Tips for Finding the Best Jobs for Felons

Mar 11

Finding a 'good' job for felons is a difficult task but it's important to keep looking. Felons can benefit others not only by filling job openings, but also by inspiring other people with their accomplishments. They've been in prison and have learned to focus on one task at a time, every day. Employers should hire felons whenever possible.

Tips to Find Companies that Hire Felons

1.Evaluate Yourself

To find a job, felons need to evaluate themselves to see if they're really qualified for a position. The first step in evaluating yourself is to determine your strengths. This is a short list of qualities and skills that will come in handy if you're trying to find a new job.

Ability to work well with others, both individually and in a group setting
Ability to handle stress
Ability to meet deadlines
Ability to perform analytical work
Ability to multitask
Ability to handle pressure
Ability to drive
Ability to operate computers
Ability to work well without supervision

2.Upgrade your Skills

It's important to focus on upgrading your education and skills if you want to find a job. Employers want employees who are capable of performing tasks at a high level. So, you should consider upgrading your education by taking out some time to attend classes or training.

Some employers will even pay for their employees' education. For example, many companies will pay for their employees' education if the employee is hired after attending a training program and getting certified in a specialized field.

3.Research Employers

Many companies have websites where felons can check to see if a company hires felons. The complete list of websites that hire felons is given at the end of this article.

Some of these websites have information on how to submit a resume, while others provide links to employment agencies that hire ex-convicts. Some websites provide detailed information about jobs for felons and how to apply, while others provide a list of companies with openings for felons.

4.Research Career Options

Do you have an idea of the kind of job you'd like to have? You should first identify what kind of jobs you're interested in. Some careers are better suited for people with criminal backgrounds, such as call center work, landscaping and agriculture. However, felons can also enjoy careers in sales, law, computer programming and criminal justice.

5.Research Companies

After identifying the kind of job you're interested in, you can conduct research about companies that offer that job. Conducting research about companies is especially helpful if you don't know anything about a company, such as its size, history and location.

Most websites provide links to information about employers, including their locations, missions, products, services, contact information, and job qualifications. Some websites provide links to information about high-growth industries and a list of the top jobs available in each state.

6.Search for Job Opportunities

Search for open positions in the desired field on websites such as CareerBuilder, Monster and Indeed. Use keywords such as “find employers that hire felons” or “find employers that hire felons online” when searching for jobs online.

7.Create a Professional Resume

Resumes help employers decide whether to make a hiring offer to a potential employee. In fact, many white collar employers won't even consider an applicant with a felony conviction.

However, many employers will take a second look at a resume with poor grammar, although a sloppy resume can backfire. Some employers won't even consider a resume if it's missing important information.

8.Put in the Effort

Felons shouldn't get discouraged if they can't find work right away. The job search process requires a lot of patience and perseverance. So, job seekers should allow themselves time to find a good job.

It's also important to be patient with the employer, since the person may be inexperienced and hasn't yet developed a solid understanding of the applicant's qualifications and skills.

9.Focus on One Job at Once

It's difficult for felons to focus their energy on getting a job if there are so many job opportunities to choose from. To avoid this dilemma, felons should focus on just one job at a time. This will increase their chances of landing a job and will also free up energy for other job search activities.

10.Keep Moving Forward

Felons should continue updating their resumes and applying for various positions until they get hired for a job, even if they get rejected by more than one employer. Even after being turned down for a job, felons should continue applying since they may have a future with the employer.

11.Know the Rules

While searching for a job, felons should also know the company's hiring policies. Many employers require convicted felons to disclose their arrest records on job applications. This requirement includes misdemeanors as well as felonies.

Employers may ask about felony convictions in person during the hiring process. To reduce the risk of disqualification, felons should avoid answering questions about their criminal record during the application process.

12.Find Companies that Hire Felons

Job opportunities are becoming more available and companies are more likely to hire ex-offenders if the offender meets the job's requirements. The following is a list of websites that provide links to Jobs that hire felons.

Conclusion

There are thousands of employers that hire felons, including some of the largest companies in the world. Employers are willing to hire felons because of valuable skills and experience that employees can obtain while in prison.

Some of the skills that a felon can develop include managing time efficiently, working with a team, and problem solving. These skills may make it easier for the company to handle the extra burden of a felon on the payroll.