Whether you've just been released
from a lengthy incarceration or you had a minor scrape with the law
when you were a kid, a criminal record can be an added source of
anxiety in an already stressful job search. Depending on the
severity of your offense(s), your criminal record may not affect
your employment prospects at all, or it may make finding a job
nearly impossible. Still, you have reason to be hopeful. While you
may face some hurdles, you will eventually be able to find
employment, regardless of your record.
Steps
- Prepare while you are in prison. While serving time take
advantage of the many opportunities to get your G.E.D., start or
complete your college education, or get vocational training. Good
preparation is especially important if you have been away from the
outside world for an extended time, if you have limited job skills
and experience, or if you will not be able to return to your
previous area of employment (for example, if you were a bank teller
and were convicted of theft, you probably will no longer be able to
work in banking).
- Take advantage of education or job training programs that may
be available to you. Government agencies and non-profit
organizations provide a host of opportunities for all job seekers
to get more training or education. The experience and skills you
develop in these programs can make a big difference in the success
of your job search. There are also such programs targeted
specifically to people who have recently been released from prison.
These programs usually also help you find a job during the program
and after completion.
- Eliminate jobs for which your record will automatically
disqualify you. Your record may automatically disqualify you for
some positions, especially government jobs requiring security
clearances, military jobs, positions with fiduciary responsibility
(e.g., insurance or banking), and jobs working with children. If
you avoid wasting time on jobs you cannot possibly get, you'll be
able to focus on real opportunities and you'll be less likely to
get discouraged. Most importantly, though, do your research. Don't
just assume that your record will disqualify you from a certain
job.
- Be realistic. Honestly evaluating your qualifications is
important for all job seekers. You need to find something that fits
you and your skill level, and if you consistently apply for jobs
for which you don't have the right skills, you'll quickly become
discouraged.
- Start small and work your way up. Understand that when a person
sees your record, he or she may be reluctant to hire you for a
position with a lot of responsibility. That same person, however,
may be more than willing to give you a chance in another (usually
lower-paid) position. In addition, it's important to understand
that the biggest obstacle may be the gap in your employment
history, not simply your conviction. If you want to return to your
previous career, it's likely that business processes and tools may
have changed substantially since you left your last position, so
you'll probably need to take a step down to gain more training. Get
your foot in the door, especially with a company or in a field that
can lead to better opportunities in the future.
- Learn about the employment laws in your state and/or country.
In some countries (including
