My brother can't get a job anywhere because of criminal convictions. What can he do?

Over the past 3 years, he has a felony and several lesser convictions against him including a DUI. All others are related to possesion. He's also spent 4-5 months over the past year in jail.

He applied for several entry level, minimum wage job at places like home depot and walgreens. Nobody would hire him after doing the background investigation.

He has turned his life around but now he can't even get a job at a mc. donalds. What options are left? It seems kind of sad to me that we live in a society where after making a few mistakes you're pretty much forced to become a begger or homeless. Fortunately my parrents have let him stay with them but this isn't a long term solution.

What can he do to get out of this hole? How long do those convictions show up on his record? Is there any hope for him? Are there any jobs that will hire a person in his situation?

je094

Trust me, if my low life half-brother can still manage to get jobs after being convicted of two felonies and several misdemeanors, then I don't think your brother will have a problem.

The felony will stay on his record forever, unless he appeals to your state's governor after some time (we're talking years, 5-10) and if he keeps out of trouble. It's not often a governor will expunge a felony. As for the lesser convictions, it might depend on the state, maybe 5-7 years.

Perhaps he should try going to the unemployment office. He cannot get unemployment benefits, but they may allow him to use their job placement services. He might also be able to work in construction. If he's good with tools or doesn't mind doing heavy lifting, they may be able to use him. Another option would be to perform odd or handyman jobs around the area.

I believe people deserve a second chance, too; and sometimes third chances. By the way, what I said about my half-sibling. He's been out of prison for nine years now and still can't get his life straight. He continues to lie, cheat, and steal, all the while thinking he can get away with it. I wish your brother the best of luck and sincerely hope he doesn't do the same thing my brother did.

my avatar's hot!

There are small employers who are not regulated by state law that prohibit convicted felons from being hired that will take him... construction, some local lumberyards, etc.

He can ask to have his record expunged after a certain amount of time, but he's got a few years of clean living ahead of him before he's even eligible for that option.

towanda

Someone that has been convicted several times in the last three years isn't going to come out on the top of the pile for a job. He hasn't proven that he's turned his life around because he's out and not working and has a terrible track record. He should not lie on an application because that will get you fired immediately or later whenever caught. It would look much better to be forthright. Perhaps he can go to your state employment place. They may be able to help place him. He needs to take the time to learn how to dress and act on an interview. He is going to have to really look good and outshine other applicants. Employers have the right to pick people they assume will be the better employees-that's just the way it works. He needs to just keep trying. Someone will be a soft touch and help him out but it could take some doing.

sdgrl30

Retail would be his worse choice, because of his convictions they have strict guidelines of who they can hire, and because of his convictions they wont be able. i have been managing retail for years, its not personal, its just the system corporate uses. There are jobs that dont care about his criminal past. One being an electrician apprentice, they start somewhere between 12 dollars an hour and a journeymen can make up to 26 dollars an hour. Another idea is a plumber apprentice. What state are you in? If you are in Ca check out berg electric, i know for sure they dont care about criminal pasts. IT may be hard work at first but if he can prove himself he will have a great career. he can also usually sign up at a local community college and take their apprentice program and work part time as labor and learn a trade such as carpentary, electrician, pipe fitter etc....these are all great and respectful careers. If you have no look there, check your community for job help center, usually there is a place where he can go and they will find him something.....good luck!

I_Love_McRedneck

Was he honest about his criminal history on the applications? If not, that's why he didn't get hired - not simply because he has a bad history.
He could ask his parole officer for some advice, I'm sure they know which companies hire ex-cons.
I'm sorry that he's still paying for his mistakes, but just because someone has gotten out of jail, doesn't mean they've learned their lesson. People need to understand that trust should be earned. He's got a lot of proving to do, but being homeless or a beggar isn't his last resort.

sbyldy

Your brother needs to go back to school to get more training. It will take a lot of time of staying clean and legal, and I mean years, not months for people to be able to trust him.

LaHoma K

I think it may be illegal, but he can pay to have his records sealed. My mom did that. I think her's were sealed by a politition that she did volunteer work for.

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