Finding a job that will let you support yourself, develop your skills, and achieve your goals isn’t always an easy task. It’s even more challenging if you have a criminal record, a history of incarceration, or have limited work experience due to serving time. Fortunately, there are ways to make finding a job easier. Be proactive, and you may just surprise yourself.
Finding work after prison
One of the main reasons that former felons find it hard to re-enter the workforce once they’re released is a general lack of knowledge about how to do so, often coupled with a lack of educational credentials. People who gain a GED while in prison have a better chance of securing work, but it’s still far from straightforward. Even if it seems impossible, stick at it, work hard, and always be prepared. You’ll get there eventually. Try http://www.realjobsforfelons.com/jobs-for-felons/ for further advice and information.
Prepare your resume.
Your resume is your first real opportunity to show off to a potential employer. You need to make sure it highlights all your best bits, without exaggerating. You should list your skills in a way that shows them off while still being truthful, and make sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you’re applying for – employers can always tell. You should also be sure to keep things brief. No employer wants to read pages and pages of infinite detail.
It’s important to include any training courses, education, and jobs held while you were in prison. It doesn’t matter that you learned those skills while incarcerated. You still have them. Make sure your potential new employer knows everything you can do, and not just what you learned before you served time.
Put in the time.
If you’re looking for a job, you need to treat the process like it’s a job in itself. Spend a designated amount of time each day researching roles, filling out applications, and calling potential employers. If appropriate, you can also visit potential employers for a face-to-face chat. Make sure your resume is up-to-date, and you’re prepared to answer questions about your work experience, criminal record, and anything else that’s likely to come up in an initial conversation. Having the answers ready will show your potential employer that you’re serious.
You should also connect with local employment agencies and organizations set up to help offenders find work.
Expect to be asked about prison.
It’s inevitable that at some point during your search for employment, you’ll undergo a background check. At that time, your conviction will be revealed, even if you haven’t mentioned it before. Don’t lie. You’ll eventually be found out, and being seen to purposefully conceal a conviction will look worse than the fact you have one. Mention it in the initial stages of your application, and your honesty will serve you well. Answer any questions about the nature of your conviction honestly, but try and add a positive spin – something you learned in prison, a skill you developed, or a goal you set for the future. Every little thing helps.
