I want to invite everyone to check out Honest Jobs, a national job board with over 1,400 fair-chance employers. This site helps people with criminal records find employment up to 8X faster! www.honestjobs.com
Interviewing with a felony is frustrating for many reasons. You want to be upfront and honest about your past, but you don’t want to eliminate your chances of getting the position. At Honest Jobs, our purpose is to minimize this stress throughout the hiring process and match you with second-chance employers who are open to accepting your situation.
It is important for you to understand how to explain your background in terms of the values you have gained and the lessons you have learned through your experiences with the criminal justice system. As long as you’re honest about your record and can prove to employers that you’ve turned your life around, many will give you a chance.
Here are tips on how to interview with a felony record:
- Be Honest
Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to interviewing with a criminal background, since a lot depends on the type of crime and the employer interviewing you. However, we suggest being upfront and honest as soon as you have the opportunity to talk about your background. This approach takes more time, effort, and resilience, but getting hired after being honest with your interviewer lays the foundation for a solid reputation and career with the company. Additionally, most people will appreciate your honesty and the fact that you are working hard to overcome past mistakes.
- The C.O.D.C. Storyline
Following the C.O.D.C. storyline can help you explain your background resulting in a positive outcome.
C = Circumstances: What was your life like before the crime?
Explain what may have led to you committing a crime. There are many factors, such as depression, hard times, or hanging out with the wrong crowd that even people without a criminal record can often relate to. Understanding the circumstances can help your interviewer to see past the crime and focus more on your potential.
O = Ownership: Take responsibility for the crime and punishment.
After you have communicated where you were in life at the time of your offense, make sure you demonstrate taking responsibility for your actions. You want your interviewer to know that you recognize the importance of your punishment and any positive effects it had on your character.
D = Development: What have you learned from your mistakes?
Once you have explained how your punishment affected you, point out 3-4 things you have done/are doing to turn your life around. Your family, work, school, church, community, and personal passions are excellent topics to talk about. Do your best to relate these things to the job for which you are interviewing. For example, you could share how hard you've worked to rebuild your relationship with your family, and you are excited by the opportunity to be able to financially support them if hired.
C = Change: What actions you have taken to better yourself?
Summarize who you are now and what you have to offer. Highlight your personal mission and values to show that your actions are built on a solid foundation. The hiring decision often comes down to the candidate’s core values and personality. Also, remember to talk in terms of the job position you are applying for when explaining what skills and abilities you have.
- Follow the Employer’s Lead
After you have disclosed your background, some employers won’t ask for additional details about your criminal record, or they might only want to focus on job-related topics like the skills you gained during incarceration. If this is the case, be honest, but only share the details you feel are important for them to understand your situation. There's no need to overshare what happened in the past. The interview should focus on your skills and how you can contribute to the employer, rather than thoroughly explaining your offense. #secondchances #secondchance #criminalrecord # # #
I'm trying to help out my boyfriend who has a criminal record in Virginia. He's a hard worker and he's paid his dues to provide for his family. If anyone knows a place that would be willing to hire him or somewhere he could find housing, it'd be greatly appreciated! #record #criminalrecord #felon
Looking for felony friendly job. Perferable cash or 1099. I have had many jobs in the past. From hanging vinyl.to settings on modular homes. Tie down,block,level,skirt any lights with framing. Do repairs locally. My husband will be there to help and supervise.We also doftwork concrete. Side walks, curbs driveways husband been in business around 24yrs. In the lake area Has references. Lower cost than clarys concrete,rice concrete, and many other local landscaping company. .
I work in a place I really don't like to work but I have no choice cuz right now I am a felon I'm looking for places that hire felons
It is very challenging finding work having a recent felony conviction. Although it can be difficult maintaining a positive attitude, you need to keep on looking for job opportunities. I wish there was an easy solution, but, unfortunately, there isn’t.
During my interviews I always keep it 100% with all the confidence in the world knowing I am an ex felon. I am confident that I am such a hard worker that whatever jobs I get give me the advantage of having yet another good reference combating whatever negative effects the mistakes of my troubled youth bring. So, where as you have weaknesses in one area, you can make up for it in another. Keep your head up and don't give up. And just because it's not happening for you today doesn't mean anything except that there is probably something better out there for you. Have patience and pour your heart out. It'll work out.
I'm tired and frustrated that I can't get hire cause of a background check. I got turned down by 4 companies job offer after they ran a background check on me, and see a felony charge on my record then I get a phone call or an email saying they have to reject of the offer caused they don't hire anyone with a felony that is less than 7 years. I got a college degree, 10 years of. Management and machine operation experience, but it don't matter if you have a felony on your record.
Hey let me say that I was incarcerated before and think the reason might be that you withheld the letter even if for only a night, plus just taking it from might have been frowned soon, I would get a lawyer and sue for wrongful termination as well as other things e.g mental duress, retaliatory actions by superiors, and whatever else you can drum up, take it to them,
Well they placed me with a job I like worked the job for four days. I caught on to job great supervisor was impressed. Well I get ready go to work and job store calls and says we need to cancel your job assignment.i asked why and they say because my felony is only 2 years old. This job I was making 16hr. So I said ok she says don't worry come in I have another job for you do I go in to get the job assignment and it's for a job that pays 5$ less and does not match my skills. I mean litteraly a lab rat could do the job they gave me. This is all over my felonies and yes I was up front about my background. The company they sent me to first if felony friendly. What do I do?