Looking for a job with a felony conviction comes with challenges. In order to reenter the job market after a prison sentence requires a different preparation process.
First, what to do when “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” comes up in the job application process. This can discourage many people even if they are qualified for the role. Knowing the laws in your area about “Ban the Box” legislation could give you a better idea of what to expect during the application and interview process. “Ban the Box” legislation delays criminal history-related questions from the job application and delays the background check until after an offer is made. Prepare to speak matter-of-factly about your conviction or incarceration, who you are as a person and what you will bring to the job.
Second, what to do with little or no work experience or gaps in employment history. Know that many of the skills like working in a kitchen, laundry, or any other assigned job gained before and during incarceration can be of use to employers. These show you have work ethic, and can follow through on tasks and follow directions.
Being able to clearly explain the work gaps in your interview also helps. Be honest, but also explain how you’ve changed as a person and can be an asset to the company.
Another important thing to do is focusing on the right jobs for you. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) encourages second-chance employers to “look at the nature of the crime, the time that has passed since the offense, and then compare that to the nature of the job duties when deciding whether or not to hire someone with a felony.”
With this in mind, people can better decide which jobs to apply for.
That’s why MYFRSH is a helpful job search system for this; it sorts through thousands of job descriptions and automatically identifies the jobs that are the most compatible with your criminal record.
