Ex-Offenders Job Search in the USA
People with criminal records may find the job search in their preferred career field difficult since the majority of companies in the USA follow strict policies of thorough background investigations. People who come out of drug or alcohol rehabilitation find that companies are more lenient towards them. The human resources officers are willing to give a chance to the person with a minor violation of the law on his record.
Why do companies employ ex-offenders?
The main reason for employing people with criminal records is the creation of support. A second reason for this is to get valuable work skills back into the corporate and job environment. Rather than having ex-offenders turn back to crime, companies provide opportunities for these people to become part of the productive workforce.
One of the assistance programs is geared towards incentives for the employers. It is an insurance cover for employers that protect them against damages that may result from the employment of ex-offenders.
Another incentive for employers is tax credits for up to a maximum amount of just over $2 300 for every person with a criminal record, hired. The employer receives tax reductions when they hire ex-offenders in applicable categories. The USA Labor Department has full details for employers.
Disclosure rules and regulations
The law in the USA states that no employer may discriminate against ex-offenders. The law however is aimed at persons with minor offense records. Serious offences such as rape, murder and violent acts do not fall in the scope of protection.
Several types of criminal offences are pardoned after a certain period depending on the nature of the offence. Imprisonment of six months or less is seen as pardoned after seven years, while minor offences are excused after only five years. If you were imprisoned for more than 30 months, the record is never wiped or excused. If an offence took place before the age of 18 years, the period is halved.
You are under no obligation to disclose an offence that has been pardoned and the employer may not discriminate against you on the grounds of pardoned offences. Certain jobs such as senior positions in financial institutions, working with disabled people, children or senior citizens, law or protections services, military positions, pharmaceutical jobs and specific prison positions are exempt from this and you will have to disclose pardoned offenses.
When is it applicable to disclose offenses?
Whenever there is a question on the application form or when the employer asks you in an interview, you should disclose offences. The best way to disclose your offenses is to attach a separate page to the application form with a full explanation for the reasons and the type of offences, as well as the date and relevant rehabilitation steps taken.
The Criminal Records Bureau acts as a policing agent to protect innocent people against persons who get employment, where they work with children or older people while they have a record of offences, such as child molestation, rape, murder, or violent acts. Employers may make use of their services when they screen applicants for certain job types.
Correctness of your record
It is your responsibility to make sure that the information on your criminal record is correct. You can obtain a copy of your criminal record from the relevant authority in your state or country. The Police Records Office is a good starting place.
Other tips for the job search
Be honest about your past on your application form. If an employer finds out that you have lied, you will be disqualified as a candidate and if you are already employed you may be fired right away.
Make use of the functional CV, which focuses on all your skills. You can indicate what types of relevant experience or skills you gained while you were in prison.
Develop interview skills. Prepare for possible questions about your past. You need to show repentance and should be able to demonstrate that you have changed.
Emphasize your achievements and determination to enhance your job skills.
You can for instance mention your attendance of night classes to get certification in a certain career field.
Networking is essential in the job search process. Talk to your friends, former colleagues and family about your career interests, skills and expectations. They may able to refer you to a relevant employer and may serve as character witnesses.
When you list your job experience, also consider the jobs you did while in prison as well as any part time positions held, while you did the job search.
March 28, 2008 at 7:22 AM
Have You Ever Been Convicted of a Crime?
This question is the most agonizing part of any ex-offenders job search. Some believe by being honest they don’t have a chance at getting a job. The fact is an employer cannot legally refuse to hire you because you have a criminal record unless the conviction is directly related to the job for which you are applying. I have spoken with former inmates who have lied on applications and gotten jobs, only to lose them later when background checks were done. Some have been encouraged to use the response Will discuss at interview. In my opinion, these are not good practices. The best advice I can give is BE HONEST! Employers have a responsibility to know as much as possible about prospective employees. There have been employers who have been found guilty of negligent hiring when employees who have criminal pasts committed acts that resulted in harm to others. Those situations could have been avoided by careful screening through background checks. Employers will ask directly on applications about criminal convictions as a means to protect himself, his business, and others.
In many states prospective employers may not ask about arrests that do not end in convictions. Pay careful attention to the wording of this question. It may vary from application to application. Typically the question will ask about convictions of crimes and/or felonies and not misdemeanors. If you are unsure about the type of convictions you have, you should obtain a copy of your record.
Many applications have a Certification/Release Statement that the applicant must sign before the application is considered. This statement may also be called an Authorization. The wording may vary but the employer is asking you to certify with your signature that all of the information you have given is correct. Part of this certification is a release that gives the employer access to information provided by past employers, law enforcement agencies, educational institutions and other organizations that may have information about you.
In reference to criminal records, it is necessary to list all relative information. Include the name of the conviction, date, location, and the disposition (time served, fine and/or probation.)
Example:
Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance 8/12/02 Houston, TX Time Served (18 mos.)
You may have to practice to fit your response into the space given. For those who have more than one conviction, list your convictions on a separate sheet of paper, make copies, and attach a copy to each application you complete. In the space provided, write see attached sheet. Be sure to list each and every conviction. I have seen individuals that had been working on jobs for months, suddenly lose them because of failing to list one conviction. That is why it is so important to get a copy of your record.
Properly completing employment applications will be the difference between being hired and not being hired.
This is just a sample of the powerful information found in the premier ex-offender job search manual “From Jail to a Job. Visit http://www.JailtoJob.com
Eric Mayo specializes in professional and personal development with special emphasis on life skills and job readiness training. Eric has over 20 years of corporate and educational experience which he uses to help people improve the quality of their lives.
Mr. Mayo has a degree in Business Administration from Seton Hall University where he was a standout member of both the Pirate football and wrestling teams. An author and lecturer, Eric is the author of the books, “From Jail to a Job", “The Teenager’s Guide to Getting a Job" , “The Secret to Getting Better Grades", and has addressed, among others, the Congressional Black Caucus, and the Charles Hamilton Institute for Race and Justice of the Harvard School of Law. He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and has spent his life committed to community empowerment.
Eric has been studying, learning, applying and executing the art of personal achievement and leadership throughout his career. It is truly his passion and his gift. He combines a straightforward approach and real-world perspective with a presentation style that is inspirational and motivational. His primary message is, “Independence through Self-Reliance."
You can contact Eric at www.jailtojob.com
March 28, 2008 at 7:24 AM
More Advice for Ex-offenders: Cleaning up Your Criminal Record
Having a criminal record is not the end of the world. There are legal ways to have criminal convictions removed from your record.
Expungement
It is important to know what is in your criminal record. There may be false or erroneous information included in your report that may damage your chances to be employed. You can have false information permanently removed from your record. In some cases certain charges can be officially and formally erased from your record. This process is called “expungement.” In some cases, felony convictions can be downgraded to misdemeanors making them easier to work with.
Sealing of Records
Some cases may even be legally “sealed” and can only be examined by order of the court. To seal a criminal record means that a court clerk is ordered by a judge to hide a court record of criminal proceedings from public view. Originally records were actually placed in an envelope which was secured with a wax seal. The records are not destroyed because under certain circumstances, a court can order that sealed records be reopened. Generally, however, the effect of sealing is the court acts as if the information in the record never existed. Even a juvenile record can be sealed through the juvenile court. Once this has been done, the offense shall be deemed never to have occurred. There are no exceptions to this type of sealing; offenses are treated as though they never happened. A court not only seals its records, but also orders that records containing information about the charges held by others be sealed as well. Once a criminal record is sealed, all of the proceedings in it are treated as if they never occurred. Persons may then properly and lawfully answer any questions about the arrest, acquittal, conviction etc., as if they never happened. For example, it is OK in a job interview or even under oath to deny a sealed conviction.
Certificate of Rehabilitation
A Certificate of Rehabilitation is a court order, which declares that a person who has been convicted of a felony is rehabilitated. If a petition for a Certificate of Rehabilitation is granted, it is forwarded to the Governor by the granting court and constitutes an application for a pardon. (In some cases the granting of a Certificate of Rehabilitation relieves some offenders from the sexual offender registration requirement.)
This information is not intended as legal advice. You should consult a qualified professional that is experienced in this field. There are organizations in your community that offer free or low cost legal services that can help with these processes. These organizations may also have relationships with employers who are willing to hire ex-offenders. Check your local telephone directory or ask your probation or parole officer to help you locate these organizations.
This is just a sample of the powerful information found in the premier ex-offender job search manual “From Jail to a Job. Visit http://www.JailtoJob.com