What are the employment opportunities for felons?

Even when felons do get jobs they are restricted to construction or roofing jobs. If you havent heard most employees in those fields are constantly drunk or abusing drugs.It makes it really hard for an ex-felon to make a life change for better instead of back tracking right back to prision.Every now and then you'll find that "one" that makes it, but thats more rare than it should be.

Try Minnesota Wire and Cable, J & L Cable in St. Paul. Oil change places may be an option, except if the offence was car theft. Stryden Staffing in Edina places people in a job moving rentals from one car lot to the other. Stryden has looked at ex-offenders on a case-by-case basis, except for car theft offenses. 1st Choice Employment of White Bear Lake is an open-minded temporary and temp-to-permanent staffing company: 1stchoiceemploy.com They are particularly interested in CNC machinists, welders, and other skilled industrial workers. Also try Vision Staffing Solutions 763-428-2926. They don't have a blanket policy against ex-offenders. If you need to impress these case-by-case employers, show them that you have changed, that you won't reoffend, that you will be a safe and beneficial worker for their business.

Tell your friend to try to get his conviction expuged. Then he'll be able to honestly answer no in the felony question.

Also look at local resources. There are a lot of programs to get people back on their feet. Good luck, hope your friend knows a few business owners.

I am a 69 y/o exfconvicted felon. I'd been strugling to make end meet because I can't get a job because my record and my age, there r a lot of descrimination in florida for both. I'm retired and make $672.00 a month. and I can't survive on that kind of money.

I was working in a little restaurant but it shut down last month, I'm desperate to pay my rent, my bills, gas etc. How can I find a job for my age.?

It doesn't get any easier for us women who are convicted of felons. In fact I think it's even harder for us to find jobs. Even though you guys can get jobs in construction we can get even that type of jobs. The probation officers wants us to get jobs but where and who's going to hire you. I understand they want us to work but it very hard to find jobs that your employer wont judge you to badly. My officer told me to keep applying someone will hire you. Yeah who a fast food rest. How are you to live on that kind of income. You may make enough to pay something to the probation office or maybe some on the rent at the motel your renting or a little bit of food you can get of the week and then it's gone and you haven't improved on anything not even yourself worth. It's bad enough that you feel bad about what you done and now you have to lower yourself to explain what happened and sit there and look at your future employers face as you explain it. The answer I have gotten for my probation officer is that I shouldn't have done what I did. Well that's great when you have starving children you do what you can. It's just not fair we should be given another chance and not be judged for our crimes.

i was charged as an accomplice to a crime in 1999 and even though i was proven innocent i still paid my debt to society but ever since that i still cannot find a job and i am really desperately looking for work

I can relate to all of the people who have served time for a felony conviction & are unable to find employment! I am in the same boat! I have moved from Georgia back in March of 2008 to Oregon in hopes of finding employment; & unfortunatly,I have not had any employment opportunities since I have been fillimg out applications in Oregon. I am hoping that an employer will eventually hire me for my exp. in the construction field. & more so with all of the other skills I have outside of the construction field.

Felons aren't the only ones having a hard time. I was recently arrested for a misdemeanor and can not find any employment. The charge was dismissed, but still having a hard time. I don't know what I can do, I'm at the point I'm going to lose everything I have, I've had to deal with depression on top of all of this. How much more can I take!

I was just released from jail on December 31st, 2008 after having done a year and now I am a convicted felon and am looking for a job. I almost became hired for McDonalds last week but they do not have enough hours to offer if any./ What i have to offer is that there are federally bonded insurance programs for employers. The way this works is a prospective employer is willing to hire you or even if they are skeptical then you should inform them of this program. What it is, is insurance for the employer to take out on you for them as an incentive for them having hired them. SO in other words they will get payed for having hired you. Also there are programs for just getting released ex offenders who have done there time and have fullfilled their debt to society; who can enroll and they are there to help convicted felons not just find jobs but paths to their dream career path. These programs will help you overcomeyour boundries that society has placed on you due to you past decisions.

If you are eligible, the best step is to get your criminal record expunged or sealed. There are several ways to determine your eligibility: first, consult with an attorney that practices criminal law and knows about record relief. Second, call the clerk's office and ask if they can provide you with some direction for learning about the topic on your own. Third, check out a site like clearmyrecord.com where you can take an online questionnaire to determine your eligibility. If you're eligible, and the requirements do vary by state, then for sure make application to have your record cleared.

One poster mentioned federal bonding programs and that is a good one to mention to employers, especially smaller ones that may not know about the program. The other government program is called WOTC, short for Work Opportunity Tax Credit. The federal level will provide incentives of 40% of the first $6,000 of earnings for ex-offenders. Many states have additional dollars available, too, under their own WOTC program.

Lastly, check out www.hard2hire.com. That site exists to help ex-offenders match up with employers willing to really consider you based on your ability. Full disclosure, that website is where I work.

Hope that helps! Good luck.

I AM A CONVICTED FELON; I WAS 18 WHEN I WAS CHARGED AND I SERVED MY TIME JUST 2 GET OUT AND HAVE THE WHOLE WORLD LOOK DOWN ON ME. HOW CAN YOU CALL PRISON REHABILITATING;WHEN U CANT WORK 2 SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY AND DEPRESSION SETS IN AND THE CYCLE STARTS ALL OVER AGAIN. GETTING AHEAD WILL NEVER BE AN OPTION FOR ME, I WILL STRUGGLE MY ENTIRE LIFE JUST 2 GET BY. I HAVE 4 CHILDREN WHOM I TURNED MY LIFE AROUND FOR AND EVEN THOUGH IM A FELON THEY SEE HOW HARD IT IS 2 TURN YOUR LIFE AROUND BECAUSE ITS JUST 2 DANG HARD & OUR SOCIETY MAKES IT EVEN HARDER W/ JOB DISCRIMINATION. I STILL CHECK THE 'YES' BOX HOPING AND PRAYING SOMEONE WILL LET ME LIVE AGAIN! I AM NOW 28. TEN YEARS IVE BEEN AT IT AND CAN ONLY GET CONSTRUCTION,ROOFING,ETC. WHERE DRUGS AND ALCOHOL ARE UNAVOIDABLE.

I havn't read all of the postings but what it bored down to is that yes we all did something we not proud of.The thing is some of them things we done we didn't get caught for. But that doesn't mean we are bad peoples.Some of us try hard to get our lives back together and it's wrong to let somthing in our pass hold us back.Because one single person don't feel like you can change it holds you back from a open door of many blessings.

I've worked in as a Real Estate Agent and Broker for four years. I was released this year and have been actively seeking employment since my release. Are there any companies out there that would consider hiring me. I live in the Georgia area. I was hired by one company and when I went in for the final interview was asked if I was a felon. When I was honest and answered yes I was told that they could not hire me. Looking for a second chance. I've made some mistakes but paid my dues.

how do you get the money to get your felony removed if you cant even get a job to get the money

you want to know something. To all the people that are crying like a baby because you have a little hitch in your path get over it. Yeah their are a lot of people that wont hire people with a record, but you know what that means you got to man up stop feeling sorry for yourself . so what you made a couple of bad choices no one forced you to make them. but its up to you to make ways for yourself. There's money to be made out there, leagal money but you got to put in the work put in your apps tell the truth dont be scared because fear gets you nowhere the person that puts you on knowing that you did what you did means they have faith in you and thats the person you whant to be working for anyway not trying to keep anyone down but thats the truth the whole truth and nothing but the trust and I say that cause I love all hate it or love it.

My name is Doris Watkins. Twenty years ago I committed a crime. I did two years in a federal prison. Since my release I have re-educated myself. I have an Associates of Applied Bussiness in Legal Assisting, a Bachelor of Criminal Justice and also a Master's of Criminal Justice with emphasis on Corrections and I am still having trouble finding employment. I am also a Licensed and Ordained Minister with some CPE training. I always thought that the United States was a forgiving Country and I also thought the rehabilitation and corrections system was there to help people return to society to be productive citizens and give back to the community but I am not seeing any of that. But I will not give up. I can not get my record exspundged because it is federal.

My boyfriend was convicted of two felonies years ago and while he was able to find a job here in OR (charges were in FL) he is way overqualified. He is now 33 and has been a manager since he was 18. Becuase of these felonies, the only job he could get was through Jiffy Lube. He is capable of SOOOO much more and we all know it. I tell him to simply explain his situation when speaking with a potential new employer but no matter what he says or how he says it, he is always denied. Also NO ONE will rent an apartment to a felon. Does anyone have advice on what to do for either issue? I have a misdeamenor DUI (just pulled over, no charges attached) and even I am finding it difficult to get work in the field I am trained in. I too am capable of a lot and until the DUI back in 06, I had never been denied a job.
thanks

Well I get the same thing. I feel that its wrong but i will not give up because of it. If i have to start my own thing so be it. I say that because i had this felony when i was hired at hawker beech so I thank god for people who decide to do the right thing. The people that discriminate against others have to answer for being such people. I'm not god so what can I do. I always remember god will make a way out of none.

My husband has worked construction type jobs all his life and he's good at what he does. I know for sure that he is very gifted in being handy as well. Unfortunately in the recession he's been layed off and has been for over 1yr. 30yrs ago he was convicted with a felony and served 5yrs in jail. Now that he has been actively seeking employment and has been honest about his record he cant even get a cleaning job. Can you believe it, it's been over 30 yrs ago Its not like he killed or robbed someone. This is what we know for sure is we wont lay down and die! because others think your less than or not worthy of. The God i serve lets us know different. We are taking this opportunity to start our own business. The enemy meant this pass felony for his defeat but God is working it out for his good. His gifts were placed in him to prosper him and to Glory God. The system is dead wrong. Get a honest hustle going and build from there and put God right in the middle of it and it shall prosper. We have RIGHT NOW FAITH.

I, too, am having a hard time finding a job because of a conviction from 1997. Even positions that ask if you've been convicted of a crime in the past 7 years (which I can legally answer NO to) will go back further in a background check, thus diqualifying me from employment. I was actually hired by one company but when they did a background check and found the conviction they called me and told me that they could not employ someone of my caliber with their company. I asked the woman if she thought that someone who had 2 jobs in the past 12 years (10 at one position), always showed for work, changed schedules with ease, was loved by her customers, was hardworking and loyal wasn't right for her company - then she was right, she didn't need me. What society does not understand is, if convicted felons aren't able to find jobs, then there are very few options for them - with crime being up there. Hopefully, I won't have to resort to this and employers are missing out on a good employee without even knowing it. I was told that if I completed all my court obligations then my debt to society was paid. It may be paid, but it is thrown back into my face with every job interview.

I can surely relate to everyone's posts here. I have written here before and had explained how I am not able to find work due to my felony conviction. My probation officer sent me numerous job listings from the Snagajob.com site. Some of the jobs offered were cashier, sales associate, and automotive work. Does my probation officer really believe that someone with theft on their record can get this kind of work?! I am not even permitted to clean toilets with this felony conviction!!! Obviously, this shows how out of touch the probation officers are with a felon not being able to get hired. I believe with not being able to find work, I feel like I could have a mental breakdown! I think about finding a job from the time I get up until the time I go to sleep. I wish I could start my own business someway, somehow. I am getting sick and tired of being judged by employers! I may have made a mistake, but to make me a dependent citizen where I need others to help me survive is not the way to go. I would love to pay back the money that I owe, but the courts have decided to punish me for the rest of my life. I will never be able to pay off the creditors that I owe. Why should the people that I owe money to be punished also? They deserve to get paid, and as long as our court systems are set up to keep us down, I will never be able to pay what I owe!!! THE DISCRIMINATION MUST STOP TODAY!!!

I am sorry you are all going through this. I have a misdemeanor in my record and i can't get a job because of it.

I am having a very hard time in finding a job as well because of my past record.

I have had a very difficult time getting work since 2005. I was arrested for dealing in drugs...weed to be direct. I received three felonies. I did all i was asked to do, i violated twice then went into a rehabilitation center for my other addiction issues. I could have taken the easy way out and went to prison but i wanted to change and live better. i have made so many changes in my life and im so grateful to have taken that opportunity to receive the help and tools needed to stay clean. Yet, no one in the work force sees that. they don't know what I've gone through to be better and do right. They judge by what i have done rather than what i have become. I stand judged on a daily basis and i do not have the same rights as others. There is NO equal opportunity to work. No one will even give me a chance to prove myself. Yes i did have a drug issue and so i got caught..it probably saved my life. But they don't see it that way. These people they have committed crimes i don't care who they are or how little of a crime. the only difference between them and me (us) is that they didn't get caught.

Hi all. I have a similar situation, but I do have employment. I was arrested in 2005 for 4 felonies (poss. of CS, fake ID, forgery of financial instrument, tamp. of govt. record). I thought all was lost. It wasn't until 2006 I was sentenced to probation and C.S. I was released early for completing my requirements. I was fortunate enough to get a job working for Oxford International. While working their my manager informed me that no matter what happens in life, I can always get a sales job because they don't screen backgrounds. He knows from personal experience and he went from being a recruiter to a site manager managing an entire office. I have since been in IT sales and though the base is nothing to brag about, it does pay the bills and the commissions provide you the drive to want to succeed. I am now a Director for a staffing firm and work from home. Don't loose faith and don't keep thinking that the world is out to screw you. Trust me, you'll get nowhere. I made one bad decision one day and will forever pay for it and my charges show dismissed with no conviction. I look forward to my expungement in 2014! :o)
FYI, through my research on this, you'll find it hard to get a job in healthcare (including anything involving pharmaceuticals), law enforcement, legal, teaching, financial institutions, anything government related. Your best bet is to start out as call center/customer service (I know ACS hires people with backgrounds depending on the offense) and work your way into management. Sales is your best though.

IM A 36 Y.OLD MAN FRM DETROIT I GOT A B&E FELONY AN ITS HARD T0 EVEN GET CONSIDER FOR A JOB I HAVE 13YEARS IN RETAIL MANAGEMENT AN CANT LAND A JOB AS A SALES ASSC.IS THERE ANY TRADIES OR SCHOOLING FOR FELONS IN DETROIT MICHIGAN?

I am 29 years old and was convicted of 3 felonies in 2002. Im always honest on applications and have always been in the construction industry. So having been released in 2007 its been difficult to find a job willing to let me flex my construction management skills. I have a associates degree in Business Management and am finishing up a degree in Construction Management and also a career diploma in Contractor/Construction Management. I have been turned down for MANY construction management positions in the DC area SOLELY because of my criminal record. I have recently obtained a contractors license and the proper insurance to start my own company but desire to be employed by a large firm. What should I do????

I am 29 years old and was convicted of 3 felonies in 2002. Im always honest on applications and have always been in the construction industry. So having been released in 2007 its been difficult to find a job willing to let me flex my construction management skills. I have a associates degree in Business Management and am finishing up a degree in Construction Management and also a career diploma in Contractor/Construction Management. I have been turned down for MANY construction management positions in the DC area SOLELY because of my criminal record. I have recently obtained a contractors license and the proper insurance to start my own company but desire to be employed by a large firm. What should I do????

Apparently I too have a life sentence, by that I mean, I met my probation, will have my fines paid, had years of administrative work expererience, college educated - all that together means - NO WILL HIRE ME. This cycle has to end. I once had great credit, now due to no job I had to file backrupcy. I can barely keep a roof over my head. The state of NC doesn't allow expungements for felonies - all this means - I am doomed. It really is a life sentence. I will never have a good job, I will never have health insurance, I will never have any kind of retirement. Did I deserve all of this when I paid society back? So society would like for me to be homeless? Both my parents are passed now. I don't have anyone to help me. Probabtion officer tells me there are no programs out there to help me. Being a woman makes it even worse. Forget those sites that says HIRES FELONS... they are all tricks... most are really ads for going back to school!! Imagine that, like any of us could afford that. I am scared to death. I can't believe this is going to be my life. Someone gave me advise to start my own business - now how is that possible? I have no money and I don't qualify for a small business loan. Some counties have re-entry programs for felons out of jail.... yeah re-entry into working at McDonalds. Laws need to change. Once your debt is paid your record should be sheilded from employers (some I know can't be hidden)... but really people if you have paid the price and stayed out of trouble don't you think we all deserve something better? Pray for me and I will do the same for all. I can't believe one very bad mistake has now taken my life.

I have been looking for a job! I have a felony. I have three children i have to take care of. if anyone could help let me know!

I have been looking for a job! I have a felony. I have three children i have to take care of. if anyone could help let me know!

yeah i understand what you mean my husband has been out for two years and still can't find a job. its been five years since his charge. They say they go back seven years then they MIGHT consider him for a job but we talked toa lawyer and they said its legal to go back as far as they want. its hard on him but me also because i am the only one supporting a family of five. i mean he has made friends with our maintence man and he makes money that way but usually that is only enough to support him cuz its not a stable income its almost considered seasonal

Car services, limo drivers, taxi drivers, etc... They seem to hire felons. How about Lowes or Home Depot? I hear they do too. I'm not a felon but I can't find a job either!!

I live in Kentucky. I am 22 years old and charged with third degree burglary and theft by unlawful taking over $500. That's two class D felonies. I was 21 years old when the act was committed, and in an abusive relationship-my husband was involved in the crime. I have three years of university education, currently enrolled in school, and I work part time. Also, I am going through divorce with my husband. I have a public intoxication charge on my record, a disorderly conduct, and a littering charge. I am eligible for felony diversion, which would allow me a second chance at life, but the prosecutor is refusing to give it to me. I don't know how I am going to make a life for myself after this conviction. The state of Kentucky does not expunge felonies except by governor's pardon.

This felony thing has become a new form of segregation and discrimination

I can't get a job to make a living because of my felon

I can't get a job to make a living because of my felon

Basically what is happening is that most people with legal histories are not bond-able. So the insurance companies will not pay the high bond to insure us. The average bond for a person without a legal history is about 200.00 But when you have a legal history then the bond goes up to over 2000.00 plus dollars. So what it is that companies either do not want to pay or just unable to afford. Check into it....

Took $ that did not belong to me, charged with Theft 1, this month marks my 18 months probation served however the restitution is not paid up so not sure if probation will be extended? Im finding it VERY difficult to get a job, and now feeling even more discouraged to even try to look for a job. Married for 21 years & my not working is becoming a huge wedge between my spouse and I. We have two teenagers, one moved out and the other trying to transition to this gradual loss of possessions, house foreclosure, bankruptcy, repo-cars, etc... How are people dealing with these issues? I mean, am I just really depressed or going crazy? I try to hang onto hope everyday, but it's so hard & I cant find anyone who can relate to what Im going through, except for God. Pray for me, k? thanks!

Well i made some mistakes in my past but employers dont understand that people do change or why people did what they did. Me personally a friend told me he was stayin at this house and if i could help him get some stuff so being the good friend that i am i did and after i took him to pawn the stuff for him and came home and there were cops at my house they searched my car and found nothing but i still got charged for burglary of a habitation in 2003. I was an idiot kid. in 2006 i was working a good job for a third party billing company getting about 2200 a month doing well i just lived in a bad neighborhood and some area low budget gang threatened me so i got a gun for protection i got a family and theres no way ill let anyone take them from me. i got caught with it and got charged for felon in possession of a firearm. i got out in 2009 worked at a carwash for a few months and got me another good job at a hotel as a night auditor. paid me well but discrimination creeped up on me when a guest said they had money in a bag that was full of coupons n stuff. my security guard and my valet witnessed me open the bag and confirmed the contents i saw but due to the hotels rules customer is always right so i lost my job for not stealing for telling the truth. My situation now is almost impossible to find employment but to you go to hotels wash tub hires felons i was workin out of san antonio. mannylo_210@yahoo.com

WELL I AM A 33YR. OLD WOMAN AND I AM A FELON.I WAS WITH THIS GUY AND I CAUGHT A POSESSION OF COCAINE CHARGE.I VIOLATED MY PROBATION AND DID 4 MONTHS IN A COUNTY JAIL.I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR JOBS AND I HAVEN'T HAD ANY LUCK.I HEAR THAT THERE ARE PROGRAMS FOR CONVICTED FELONS TO HELP US GET JOBS IF THERE ARE SUCH PROGRAMS THEN WHAT ARE THEY AND DO THEY REALLY EXIST AND I HAVE HEARD ABOUT GETTING MY RECORD EXPUNGED BUT HOW CAN I DO THAT AND I CAN'T EVEN GET A JOB.SO CAN ANYBODY GIVE ME INFORMATION ABOUT ANY PROGRAMS.

I understand how you all feel, I from Georgia and I was in an abusive relationship with my son father. I decided to fight back and I was convicted of wreckless conduct,and stalking(in Georgia that is going to harm someone). That happened in 2003 this is the 7th year. All of them are misdemeanors, however I have been turned down for job after job because of it. I went to domestic violence classes for 1 year, community service, and a 300 dollar fine. I have not been in any trouble since that or before. Because I chose to fight back and not be choked out anymore I am being labled as crazy and not worth taking a chance on. I didn't even stay the night in jail or anything. I filled out paper work for my crimes to be expunge and I was denied!I also filled out paper work to have my criminal convictions pardoned by the state of georgia. Basically what that is you ask for forgivness from the state. Now I sent off that paper work in July. I have not heard anything at all from the state. I am so sick and tired of not being able to move forward it is very depressing, and heart breaking to me. My husband is in the military and it is hard on him, we only have 1 income and I want to help out. I am enrolled in school and obtaining a degree. Deep down I really fell like I am wasting my time going to school because no will hire me. So my question is WHY EVEN GO? I find strength to go. On the days I have to be there but it is hard because I think about it all the time. I went to a job interview this morning at Walmart, took the drug test which I know I will pass, but I was honest on the application and the paper to fill out for the background information. I am extremely worried that I will not get the job. After being told NO so many times you just give up.

Hey everyone...I've got 6 felonies on my record from when I was 17.Im now 26 and havent been in trouble since.I got 2 burgarly charges 3 dealen in stolen property charges and 1 grand theft.wow I know it looks really bad!I was young and dumb and hangen out with the wrong crowd!People make mistakes in there life some people learn from there mistakes and some don't!The ones that do learn try to better there selfs.But this world doesnt see that!They only see what you did in your past that was bad and not what you did after the fact to try and make yourself a better person.Trust me I did alot to try and make myself look like a better person but that didnt help at alllllll.Everybody declined me for a job!I filled out about 2000 applications and nobody would give me as chance.They looked at me like I was a bad meat cow.This made me stronger though I started pushen a lawn mower around my neighborhood and started mowen yards until I save enough money to buy a truck.then afrer about 6 months I had enough money to start a car detailing and pressure washing busines.And now I make around 200 to 300 a day.So im sayen is be your own boss.All it takes is drive to be what you wanna be and you can do trust me!!!!!

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