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Editors note: In response to continued requestsfor articles about this topic, this is the second in atwo-part series designed to assist job developersand others who work with people with criminalbackgrounds. Part I was an overview of the topicwritten by a counselor in the corrections system.The conclusion will focus on practical advice forthe job developer (or other employment specialist)and the job seeker.

In todays economy, finding a job is quite a

challenge for the nearly 700,000 ex-offenderswho leave state and federal prisons eachyear. And yet, without a job and supportnetwork to meet their basic needs, manyex-offenders fall back into old habits that leadthem back to jail.

Its true that some employers may not wantto hire someone with a criminal record. Infact, some laws specify that certain occupa-tions (such as banking, insurance, and child-care) are either off limits or carry restrictionsfor individuals with various types of criminalconvictions. However, many others are willing

to give ex-offenders a second chance. Butwhat should ex-offenders do to land a goodjob that will keep them out of jail? The fol-lowing are some ideas:

The ex-offender job seeker is respon-sible for his/her own employment fate.While many people (such as a job developer)will assist with your job search, YOU areresponsible for taking the actions necessaryto get a job. Dont rationalize your currentsituation, lack of progress, or frustrations, byblaming other people or believing that you

are a victim. After all, you are where you arebecause of CHOICES you made. Dontexpect others to find, or give, you a job. Youhave to earn a job by communicating yourqualifications to prospective employers andgaining their trust.

The ex-offender job seeker must devel-op and maintain a positive attitude andremain motivated throughout the jobsearch. Finding a job can be a frustrating

experience filled with disappointments. But itcan also be an exciting time to learn aboutyourself and land a job you really love. Whileyou will encounter disappointments, frustra-tions, and rejections along the way, acceptthese negatives as part of the process in find-ing a job. Constantly check your attitude tomake sure youre positive and pointed in theright direction.

The ex-offender job seeker must behonest with himself/herself and others.

Take a good look in the mirror. Who and whatdo you see? If you have a history of deceptionand excuses, its time to come clean and facewho you really are. Once you discover whoyou really are, theres no need to deceiveyourself and others.

The ex-offender job seeker must dis-close a criminal record at the appropriatetime and place. When and to whom shouldyou disclose your record? In todays high-tech society, in which employers can easilyconduct background checks, theres no placefor ex-offenders to hide. The best time andplace to disclose your record is usually dur-ing a job interview and before accepting a joboffer. Many employers will ask about redflags in your background during a job inter-view, or they will conduct a backgroundcheck just before or immediately after offer-ing you a job. You should never disclose yourcriminal background in a letter or on arsum. This is an important issue that needsto be handled in a face-to-face meeting with aprospective employer.

The ex-offender job seeker must seekthe help of other people who can assist atvarious stages of the job search. Your sup-port network will be an important asset. Thisincludes family, friends, acquaintances, andorganizations designed to help ex-offenders.Make sure you develop a support network thatcan give you good advice, referrals, andencouragement to help you through the ups

March 2011 JTPR Training Tool-Kit 1

TrainingTOOL-KITA TRAINING TOOL FOR THE JOB DEVELOPER TO SHARE WITH CLIENTS TO ASSIST THEM IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT

Getting Work for Ex-Offenders:Part II

8/7/2019 Getting Work for Ex-Offenders: Part II

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and downs of making a successful transitionback into society.

Myths vs. RealitiesThe following ideas will separate several

myths from realities, and conclude with an

exercise to test some job-searching attitudes.

Myth: Ill have to lie about my backgroundto get a good job.

Reality: As stated previously, it isnt diffi-cult for employers to find out about yourbackground. In fact, regardless of whethersomeones been in jail, many firms increas-ingly conduct background and referencechecks to determine not only truthfulness butto make sure theres a good fit between theindividual and the job. In addition, even if byluck you DO fool the potential employer

about your background, what if your paroleofficer checks up on you and calls youremployer? What if an old prison buddy showsup unexpectedly? Word gets around. Yourcriminal record will surface at some point,and when it does, your lie will be exposed,and theres a good chance youll be fired.Everything you worked for will be lost due toyour failure to disclose. Rather than live a lie,tell the truth in a positive way.

Myth: I cant use the Internet in my jobsearch because I dont own a computer.

Reality: If you dont know how to use acomputer or the Internet, you can learn thebasics in an hour or two. You dont have toown a computer either. Libraries and One-Stop Career Centers, for instance, haveInternet connections you can use for free. Thejob developer can help.

Test Job-Searching AttitudesIn a successful job search, ex-offender job

seekers must convey a positive attitude thatdemonstrates how theyre going to put theirpast behind them, and why hiring the job

seeker would benefit the company. Considersome not so good and better things for anex-offender job seeker to say to an employerin a job interview:

Negative I just got out of prison, and Ineed a job.

Positive While incarcerated, I turnedmy life around by getting my GED, learningnew skills, and controlling my anger and

addictions. Im really excited about workingat your company.

Negative I didnt like my last employer.Positive It was time for me to move on

to a more progressive company.

Negative Do you have a job?Positive Im conducting a job search. Do

you know anyone who might have an interestin someone with my qualifications?

Negative I cant come in for an inter-view tomorrow since Im interviewing foranother job. What about Wednesday? Thatlooks good.

Positive I have a conflict tomorrow.Wednesday would be good. Could we dosomething in the morning?

Negative What does this job pay?Positive How does the pay scale here

compare with other companies in the area?

Negative Will I have to work weekends?Positive What are the normal hours for

someone in this position?

Negative I have to see my parole officeronce a month. Can I have that day off?

Positive I need to keep an appointmentthe first Friday of each month. Would it be

OK if I took off three hours that day? I couldmake up the time, if necessary.

SummaryEx-offenders didnt get themselves into the

situations theyre in overnight, and they arentlikely to get out of them overnight either.They need to be patient, honest, organized,energetic, and they need to believe in them-selves. But it IS possible to meet employerswho will want to hire them because of theirtalents and new attitudes. Ex-offenders AREemployable!

Editors note: This article is designed as anoverview ONLY to this topic. For additionalexamples, consult The Ex-Offenders Job HuntingGuide, by Ron and Caryl Krannich, www.exoffenderreentry.com, www.impactpublications.com and TheEx-Offenders Quick Job Hunting Guide, Puttingthe 10 Steps into Action, also by Ron and CarylKrannich. Other resources on this topic are alsoavailable at the websites listed previously.

2JTPR Training Tool-Kit March 2011