Transcript Working With a Criminal Record
Working With a Criminal Record
Presented by Kim Coleman CEO, Employment Ventures www.employmentventures.org
E-mail: [email protected]
The Facts
Today's competitive job market presents a challenge for anyone seeking to move up. But a criminal record can make finding even entry-level positions even more difficult.
Rising Inmate Populations Mean More Ex-Offenders Seeking Jobs
Skyrocketing inmate populations mean millions of inmates released from jail or prison over the past five years are facing this scenario.
Federal Bureau of Justice Statistics
(BJS) data show that in 2009, more than 8.5 million adults were under some form of correctional supervision, including prison or jail, parole and probation. Approximately 3.4 million were incarcerated, leaving 4.9 million in society -- and looking for work. Ex-offender population demographics are also a factor. In 2009, there were 6,374 African American male prison inmates per 100,000 African American males in the United States, compared to 1,870 Hispanic male inmates per 100,000 Hispanic males and 687 white male inmates per 100,000 white males. In other words, African American males are incarcerated at a rate nearly seven times that of white males.
What You Need to Know
Though you may not have been guilty of the crime you were accused of, employers may not see it that way.
Be ready for some rejection, it is part of the game.
Many employers participate landing gainful employment.
in community rehabilitation programs that assist ex-offenders in Record expungement is not etched in stone. There are over 8,000 websites where employers can find anything they want pursue an expungement.
to know about your legal background. Think before you spend money on this effort. Get sound legal advice and representation to Check your own record to know exactly what an employer will see.
Check the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension website: https://cch.state.mn.us/Common/BCAHome.aspx
What You Need to Know
Prepare yourself by visiting a local workforce center and enroll into a Job Readiness program where an Employment Counselor can provide you with needed strategies and resources to successfully gain employment.
There are no miracles, you will need to cater your job search in a direction that fits your situation and know how to sell yourself.
If your release requires you to find employment in a limited time to prevent re-incarceration, use temporary agencies for immediate placement, but continue search for full time employment.
Your Employment Counselor may provide you with a list of
“Felony Friendly”
employers.
Don’t put too much faith in this list. Employers have the right to advertise that their hiring policy includes employing individuals with criminal records, but they may not actually be as open to this practice as they claim to be.
Interviewing
Always be honest.
If an employer hires you, then later discovers that you lied, the employer can likely legally fire you. That'll make it even tougher to land the next job.
Outline your conviction by answering
explain in
initiates it.
interview”.
yes
and then add:
“Will
Never disclose your record prior to the interview, and at the interview, only discuss it if the employer Always take a brochure about bonding and tax credits if it applies to your situation.
Explain the benefits to the employer.
See the Department of Employment and Economic
www.deed.state.mn.us/bonding www.deed.state.mn.us/wotc/page3.htm
Development:
Employers Expectations
Employers main concerns revolve around trust and safety issues because they have to protect their investments. Here are the main expectations: Employee Safety: Are you a danger to others.
Attendance and Reliability: Do you have strong work ethic; will you attend work regularly.
Interpersonal Skills: Can you get along with others.
Compliance: Can you take orders and follow directions.
Confidence: Can you convince the employer you are the person for the job and that you will not revert to criminal activity.
Quality: Is your work good or accurate enough to represent the company.
Productivity: Is your work fast enough, i.e., working at the rate an employer feels is reasonable to as of employees.
Reliability: If you say you will do something or be somewhere at a certain time, you will.
Honesty: Not stealing, telling the truth and not doing things on the worksite that are dishonest.
Interviewing
When you are discussing your record: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Be brief;
never go into great detail with an interviewer about your situation, remember the employer can get the information they are required to have from other sources.
Don’t make excuses.
This makes the employer doubt your integrity and you may seem desperate.
Present your situation in a positive manner
to assure the employer that if they are concerned about any activity in your record, you have learned a valued lesson and took steps to correct your mistake/s; i.e. anger management classes, skill building or other educational activities including work experience. Steer the interview toward the positives of your life as it is now.
Stay relaxed and be confident
Interviewing Questions
QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT BE ASKED AT A JOB INTERVIEW
1. What do you know about our company? (Find out what you can about the company) 2. What qualifications do you have for this job? (Match what you know about the job and company to your experience) 3. What is your greatest strength? (Relate to job description) 4. What is your greatest weakness? (Turn into positive; i.e., perfectionist with high self expectations. Admit a past problem and what you learned from it) 5. Tell about yourself. (Reveal something semi-personal but still professional) 6. What do you think you learned during your incarceration?
7. Why did you leave your previous job? (Turn into a positive) 8. Could you give an example of how you demonstrated skill?
9. Give me an example of how you handled a difficult situation on a previous job. 10. In a job, what interests you most/least? (Relate to position) 11. Where do you see yourself in three years? (Demonstrate ambition and flexibility) 12. What could you have done better on your last job? (Keep it positive) 13. What have you done recently that shows your initiative and willingness to work?
14. Tell me about your top 3 accomplishments.
15. Why should we hire you?
Interviewing Questions
QUESTIONS TO ASK INTERVIEWERS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What specific responsibilities would I have?
What might a typical workday in this job be like?
What types of career paths do people typically follow when they are promoted out of this position?
Who would be my supervisor?
With whom would I be working?
6.
7.
8.
To what extent will I be working independently or as a team member?
How large is the department?
Is there a training program for new employees? If so, can you explain your 9.
training program?
10.
How would my performance be evaluated?
11.
How is superior performance noted?
12.
Is there a probationary period? If so, how long?
13.
How do I take time off to see my parole agent / probation officer, these are mandatory appointments?
INTERVIEW CHECKLIST
Before the Interview: ü Check location, time, date and name of interviewer ü Find out as much as you can about the company ü Prepare some answers to common interview questions ü Practice interviewing and ask someone to critique your performance ü Determine salary expectations ü Dress appropriately and present a clean appearance ü Take extra copies of your resume ü Arrive on time During the Interview: ü Be prepared to shake hands when you introduce yourself to the interviewer ü Remember the interviewer’s name and use it during the interview ü Recognize that the interview is a conversation, not an interrogation ü Maintain good eye contact and try to smile ü Listen carefully and respond appropriately to questions ü Ask intelligent questions to show you are interested in the job ü Do not initiate money or benefits conversation until you have a job offer, but be prepared to negotiate a salary when the subject is raised ü Answer questions fully, but do not dominate the conversation ü Maintain good posture and present a positive attitude with a confident self-image ü Do not lie and do not bad-mouth past employers ü Find out the employer’s requirements for the position and tell how you met them ü Convince the employer that you are the best candidate for the job by carefully presenting your technical skills, general abilities and personality traits ü Close the interview by asking for the job ü Find out when to follow up After the Interview: ü Send a thank you note reasserting your interest and qualifications ü Follow up in a timely manner ü If you are not selected, try to find out why
Applications
The following sample job application areas will give you an idea of what to expect when you apply for a job and how to present yourself to potential employers.
You may be asked to fill out an application on the day of the interview, so make sure you are prepared to provide any necessary information about yourself and your employment history.
Have this information and your resume with you at all places you apply to so each employer has the same information.
Conflicting information can hinder your chances.
You never know who knows whom. Employers do talk and exchange information .
Applications
Because your record can be accessed by the public, you are a target for
identity theft .
This is when someone accesses you private information and uses it illegally. In order to better protect yourself you have the following option:
At the top of your application write: “Due to identity theft, the dashed spaces will be completed if hired” Personal Information
First Name: _____________________________ Middle Name: ___________________________ Last Name: _____________________________
Social Security Number: (enter dash) ----------- Driver’s License Number: (enter dash) ---------- Date of Birth: (enter dash) ---------- Street Address: Use street address, not name of facility
City: _______________ State: _______ Zip: ________
Applications
Education High School: If received GED while incarcerated, list school district instead of facility name Position Desired Title: Always put the title you are applying for – don’t leave blank or say “Any” Desired Salary Never put “open” or “any”. Use a dollar amount or “Negotiable”
Work Eligibility
Applications
Have you been convicted of or pleaded no contest to a felony within the last five years?
Yes:_______
No:_______
Please explain: “Will discuss in interview”
Have you been convicted of, pleaded guilty to, or pleaded no contest to, an act of dishonesty, or breach of trust or moral turpitude, such as misdemeanor petty theft, burglary, fraud, writing bad checks, and other related crimes within the last five (5) years?
Yes:_______
No:_______
Please explain: “Will discuss in interview”
Do you have other special training or skills (additional spoken or written languages, computer software knowledge, machine operation experience, etc.)?
List all obtained before and during incarceration. Also list any self-employment.
Applications
Employment History
Please give accurate and complete full-time employment record. Start with present or most recent employer. Include military experience if applicable.
Position: (If incarcerated and held a job while incarcerated)
Company Name: “Hennepin County” Job Title: List the actual title, if you took classes, list the class names Name of Supervisor: Get permission from that person and explain what job you are applying for.
Weekly Pay: “Rate of pay or 80.00/week cost of prison to house an Inmate”.
May we contact this employer?
Yes: _______
No: _______
Reason for leaving: Program/classes ended
Resumes
MICHAEL JACKSON
100 Neverland Ranch Somewhere in California 1-800-accused felon
OBJECTIVE
Full time position in the Industrial/Hospitality fields where I can utilize my experience in service and problem solving to enhance the productivity of the company.
Industrial/Hospitality SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Proficient warehouse worker with knowledge of shipping/receiving processes Experience with factory assembly work and Punch Press operation Experienced Janitor familiar with various chemical cleaning processes
Human Services
Experience with counseling and promoting individuals toward obtaining treatment for Alcohol and other drug abuse (AODA) 2002-2004 1998-2001 1996-Present 1986-Present 1999 1992
PROFESSIONAL HIGHLIGHTS Treatment Tutor Hennepin County-MN Outreach Worker/Maintenance Hennepin County-MN Temporary Assignments
Work Connection - Saint Paul, MN
Temporary Assignments
Q-Temp - Minneapolis, MN
EDUCATION General Education Diploma
Certified Nursing Assistant
Hopkins School District
Minnesota Technical College
“Fitting In” on the Job
Being the new person on the job is not always easy. Many people watch you to see what type worker you are. The
employees is true.
“new person” often gets the work that no one else wants.
Until you know who to trust, watch what you say, and be aware that not all advice given by
To “fit in” on the job you must look and act in a way similar to other responsible workers.
This means
your dress and grooming should be appropriate
; work is not the place to try out the latest fads in clothing or hairstyles.
Work is not the place for alcohol, drugs or romantic relationships, or dwelling on personal problems.
Never draw negative attention to yourself. Your time on the job should be spent working
, not spent on matters that would get in the way of your doing the job well or making others uncomfortable.
While you are learning your job, stay in touch with your supervisor.
supervisor tells you to; not what other workers say.
but don’t be a pest.
you are ready for new assignments.
motivated.
Do what your
Ask questions when you need to
Let your supervisor know when you have finished a task and that
This tells the employer you are hard working and
If you have to miss or be late for work (try not to), let the supervisor know in advance and provide written excuse or absences when possible.
Obtain a job description and/or outline of what is expected during your probationary period and
follow the guidelines so you can do your best to get a good performance review.
Resources
Adult Services Office of Adult Services
www.doleta.gov/programs
Dislocated Worker
www.doleta.gov/layoff
Career / Training Dept of Labor Career Voyages
www.careervoyages.org
Registered Apprenticeship Programs
www.doleta.gov/atels_bat
America's Career Information Network
www.acinet.org/acinet/default.asp
America's Career One Stop
http://careeronestop.org
Corrections American Correctional Association
www.aca.org
National Institute of Corrections
www.nicic.org
National Institute of Justice
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij
American Probation and Parole Asso.
www.appa-net.org
State Department of Corrections
www.corrections.com
Criminal Justice Information
National Criminal Justice Service www.ncjrs.gov
FBI Uniform Crime Report www.fbi.gov/ucr/ucr.htm
Juvenile Justice Stat. Brief. Book http://ojjdp.ncjrs.org/ojstatbb/index.html
National Archive of Criminal Justice Data www.icpsr.umich.edu/NACJD Bureau of Justice Statistics www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs
Disabilities
U.S. Dept of Justice ADA www.usdoj.gov/crt/ada/adahom1.htm
Office of Disability Employment Policy www.dol.gov/odep/welcome.html
Job Accommodation Network www.jan.wvu.edu/ Rehab Services Administration www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/rsa Disability Information www.disabilityinfo.gov
Job Links www.dol.gov/odep/joblinks/joblinks.htm
Resources
Employer Incentives for Hiring Ex-Offenders
Federal Bonding Program www.bonds4jobs.com
Work Opportunity Tax Credit www.uses.doleta.gov/wotcdata.asp
Job Search
America's Job Bank www.ajb.org
U.S. Government Jobs www.usajobs.gov
America's Service Locator www.servicelocator.org
USPS Zip Code Look Up zip4.usps.com/zip4/welcome.jsp
Promoting Ex-Offender Success
The Legal Action Center www.lac.org
National HIRE Network www.hirenetwork.org
National Re-Entry Resource Center www.reentrycenter.com
Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov
Form to Obtain Work History ww.socialsecurity.gov/online/ssa-7050.pdf
Starting A Business
U.S. Small Business Administration www.sba.gov
SCORE www.score.org
IRS (Search Small Business) www.irs.gov/index.html
Other
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission www.eeoc.gov
U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Division www.doleta.gov
National Sex Offender Public Registry www.nsopr.gov