Hi susan i am Mike from Kinston NC and i know exactly how you feel. I am a recently released prisoner of 8 years 6 months ago and every employer who has intetview me sees my background checks snd had blown me off. I have over 30 years in retail over 20 in grocery and c-store business which i went all the way up to management. What this state government and the employers has to relize is that if did have a prison record it should not matter what we did that we paid our price for our wrong for the time we served. So give us a chance and put us to work because you just dont know what you are giving up on and that is great hard working people who needs to work to take care of families and staying off the streets.

Hello everyone,my name isEdda I’m going through a difficult situation and I need someone to help me. I have been trying to get my self back on my feet for years and I’m so freakin upset with how this society is. I had a very ugly divorce and my ex-husband didn’t want to get a divorce so I did the paperwork and when my car broke down I asked him if I can use his car,he said yes but I wasn’t expecting what came next.He called the cops and said that i stole the car and took the car without his permission and then I was stopped and the officer told me that the car was reported stolen and I said that the car belonged to my husband and he said that my husband was the one who reported the car stolen and I told the officer that he gave me the keys to the car and he gave me permission to use his car. I was taken under arrest and I had a 250 thousand dollars bond.since All the bank account was under both of our names,he took my name of the bank account and I was left in jail for 7 months. I had a public defender and she did everything she could to get me out so after 7 months,I was given 3 years probation and 3 years suspended and since I had no one to be my witness when he let me borrow the car I have a larcening in the first degree in my record and no one wants to hire me and my life has been a living hell for what he did. I have been applying for jobs every we’re and still till this day, I have no job.what can I do when I’m falsely accused of something I didn’t do and who can help me to get a job and my life back on track. I have done so many applications and no one wants to hire a person that has a felony and making it worse it’s a felony that is about stealing.can someone help me please help me with a job, I can work in housekeeping and laundry attendant and in a warehouse or anything else that anybody can help me I have my own transportation and willing to work minimum wage if it’s necessary.All I want is to be a useful person in society and take care of my family.Thank you for reading my story

Hello everyone,my name isEdda I’m going through a difficult situation and I need someone to help me. I have been trying to get my self back on my feet for years and I’m so freakin upset with how this society is. I had a very ugly divorce and my ex-husband didn’t want to get a divorce so I did the paperwork and when my car broke down I asked him if I can use his car,he said yes but I wasn’t expecting what came next.He called the cops and said that i stole the car and took the car without his permission and then I was stopped and the officer told me that the car was reported stolen and I said that the car belonged to my husband and he said that my husband was the one who reported the car stolen and I told the officer that he gave me the keys to the car and he gave me permission to use his car. I was taken under arrest and I had a 250 thousand dollars bond.since All the bank account was under both of our names,he took my name of the bank account and I was left in jail for 7 months. I had a public defender and she did everything she could to get me out so after 7 months,I was given 3 years probation and 3 years suspended and since I had no one to be my witness when he let me borrow the car I have a larcening in the first degree in my record and no one wants to hire me and my life has been a living hell for what he did. I have been applying for jobs every we’re and still till this day, I have no job.what can I do when I’m falsely accused of something I didn’t do and who can help me to get a job and my life back on track. I have done so many applications and no one wants to hire a person that has a felony and making it worse it’s a felony that is about stealing.can someone help me please help me with a job, I can work in housekeeping and laundry attendant and in a warehouse or anything else that anybody can help me I have my own transportation and willing to work minimum wage if it’s necessary.All I want is to be a useful person in society and take care of my family.Thank you for reading my story

Ok,last one didn't post,so here it is,again, I have been in the food industry for well over ten years, then six years ago I got hung up because of my boyfriend at the time.,needless to say, I went to jail for two years,. I have been out for four years, I applied at a restaurant ,and was told to come in and train, which I did, . I know the systems they use, so I was right on top of everything and doing great. Once my training was over,they said they would call me, they never did. And when I called to find out, they where never there, nor did they call me back!! How am I supposed to be a part of society, working and paying my way??? All I want to do is work, .how am I to do that? People with felony charges shouldn't be shunned!!!

All my life,I've been in the restaurant field, wait staff, shift lead and even a general manager, Anyway, six years ago I got in trouble with the law, more my boyfriend at the time than me, but the bottom line was jail for two years, with a felony. I've been out for four years now, last week I applied at a restaurant, and was told to come in and train, I did, I knew the system that they used,so I was right on top of everything and doing great. Once my training was over,they said they would call, never did,and when I called to find out,they never returned my call..How am I supposed to be a part of society, working and paying my way,if I dont get a chance??? Looking for work

Im looking for jobs here in Sherman that hires ex-felons,need work asap..can anyone help?

If you have been arrested and/or convicted of a crime, I think you’ll agree that having a criminal record is quite possibly the most challenging career scenario of all; however, take heart…all hope is not lost. With a realistic outlook and a sound strategy, sprinkled with a generous side of patience and determination, you can land a job in spite of your criminal record.

With so many people having a criminal record, employers and the Federal Government have joined efforts to address this issue by allowing restored citizens the opportunity to work productive jobs that pay a decent wage so that they can support their families.

So, you may be asking, “What combination of elements could possibly form a sound-enough strategy to increase the likelihood of a successful career search in spite of a criminal record?” Well, hold on and I’ll tell you.

1. Have a realistic outlook – Acknowledge that you may be disqualified from some career fields because of the nature of the crime you committed. For example, you will likely not be able to work as a financial advisor if you robbed a bank. You also may find it difficult to get hired into the education or healthcare arena if you committed acts of violence.

2. Start Early – If you know that you are going to be in prison for any length of time, you must keep mentally active by determining what career field, trade, or skilled craft you are interested in. Research your field of interest to learn about the knowledge, skills and abilities are required to be successful in the field.

3. Have a background check run on yourself – If you are no longer incarcerated I strongly recommend that you have a criminal background check run on yourself. A good investigator will comb through public records in jurisdictions where you have lived to compile a report of your criminal background. Study the report so that you know exactly what is being reported about you. You can also access checkpeople.com to get this information on your own. (source: https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-with-a-Criminal-Record).

4. Know your state’s laws – Know what you are required to disclose to employers regarding arrests and convictions. Be honest, but only provide the required information.

5. Enroll in training courses – If possible, find and enroll in courses related to your area of interest. If you need to complete your GED or HS diploma, work towards that while you are being detained. Each step that you take towards making yourself more marketable is priceless. Another great way to increase your marketability is to build your technology skills. I can’t think of an industry that does not rely heavily on technology these days, so research the types of software your particular field of interest utilizes and learn as much as you can about them. Also, don’t forget to practice your reading, writing, and speaking correct English. This will help you to make a great first impression to employers.

6. Work your way up – Understand that you may start at the entry level and have to earn the employer’s confidence before they feel comfortable allowing you to move up in the organization.

7. Be Strategic – Try to stay away from the social media sites during your preparation to avoid having someone post anything on your timeline that indicates that you are/were incarcerated since many employer’s check social media for candidates’ online activity. Remember, you want the opportunity to present your qualifications without any preconceived bias in the employer’s mind. Instead, conduct a search of your field of interest on Linkedin to learn about organizations who need someone with your knowledge, skills, and abilities and to identify related professional organizations.

8. Learn where resources are – City-based job programs like Chicago (CTA Second Chance Program) and national resources such as the National H.I.R.E. Network. focus specifically on helping restored job seekers find stable employment, housing and more. Many colleges not only accept, but also have initiatives to attract and support, restored citizens. https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/strategies-for-successful-job-searching-with-a-criminal-record/

CareerOneStop, which is sponsored by the US Department of Labor, has published a guide filled with career, training and career search information for ex-offenders. https://www.careeronestop.org/TridionMultimedia/tcm24-26393_PDF_Job-Search-Help-for-Ex-offenders.pdf

During an interview, Carisa Miklusak, CEO of tilr, told Glassdoor® that, she’s seen restored citizens being placed with good success in logistics, manufacturing, graphic design, counseling, driving, painting, landscaping, cooking, tech and engineering, sales and marketing, and certain government jobs. https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/strategies-for-successful-job-searching-with-a-criminal-record/

Additional resources can be found at:

-Goodwill Industries (800)Goodwill -State Dept. of Labor -https://www.wikihow.com/Get-a-Job-with-a-Criminal-Record -https://backgroundchecks.me/lp/indexbl.html?engsec=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIysemzI7-2gIVxnzBCh3EMwLoEAEYAiAAEgLRAvD_BwE -https://www.wikihow.com/Expunge-an-Arrest -https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/exoffenders/find-job/barred-occupations.html -https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/exoffenders/find-job/benefits-ex-offenders.html -https://www.workplacefairness.org/criminal-records-workplace -https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/Resume-Dilemma-Criminal-Record

Know which companies employ restored citizens – Here’s a link to a list of major companies and higher education institutions that have signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge and are hiring on Monster:

Check out the full list of businesses that have signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge. https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ex-felon-job-seekers-business-pledge

Know your rights – Research if you possibly qualify for expungement where your criminal history would be removed from background searches.

Know when to share information – Remember, timing is everything. Recommends, give the interviewer an opportunity to like you and be impressed with your professional qualifications. If you aren’t a match for the role, criminal record or not, you aren’t getting hired. There is no need to share information too early if the interview isn’t going well. Once you see signs that you are a good match for the role and will be asked for a second interview, it might be time to speak up. If you have a felony or a more serious misdemeanor, you should bring it up before accepting a second meeting. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-land-a-job-with-a-criminal-record-2016-2

Be encouraged. Your second chance is out there.

Does anyone know anyone who is either selling or would be willing to donate a rolling bottom box tool box, any condition? I'm trying to get back into the workforce after 18 years in prison, but don't have th extra $ to buy a box to put my tools in.

It's the first time if I'm ever going to do something like this cuz I never knew that my love what hit rock bottom well it sure feels like it I was single parent who had given legal guardianship to my mother last year my mom was diagnosed with Stage 2 stomach cancer I decided to go back to school in May but come July 10th at 5: 30 a. M my mother passed away I was her caretaker during hospice knowing that I left Texas and everything behind I was coming back to California with filling and the thought of coming back to nothing then I realized mother left we were responsible for my older sister who is disabled and not only that she is blind but that I became her eyes and her feet my daughter was given to me with full custody now I only have not one responsibility but to not including them mortgage payment but for some reason a year later around this time my sister gets better I don't need that she and it's relieving me for my position as being her caregiver but also kick me out the house but I was helping her pay bills not once within this past year that I have a chance to save money for myself because I gave every paycheck to my sister so that my daughter would have a nice roof over her head and clothes even though I didn't have much for myself I was okay at the fact for my daughter being in a position I was able to pay for her ballet classes you know her private school such a thing my sister kicks me out now I'm in a position where I'm homeless with my girlfriend and my daughter at this very moment I have a fixed and set income a 550 a month because of my unemployment and Cash Aid I'm running low on funds conference I've applied for the homeless assistance program my two weeks were up this last week as of now tonight's my last night at the motel for about 3 weeks the welfare department has had me running around in circles and at the last week they found his tell me what I really needed to do I was fixed at a very low income but due to my past criminal record a lot of apartments and property Management's are denying me for a place there's anyone that's out there that can help me my little girl and my girlfriend find me 2 bedroom is $550 legitimate income coming in every month it will be a lot of help so let's see with this job case can do to help me out and my family I can care less about me but my family is what matters to me the most a place in Bakersfield or somewhere in Kern County. God bless

Been trying to find a good day time job who doesn't descrimate against felons can anybody help with.