may have to work early in the morning or late at night, but this kind of job can be fun in its own way. A felony conviction for theft, violence, or drug use may cause employers to not want to hire you. But if you can show good references and prove that you've matured as a person, you may have a chance at landing a position.
Median hourly wage: $14.48 Typical qualifications: High school diploma or less"
Remember to consider what skills you already possess that could be transferable. Look for job fairs and hiring events in your area. Check the local Union websites for hiring events and training schedules.
YouTube host for felon 2 felon channel Don Nichols has some straightforward guidance about decent paying jobs in felon friendly industries in 2023. He breaks down the top 5 jobs that reentry felons have a good chance of getting hired into, many of which have inexpensive and comprehensive training as well as being unionized industries.
Watch the video to see if any of these jobs interest you. Remember to think about transferable skills you may have had prior to incarceration as well as skills you acquired while completing your sentence. Also keep in mind that these industries are great segues into small business ownership which is an ever growing trend for those needing a second chance at having a productive income and lifestyle. Video link below:
Top 5 Felon Friendly Jobs 2023
#jobsearch #secondchances #careeropportunities #resume #application
I read posts from members here on Jobcase & in the Fair Chance to Succeed group that echo each other in their frustration over not being able to find a job or not being able to access resources they need to successfully reenter society. Finding a job is just one of the challenging obstacles they have to navigate an order to be successful and not contribute to the statistics of recidivism. Even if they are able to relocate to a new area to avoid individuals, populations and triggers of old behaviors they still need to find employment to support themselves and pay fines or restitutions.
Well, there is great news that you can find right here on Jobcase! As more resources are becoming available to those with felony backgrounds and more employers are willing to look at reentry populations as a viable workforce resource your odds of finding a job are increasing daily. And that's good news!
Some people that join Jobcase don't realize that we have a Resource Center that has very specific information to help guide and educate you on what's available under your particular circumstance. If you use the resource icon at the bottom of your page you will find a Second Chance Resource Center. Within this section you will find links to job search platforms that focus on assisting felons to find job and resource leads. The other terrific thing about that resource center is that one of our Community Specialists, @Janice Reed , provides current and informative posts that offer information about felon friendly industries, the best job search platforms for those with felony backgrounds, Federal resources, housing, financial assistance and so much more!
If you've never checked out the Resource Center I recommend going there immediately and seeing what it has to offer you. I'm also including a link at the end of this post with some additional information. Perhaps today is the day you find the lead you've been searching for and the rest is up to you. 👍
I read posts from members here on Jobcase & in the Fair Chance to Succeed group that echo each other in their frustration over not being able to find a job or not being able to access resources they need to successfully reenter society. Finding a job is just one of the challenging obstacles they have to navigate an order to be successful and not contribute to the statistics of recidivism. Even if they are able to relocate to a new area to avoid individuals, populations and triggers of old behaviors they still need to find employment to support themselves and pay fines or restitutions.
Well, there is great news that you can find right here on Jobcase! As more resources are becoming available to those with felony backgrounds and more employers are willing to look at reentry populations as a viable workforce resource your odds of finding a job are increasing daily. And that's good news!
Some people that join Jobcase don't realize that we have a Resource Center that has very specific information to help guide and educate you on what's available under your particular circumstance. If you use the resource icon at the bottom of your page you will find a Second Chance Resource Center. Within this section you will find links to job search platforms that focus on assisting felons to find job and resource leads. The other terrific thing about that resource center is that one of our Community Specialists, @Janice Reed, provides current and informative posts that offer information about felon friendly industries, the best job search platforms for those with felony backgrounds, Federal resources, housing, financial assistance and so much more!
If you've never checked out the Resource Center I recommend going there immediately and seeing what it has to offer you. I'm also including a link at the end of this post with some additional information. Perhaps today is the day you find the lead you've been searching for and the rest is up to you. 👍
Looking for a job or changing jobs when you have a felony in your background can be frustrating. For many of us regardless of the nature of our conviction and the amount of time that has passed since we served our time we still have to struggle to overcome social perceptions and the blanket ideology that anyone who is a felon is undesirable as an employee. This just simply isn't the case.
First of all, when a hiring manager looks up an applicant's criminal background there is no context to the charges or convictions they discover. There's no explanation as to what happened or why, no advocating for the person's character and no way of knowing why the court system chose the judgment that they did.
When a person with a felony background is looking for a job it is their responsibility to ensure that they communicate honestly and effectively about what happened, how that experience impacted them and how they are choosing to use that to move forward in their lives. We've all heard stories of people who have done time who then reentered society and did phenomenal things with that experience. There's no reason to believe that each one of you isn't capable of the same success. I will restate a caution that I've said before however, don't provide more information than what is absolutely necessary.
Here is an article from zippia.com about the best jobs for those with felony backgrounds as well as another list of companies who hire felons. Keep in mind that some of these industries offer apprenticeship positions that result in more permanent job placement and others provide comprehensive training programs to gain certification and opportunities for advancement within the company. Many of these do not require a high school diploma. If you lack work experience due to the amount of time you were incarcerated you can identify any work skills you learned during that time and be sure to note soft skills you learned as well. Skills such as effective communication, the ability to negotiate effectively, active listening skills, observation and attention to detail and teamwork are all transferable skills and an important component to who you are as a candidate.
Keep coming back to the Fair Chance to Succeed group for more information about hiring events, training programs, financial resources and other helpful information that can contribute to your job search success. Share with the group about your experiences, failures and successes as we can all benefit from it.
#hiringnews #interview #secondchances #application #resume #motivation
I just wanted to give anybody in this group with any decent mechanical prowess and experience a heads up. Jiffy Lube in Oregon is advertising a number of positions available in their local shops. I did some investigating and while Jiffy Lube doesn't have a specific policy about hiring felons, it seems to be based on each location and judged on individual merit of the applicant.
The recommendation is to go to the location you're interested in and ask to speak directly with the Manager. Dress business casual and conduct yourself politely and a friendly manner. Talk to the Manager and let them know about your record, how long it's been since the conviction and your release and what you learned from your experience. Explain how you are using that experience to better yourself moving forward. Do be cautious about offering too much information about the circumstances around your conviction. Answer questions directly and truthfully but be brief. Ask them if they would be willing to give you a chance to prove that you can be a hard-working member of the team. Be respectful and be confident. If they ask why you are not employed don't make comments such as "Man, I just can't find me a job. Nobody wants to hire me." Instead, explain that you haven't found the right opportunity that meets your needs yet but that you are keenly interested in working with their company and hope to advance within the company within the next 3 to 5 years. Every hiring manager likes to hear that. And why do you want to work for Jiffy Lube? Because the company has locations all over the US, has a solid reputation in most communities, they provide training and opportunities to advance and you're looking for that kind of career security.
Each Jiffy Lube mechanic goes through a comprehensive training but you'll have a better chance of getting hired on if you have any verifiable experience. It's also good if you know someone who works for them who can put in a good word for you.
Jiffy Lube does conduct background checks and they do drug testing.
I've attached a link below for the Jiffy Lube website. It gives you an opportunity to browse for shops in your local area and then I recommend contacting them directly.
