Getting a Job as a Felon

Everyone makes mistakes in life. If you’ve been convicted of a crime, don’t give up hope on getting a job. St Joseph the Worker can provide you with all the tips and tricks necessary to gain sustainable employment. 

The most important part of job searching when you are justice involved is being honest. Employers need to know about your background to determine whether they will hire you. It’s much better to be honest and explain what you learned from your experience. Highlighting the positive takeaways from your past can help an employer know that you’ve grown and it’s behind you. While you do have a past, you have made reparations for your crimes, whether that be sentenced time or restitution and community supervision. 

Lets look at an example:

Joe has recently been released from prison for a paraphernalia charge and a DUI. Joe comes to St Joseph the Worker to find a job. We talk through Joe’s criminal history and work experience. We then find Joe job leads that match his situation, meaning that we only provide job leads that will accept his background. Joe then goes and applies to these places. When he gets an interview, he is honest about his past. By explaining that he went through addiction but is now clean, Joe is able to show the potential employer that he is doing better now and is ready to dedicate himself to the work at hand. Because Joe is honest and up front, he gains trust and scores the job.

What about if your crime involves violence or theft? That’s okay too. At St Joseph the Worker, we help everyone regardless of their criminal history. Employers are willing to give people a second chance if you can prove to them you are ready to learn and eager to show up every day with a good attitude. Job opportunities when you have a felony include violence or theft charges include: manufacturing, warehouse work, and skilled trade jobs that are commercial. Building a career is still possible, regardless of such charges.

 

Having said this, getting told no is part of finding employment. Rejection is part of the process for everyone. Having the dedication to persevere make all the difference in finding a job, and in your success once you get a job.

How can I get assistance?

As always, St Joseph the Worker is here to help. Stop by our office today to get help with job searching! We provide assistance with resume writing, job leads, and transportation to help you find your next job.  No appointment is required. You will walk out of our office with a resume, three job leads, interview clothing and transportation, and we will coach you in interviewing well and answer any other questions or concerns you may have. Feel free to call 844-SJW-JOBS (844-759-5627) today to find out more about how St Joseph the Worker can help you! 

Start Your Week With SJW

Subscribe to receive updates about new blog posts and client success stories every Monday morning. 

Subscribe Blog Footer

Like this article?

Share on Facebook
Share on Twitter
Share on Linkdin
Share on Pinterest

Similar Posts

Resume Tricks and Tips

Let’s talk resumes. What should my resume look like? How many pages should it be? What if I don’t have continuous work history? A resume can be the deciding factor between you and another candidate when applying to jobs, so

Read More »
Save money scrabble letters over money

Budgeting 101

Finding a job is a feat, and we are proud of each and every one of our clients who do so. The hard part of maintaining a sustainable livelihood is understanding how to correctly budget your money. Keeping up with bills and expenses in this time can be difficult. Follow the guide below to help you stay on track and further your sustainable life. … Read More

Read More »

7 Reasons Why Work Is Important To Addiction Recovery

To help those who are on the road to recovery, we asked addiction counselors and recovery specialists this question for their best insights. From establishing accountability to growing self-reliance, there are several ways that may help you understand how work helps build self-reliance and aid you in your addiction recovery. … Read More

Read More »

St. Joseph the Worker Welcomes Three New Board Members

Nonprofit Adds Diverse Backgrounds and Specialties to Board of Directors We’re pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to our Board of Directors. SJW’s sole mission is to assist homeless, low-income, and other disadvantaged individuals in their efforts

Read More »

Florence’s Success Story

Our clients come from all different types of backgrounds. Sometimes, we simply need a nudge in the right direction and the right resources to help along the way. For 35 years, our mission has been to connect the Valley’s disadvantaged,

Read More »

Leave a comment