My friends and I believe that making a mistake should not end your ability to get a job. Sadly, we’re not the majority of the hiring managers out there. That’s why we all tend to wince when we hear about our friends with charges hitting the job hunt.
Getting a job while you’re a felon is a tough thing. Most companies won’t give you a chance at all. If you get to the interview stage, you’re in luck. You found a company that might give you a shot.
But…how do you get the actual offer? These tips for felons are HR-approved and realistic.
Before we begin, remember that you should seek out felon-friendly jobs.
Many fields have legal bars against felony charges and specific offenses. Use common sense and avoid industries that are clearly not going to welcome you. For example, if you’re charged with assault of a minor, you shouldn’t work at a school.
Get strategic with your search. If you need help applying, check out our article about career advice for felons.
Check to see if your record can be expunged.
This might be a stretch, but there is always a chance you could move to get the charges dropped or expunged. In California, many felons got a clean record after laws changed requiring drug offenses to be expunged post-legalization.
Many people aren’t aware that they might be candidates for expungement. If you’ve already tried, then skip this tip and keep reading.
Be upfront about your conviction.
Most companies will do a background check on you—or at the very least, search your name on Google. Your record will eventually come up, either from a background check or someone spilling the beans.
If you try to hide your felony conviction, it will not work out well for you. That’s a fireable offense, even for companies that are generally open to hiring people with a criminal past. Honesty is the best policy.
Do your best to explain the situation while taking accountability. Sob stories will often put off employers because they can sound insincere. It’s better to say, “I was younger. I had issues. I took time to try to grow. I understand if this is a serious strike against me, but I’m willing to prove my worth.”
Answer any questions they may have related to the conviction in a clear, honest, and friendly manner. It’s the easiest way to show you are truly changed.
Dress your best.
Right now, you’re walking into an office where everyone is competing for the same job. Most people won’t have a conviction on their resume, but there’s good news to be had here.
Many of those people are confident, perhaps too confident.
You cannot control how people look at your felony charge, but you can control how they see you when you walk in the door. If you dress sharp, have a clean cut, and excellent hygiene, you will look put-together.
Sometimes, the make-or-break is how you look. Don’t underestimate the power of a well-fitted suit and a little perfume. It does more than you would expect.
Show You’re Busy
Jobs are a lot like cookies: you don’t want to be the last one touched. A long job gap is a major red flag for most recruiters, and that’s sadly a well-known fact.
You can avoid having that “no hire smell” by showing recruiters that you have been busy with your own business, main hustle, or education. Even if it’s something as simple as volunteering, keeping something on your resume is better than nothing.
Get social proof on your side, if you can.
There are few things that are as powerful as having other people back you up. That’s the concept of social proof. If others believe in you, your intended target will believe in you too.
There are several ways to get social proof in an interview. These include:
- Having someone who already works there refer you. Referrals tend to be the best way to get your foot in the door. Always, always network.
- Being part of a program. Many jails and nonprofits offer career programs that link you with businesses looking to hire once you’re out. If you can, try to get a spot at one of those places.
- Getting some good press. If you can, try to get some good press about a recent good deed you did. It can help sway recruiters who might be skeptical due to your charges.
Remember not to stop trying.
Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. If you give up before you get to the interview or just stop trying after the 10th “no,” you won’t find a job. Things won’t get better.
You can’t always control what other people do with their lives, nor can you control hiring practices of companies you don’t own. You can, however, control what you do. So keep on keeping on. Eventually, someone will have to say yes.
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