I was convicted of a felony and served 14 months in prison. I have trouble finding work. what can I do?

pay it forward

What skills do you have? I think you have to prove you have something to offer to an employer no matter what has happened in the past. Do you have an employment office in your area. Actually, it would be the place people go to when they are unemployed. That have free classes that teach you have to do all kinds of things. You have to believe in yourself. If you have confindence you could get a job that someone who has a clean record can't get. So don't limit yourself by believing it is hard. Visualization is important.

Gomez Adams Obama

Ask the governor of Illinois to get you a job.

Grandma

you didn't say what you were convicted of, but I would suggest you look for a job in a market you have training in and then be up front on your app. Good luck.

Pamela

Make sure every other aspect about you is ideal....your interview demeanor and appearance, your grammer, your resume, and your manners. Do your best, and emphasize the fact that you have changed because of your experience....every successful person has had to grow at some point in their life through hardship in one way or another. Let an employer know how you have changed and grown as a person can benefit the job you want to have. Do not let other people hold you back, use what you have now.

shelly

maybe you can let them know that you you made a mistake in your past and you have learned and grew from it. Tell them that you are willing to work hard if they will give you a chance. Thats about all you can do.

Zayedbin Sultan

start at the bottom and work as hard as you can to help people believe that you have changed. it's not going to be easy, but you've sorta messed up an easier route

good luck to you, sir

Diamond.....1 M/C ~*~*

It depends on what your felony was for however I have an immediate family member that got a felony and she was given a huge list of places she cant work. Which was complete BS. Her felony was for DUI's and she cant work with kids or money or elderly people. Christ what kind of reforming are they doing in prisons anyway. But guess where she got a job...with the EEOC. the equal employment opportunity center. go to them and see where they can place u

Andy G {Join The Resistance}

I hate to tell you this, but you will find it even more difficult to find employment. Due to current economic conditions and multiple layoffs, many people are seeking a lot of work. Which is increased competition, and a lot of employers are not too thrilled about the idea of hiring a former felon.

However, all is not lost. You will have to work and start at the bottom of any job. Manual labor and possibly working Part-Time first or shifts that no one wants. Due to your current situation, you will probably have to work in very difficult conditions (3 AM stocker, midnight dishwasher, etc)

Without a stable work history, most employers will not consider your application. You could also see if t here is a way for you to return to school and learn a trade (carpentry, plumbing, electrician, etc)

You could try to spruce up your resume, see if any of your friends who may work in an office could help you. I wish you well.

Chad F

Be honest on your Apps. and hopefully someone will give you a chance to explain. If it was for drugs- go to NA classes and provide proof to employers when you go for an interview and make sure you are honest when you tell them you are clean and made a mistake. If it was for a violent crime- get in classes and have remorse for what you did when explaining your situation remember you only have one shot at it when you go for an interview so make them see that you made a mistake and you are a changed person . knowones perfect and bosses know that. Hang in there its tough for everyone to get employment right now and you have a strike. You can also try construction or landscaping. It can't be that serious of a crime you didn't do that much time. and no parole so you'll be fine. Good Luck!

Snakes Bite It's What TheyDo

Maybe start your own business as mentioned above,

Get training,

Christina S

maybe go back to school and get some more qualifications under your belt? Or an apprenticeship with an independant company, they're easier to get started with than the main companies that have to abide by stricter rules on who they can employ xo

Gabe H

Have a good attitude like you were never convicted of anything then depending on the person they will take you

Stu

Surely your probation officer can help you find work. Isn't that part of their job? I thought it was part of his or her job and part of your reformed character bit. Please correct me if I'm wrong its a bit different over this side of the pond.

Other than that I would try starting up on your own or just keep on trying. You may get knocked back time and time again but you have served your punishment and someone will be willing to give you another chance.

Start your own business.

John Ber

Some companies get bonuses and extra credit for hiring welfare receipients and former felons. Ask your probation officer for help, and your local unemployment office.
Do volunteer work with charity organizations so others with good standing in the community will vouch for your skills and experience. It's a numbers game, so apply for any job, even low pay jobs like at the dry cleaners, janitorial, car wash, holiday temporary work, roadwork, construction, try a temporary worker agencies.

MissMay

Try an employment agency, or go to Jimmy John's... I am not a convict and I'm still struggling to find work myself... Also you could look for RGIS (inventory taker) in your area, I think they are willing to working with people who are convicted felons. www.rgis.com (that's where I'm currently trying to get a job). Good luck!

Mike

after serving 3 years in the wacky shack prisons a job yeah right...,

Billie L Miller

Try a Ebay business

luke1994luke

what did you do?
maybe you could buy and sell, online buisness, armed robbery, that sort of thing

FullMetal

Try to explain you're sorry and you have to look real smart, with tux n' all. And don't use abrupt language.

leah123marie

Lie about your background and apply somewhere that is not likely to do a background check like a fast food restaurant or as a waiter or cook. Then, once you are done with probabtion, you can start applying to better jobs and include the fact that you were convicted of a felony. Right now you just need to get a job somewhere and establish some time there to show you are a good worker.

Or go back to college and get a degree. As long as it wasn't a drug conviction, you can still get student loans. Then you will have a degree and you will have put some time between yourself and your conviction.

Wild One

Go back to jail. Your sentence probably wasn't long enough. At least there you had three hots and a cot!

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