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.
Rejection from a company can sometimes lead to unexpected redemption. This happened to me when a company initially rejected me, only to later hire me after another interview. I spent nearly 23 years with them, witnessing their supportive environment. Life has its ways of turning things around. #SecondChances
In June 2020, former addict Ty Reed established Recovery Career Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people in recovery find and keep jobs. I came across this straightforward article and decided it would be of benefit to some of our members. Here's some sage guidance from an individual who's been there.
"HOW DO I EXPLAIN MY JOB GAP TO AN EMPLOYER?
Job gaps on a resume can be a red flag to an employer, and if you are recovering from a life of addiction, homelessness, and/or criminal justice involvement, it is likely that there will have been long periods where you did not have traditional employment.
The first rule of explaining a job gap is to always tell the truth, and be strategic about it. When I speak to clients, the advice I give to them largely depends on whether or not they have criminal convictions that will show up on a background check.
If Your Job Gap Is Due To Medical Or Health Issues:
The explanation for this situation is pretty easy. If you were out of the job market due to alcoholism or addiction, I recommend using the following:
“I was out of the workforce for a time due to a health matter. I am now ready to return to work.”
This is a good explanation for a couple of reasons. First, you should always tell the truth, and it’s the absolute truth. Alcoholism and addiction are clearly both health matters, so you are maintaining integrity with this answer.
Second, since you have framed this as a medical issue, legally, the employer cannot ask you anything further about it, which means you do not have to divulge anything else.
Depending on the job, the employer can still ask if you can fulfill the position’s physical requirements. For instance, you might have to be on your feet a certain number of hours a day or lift a certain amount of weight. But they cannot legally ask about any health condition or your past medical history.
If The Gap Is Due To Incarceration:
The Letter of Explanation - or LOE, as I’ll call it from now on — is the most essential tool in the box for those with a criminal record. It’s a proactive answer to the questions that will arise as employers learn about your personal history. In its best form, it’s a document that tells the story of the person you used to be and the person you are now. That’s why it’s critical to create an effective LOE for use in your quest to secure a Better job or Career position.
I say this often, and I firmly believe it - always tell the truth. Due to fear, it can be tempting to lie on a job application or in an interview, but don’t do it. In all likelihood, you’ll get fired once the employer finds out, and now you have burned any chance of ever working for that company. Plus, who wants to spend energy worrying about getting caught?
By being honest and upfront, you may even score some points for your truthfulness. That being said, always be honest, but be strategic about it."
To learn more about LOE's and Ty's journey, check out the links below.
I encourage you to explore the site menus. Ty provides resource information for addictions recovery, government resources, housing, employment and more. It leaves the reader feeling hopeful.
#motivation #interview #advice #secondchances #resourceinformation #fairchancetosuceed
In June 2020, former addict Ty Reed established Recovery Career Services, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people in recovery find and keep jobs. I came across this straightforward article and decided it would be of benefit to some of our members. Here's some sage guidance from an individual who's been there.
"HOW DO I EXPLAIN MY JOB GAP TO AN EMPLOYER?
Job gaps on a resume can be a red flag to an employer, and if you are recovering from a life of addiction, homelessness, and/or criminal justice involvement, it is likely that there will have been long periods where you did not have traditional employment.
The first rule of explaining a job gap is to always tell the truth, and be strategic about it. When I speak to clients, the advice I give to them largely depends on whether or not they have criminal convictions that will show up on a background check.
If Your Job Gap Is Due To Medical Or Health Issues:
The explanation for this situation is pretty easy. If you were out of the job market due to alcoholism or addiction, I recommend using the following:
“I was out of the workforce for a time due to a health matter. I am now ready to return to work.”
This is a good explanation for a couple of reasons. First, you should always tell the truth, and it’s the absolute truth. Alcoholism and addiction are clearly both health matters, so you are maintaining integrity with this answer.
Second, since you have framed this as a medical issue, legally, the employer cannot ask you anything further about it, which means you do not have to divulge anything else.
Depending on the job, the employer can still ask if you can fulfill the position’s physical requirements. For instance, you might have to be on your feet a certain number of hours a day or lift a certain amount of weight. But they cannot legally ask about any health condition or your past medical history.
If The Gap Is Due To Incarceration:
The Letter of Explanation - or LOE, as I’ll call it from now on — is the most essential tool in the box for those with a criminal record. It’s a proactive answer to the questions that will arise as employers learn about your personal history. In its best form, it’s a document that tells the story of the person you used to be and the person you are now. That’s why it’s critical to create an effective LOE for use in your quest to secure a Better job or Career position.
I say this often, and I firmly believe it - always tell the truth. Due to fear, it can be tempting to lie on a job application or in an interview, but don’t do it. In all likelihood, you’ll get fired once the employer finds out, and now you have burned any chance of ever working for that company. Plus, who wants to spend energy worrying about getting caught?
By being honest and upfront, you may even score some points for your truthfulness. That being said, always be honest, but be strategic about it."
To learn more about LOE's and Ty's journey, check out the links below.
I encourage you to explore the site menus. Ty provides resource information for addictions recovery, government resources, housing, employment and more. It leaves the reader feeling hopeful.
#motivation #advice #resourceinformation #secondchances #fairchancetosuceed
Oregon is a Ban The Box state in its entirety and there are a tremendous number of employers who have signed the Fair Chance Pledge. This means there are numerous and fair opportunities for felons and others with criminal background histories to find great job opportunities. This link is for Portland Oregon virtual job fairs that are presented on a reoccurring basis. This is a great opportunity for people looking to volunteer to get their foot in the door and for those who are looking to match their skills and experience with a great paying job opportunity.
Check out the link below and good luck!
#jobsearch #hiringnews #interview #hiringevents #secondchances #fairchanceopportunities #workfromhome
Center for Employment Opportunities: More Employment Resources For Felons
The Center for Employment Opportunities is an organization the has provided reentry resources for those reentering society following incarceration. They have functioned as an invaluable source of training, resources and job placement for individuals with felony criminal backgrounds for 27 years and have helped over 34,000 felons find success. They use their experience and expertise to advocate for and assist ex offenders and their communities to build stronger employment opportunities and help ensure long term productivity.
While locations don't yet exist in every state it is the organization's goal to continue to expand their mission to as many states as they can. They currently serve 31 cities in 12 states.
If you live in one of these states I encourage you to explore the avenues available to you through this organization. Then come back and let us know about what you discover as it may be valuable to other Jobcase members like yourself.
California Colorado Georgia Kentucky Louisiana Michigan New York North Carolina Ohio Oklahoma Pennsylvania Tennessee
I'm telling you the truth...(Must Read Without Failure.)
If you're waiting for the postman to deliver that mail: Letter for Success! Guess what? He's still searching for your name.
You are the ONLY person that can "reposition yourself for success."
Here's the twist...