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The other piece is to have some direction and be realistic about your job search. Most large companies do background checks so that is something you will have to consider if you have a criminal history. A person cannot expect to land a $100k job as a Manager with a questionable past. You have to be willing to start where you are given the opportunity and show your employer that you can be a good worker, reliable, etc. and work from there. This goes for anybody, not just XYZ. Everybody has to start somewhere.

Today’s post was inspired by someone who emailed in for help this past week. This one is for you.

Lil Miss P continues her series looking at how you can stick to your plan, be persistent and succeed…

I once heard a famous pastor talk about how God writes the plans He has for us on our hearts – that the exact things you wish you could do, the person you feel you could be — are in line with the things God had in mind for you, too. Somehow, somewhere along the line, we can be pushed further and further away from that. Naysayers might discourage you from believing you can be what you feel in your heart of heart’s you can be. Circumstances and situations, such as where you are born or what you have access to, might make it seem impossible. Mistakes you’ve made, even getting into a gang or committing a crime, may make you think you can’t ever the plan God wrote for your life. But, you can. At any time in your life, on any day, you can make the choice to change the course – whether you are 18, 28, 50 or older. In fact, God knew exactly when you’d arrive, and trust me – His plan for you is more than ready.

I write a lot about looking within for what you really want to do in life because I believe God wants you to do it. And I know that things won’t necessarily happen tomorrow just because you’ve decided to take the course, but trust me when I say – when you start to make a move towards the plan God has painted on your heart, it will start to make moves towards you. One by one you’ll start to see how God will open up doors, put people across your path, give you the knowledge and information you need to do the job you know you have been destined for. All it takes, really, is you. Even if you’re keeping a job somewhere else to make rent, you can work towards what’s ahead for you. I was held like a prisoner for years in a job I didn’t like and did not feel fulfilled in so that I could pay the bills. Every day, I was so unfulfilled and tired. It was hard to be motivated to work there every day when I knew deep down I wanted to be doing other things. But, all the while, all along the way, I worked on the side towards what I really wanted to do with my life – and over time, I’ve gotten closer and closer to being able to do it.

No matter what your situation is, no matter what you did before, what’s around you – everything – is just temporary, as the famous pastor I’ve referenced said. It’s going to pass if you stay true to the plan, no matter how bad things get or how impossible it may seem. Regardless of what it looks like, or how frustrated you may feel, keep working. It will come. Now if you are not employed and looking for work, you’ll have to keep moving to find a job, knocking on doors, sending out your resume, etc. But, as you are doing so, each day take a little time to work towards what you really want in life. It can be as small as reading a chapter in a text book to taking one college course, to learning the skills you may need to make yourself more marketable to employers. If you’re at a job, you’ll have a harder time sometimes fitting in the work needed to move yourself forward. Don’t give up! Set aside a short time each week, when you can, to do the things that will help lay down that future job. It can be everything from studying to internship, to researching and learning. No matter what, keep doing it.

If you’re not sure how to find the plan God has for your life, go to a quiet place in your house or car, and just ask. He will reveal it to you.

Cool Careers

My high school had a college and career center that wasn’t very large and unfortunately, didn’t provide much insight or visibility into many careers. I grew up in a smaller town in a suburb of a major city where there weren’t many “big” jobs — mostly factories, doctor’s offices, libraries, and restaurants. It wasn’t until I got a little bit older and had moved into a bigger city that I started to really see all of the career choices out there, and even more so all of the different industries to work in. I also started to realize that the job I would be best at was one that didn’t just match what I knew how to do but what my God given natural born talents were. We all have them, we’re all born with something that we’re innately talented at — maybe not enough to land a pro football career, but without question something that can be leveraged to land you in a good career that you can build on. I had a natural talent for writing and communicating, and a bit of fearlessness. It actually made me a very good fit for a specific career that has benefitted me and given me a good life for more than ten years. I know God had to have played a part in all of it. If you’re reading this today, then I bet He wants to help play a part in your direction too. It inspired this week’s post because there may be others who, like me, didn’t know what opportunities were out there, let alone which ones to work towards. Below are some really cool careers that are not too difficult to get into and the natural skills that fit them:

– Public Relations/Publicist — This is a cool job where you are responsible for contacting newspapers, magazines and television stations to tell them about a client’s news. It can be fun and exciting because every day is different and you are always kept busy, and you’re also working with cool people in the media. You spend a lot of time talking with people, building relationships, emailing and doing research on the internet. It can also include a lot of writing. It’s a great job if you’re a good communicator — great at talking, writing, charismatic, etc. You can learn a lot of the specific job skills you need by doing — offer to help a local business with their publicity one day a week and call the media on behalf of them to build up experience. You can see what a press release and other public relations materials look like online to learn how to write them. Colleges have classes and degrees in the field. The entry level is mostly research, finding contacts, etc. so there is plenty of opportunity to work your way up. Sites like Craigs List and Monster.com list public relations/publicity jobs. What’s cool is that there is public relations/publicity in most industries — healthcare, technology, music, TV, fashion, etc.

– Stylist — If you have good style and a flair for fashion, it can actually be a career. There are personal shoppers and private stylists that work with people, from celebrities to everyday people who need help finding what to wear. There are also stylists for magazines, who handle laying out all of the clothes, and stylists for TV shows and films. It can branch into merchandising, which is more in the retail industry but still relies on a keen eye for putting things together. Stylists work with a lot of e-commerce stores to help style and present items, so there can be opportunity there, too. It’s helpful if you attend a fashion school to make connections and learn the business, but you can get into it simply with talent. There are many personal shopper organizations and groups if you do a Google search. Stylist jobs are a bit harder to find but Craigs List in New York and Los Angeles often have them. Merchandising jobs can be found in the retail category on Craigs List or Monster.com.

– Writer/Blogger — Writing skill can be a career in a few different areas. The obvious ones are writer/blogger for newspapers, magazines and internet sites, which can range from writing short, fast articles about news to writing fun things about handbags or stereos, to longer articles reporting on a topic or issue. To get started, what is most important is to rack up as many published examples of your work — it may require that you write for free a bit to accumulate enough to land a paid or regular job. Other writing jobs can include copy writing, where you are hired to write things like product descriptions or marketing copy for companies. Again, offering to do some work for free can help build up your samples to ultimately land a paid job. The downside of writing is that it can pay poorly or pay great, depending on who you are writing for. Since magazines and newspapers are affected by how many ads they can sell, it can be a fickle career to write for magazines or newspapers. But, if you have a natural talent for writing, you might want to check it out. Writing jobs are listed on Craigs List and sometimes on Monster, etc.

What’s important regardless of whatever work you do is to keep the hustle on. I have mentored hundreds of people and watched dozens more operate in various jobs and careers, and the only difference between those who are successful and those who are not is ambition. Next week I’ll post a few more cool careers and how to get into them.

Lil Miss P

THE JOB HUNT GAME

BY MIKE RAMEY

One of my favorite movies is Spy Game staring Robert Redford and Brad Pitt. The most telling illustration for my column is the following slogan from the cover of the soundtrack: “It’s not how you play the GAME…it’s how the game plays YOU.”

Hunting for a job is rough, time-consuming and pressure-packed process. Nevertheless- -when you boil it down–the job hunting process is a game. How well you play it will determine your future economic success. Of course, this game has rules (like most games do), and the rules are meant to be obeyed whether they are written or unwritten. For this month, we’re going to hit on some of the basic rules and discuss how to play the game and keeping your sanity while job hunting in a tight, recession-laden economy.

You may be asking yourself why such an article is needed. Simply stated, it has to do with some of the business articles I’ve been reading–including articles by and about people of color who are out on the job hunt.

Brothers, this is NOT the first recession that this country has been through. News flash? It will NOT be the last recession, depression or job slowdown you will see. As the `old folks’ used to say: “Just keep on LIVING and LEARN your lessons WELL!”

BE YOURSELF THROUGOUT THE PROCESS:

IF some of those articles are to be believed, we are being told that it is `safer’ to `ditch’ your `cultural heritage’ (including non-traditional sounding names, group/association memberships, etc.) in order to `hide’ your skin color and win a job.

Balderdash! If I would have to deny or change who I am before applying for a job, would it be a job worth having? Thirty pieces of silver put Jesus Christ on the cross. Sacrificing your self worth and/or culture for a paycheck is the blast that won’t last.

One of the first rules of the job hunt game is to be who you are. The successful are happy with whom they are–and it translates to solid applications, great interviews and qualified employees. Furthermore, IF you are a Christian, you should not lie on a job application, in an interview or any business deal.

The important thing: BE you…and be the best you that you can be!

FAILURE CAN HAPPEN IN THE JOB HUNT GAME:

The next rule is simple and should never be underestimated: “Life is NOT fair!” There are people who are under qualified and overqualified who manage to get hired BEFORE you do, and it just does not seem fair. It may seem like the race course may be rigged…but just keep on doing what you know how to do. Check the job blogs, mail out the resumes, pound the pavement and contact companies that fit into your employment plan. As one wise sage told me years ago: “A setback is a set-up for a comeback!”

Failure is as much a part of life as are breathing, heartbreak, death and taxes.

A few years back, John C. Maxwell penned a book on the subject is failure. Entitled: “Failing Forward: Turning Mistakes Into Stepping Stones For Success,” this work should become mandatory reading for job seekers. To paraphrase: Many of the successful people of today `failed’ in one (or more) ventures yesterday–and could fail tomorrow.

They won’t roll over and quit! The successful are persistent and KNOW that one must stay in the and play the game until you net that win!

Growing up, my home life had hit some troubles due to my parents’ divorce and some other problems my parents were having. They were unable to be of much help about college and career even though they wanted to help if they could and were supportive. I felt very alone to try to find my way, and when you are a teen that is hard. Money was tight and figuring out all the financial aid was hard. College career centers at high schools aren’t always that helpful — ours more or less told every girl to go one direction. It was only years after that I saw the scope of the very many careers and types of work, industries, etc. you can have! But for many years I didn’t really feel a sense of direction. Having not been exposed to much beyond what was in my city and what I had seen through school, I felt lost. I decided on a path, headed towards it, then tried another, only to find myself again unsure. Luckily, God had a plan.

At 22, I was introduced to a career and industry I didn’t know existed through a hobby: Playing sports. I was lending my free time to it for six months to help promote my team and before long I realized, this was the direction to go. I loved the work and it made me feel energized. It was a challenge each time and I felt fulfilled by it. Most of all, it fit right into my skills — I was not just crazy about the work, but I was actually very naturally good at it. How I had wished someone in my high school career center or my counselor would have showed me this career path earlier! By the time I had set my sights on it as a future career path, I was already capable of doing the work from the past things I had done with it. Within five years later, I was in a job doing it for a living, and two years after that making more money than I had ever before — and all of this having more or less taught myself how to do the work! It’s something that taught me time and time again that there are a lot of jobs you can get into or jobs you can advance in once you’re in simply by learning and educating yourself. I didn’t go to college for the career I had chosen, but I did earn enough work history and teach myself the necessary skills to be able to land not just one but several great jobs! I later continued college because I needed it for future potential, but I never forgot the lesson as long as I lived: You can teach yourself many great careers and you can advance in them by doing so.

Here’s how:

1. Learn. I was adamant to learn whatever I could about not just doing the job but also, in advancing forward. I learned about the industry and how it operated — what were the major job positions and titles? Which were entry level that I might be able to get into, and which would be those I should aim for in the future? I reached out to people at companies in the industry to do informational interviews and learn all I can from them. Almost nobody responded, but I didn’t give up and eventually here and there, people helped. They told me certain skills I should ensure I have, what technology and software were popular in the industry, and what companies were looking for in candidates at my level. I also continued to learn to improve my skill and ability to do the job. Believe it or not, by the time I switched my major in college for a degree specific to this industry, I had not only more or less taught myself how to do the work, but also was in a director position in the industry! Anything is possible with eduction and it is important to understand: Education can come from a variety of ways — including educating yourself.

2. Do. For a few short years, before I got my first “real” job in the business, I worked for free — internship — while earning a living at another job. There weren’t any internships directly at companies in my industry where I lived but I needed background and experience to put on my resume or I’d never land a job in it. So, I offered to work for free wherever I could and as often as I could on the side. I’d work at my regular job that paid the bills and when I had free time each week, “donate” my ability to other organizations, companies, etc. to build up my direct experience. Within a short time, I not only landed a job in the industry, but quickly advanced into higher level positions and better companies that paid more. As you are aiming for your career, be willing to earn some stripes like this. Most corporate careers have low or unpaid internships to give college students skills and training on the job, and in return you can get the necessary background needed to move forward. It doesn’t mean you have to be in college, or that you have to seek out formal internships. You can lend a hand to companies on your own as I did and it will work nearly as well.

3. Hustle. Most of all, you’ve got to be willing to keep moving and working towards what you want — relentlessly and tirelessly at times, but it truly works. Had I not been so aggressive in my pursuit the job and career I wanted, I would not be where I am today. Doors wouldn’t open, people wouldn’t help me — once I sent out over 200 resumes in two year’s time without even a single response! I did not stop moving and I did not give up. If a door felt closed, I looked for another, and another. I never gave in and I never gave up. As you try to get into a career, change your course or turn your life around, it’s going to be difficult at times — don’t sweat it. Just keep hustling! Keep making lists of what you want, who you want to talk to, and keep moving towards it. All those times I thought I was not seeing doors open actually turned out to be a blessing in disguise — I landed in a part of the industry that opened more doors — and bigger doors — than I could have ever imagined!

If you want to be a fashion designer, don’t just look into school — talk with other designers, find them and tell them what you’re interested in, ask for insight and help. Offer to lend your time — even if free — when you can or have free time to learn, learn, learn. If you want to be a musician, keep looking for contacts — most people in business can be found online, who you can reach out to even if by a phone call, note or email. If you want to be a reporter or a TV correspondent, reach out to the media in your town and see if there is any way you can get in — even if just for an internship. It can open up more doors that you ever know!

Lil Miss P

Lil Miss P continues her Knowing How series by checking out the things you need to do to get you in the right position to find a job.

One of the most important things you can do when trying to accomplish a goal or make a change is support. The right kind of mentors, guidance, etc. — and even the right employees and vendors when you own your own company or creating a project — can make all the difference. Not only can good people around you help you find your way, but they can also potentially benefit you in other areas. One of my biggest mentors helped me land some of my early positions that ended up opening up the right doors for my future career. Another made introductions and shared insight that helped catapult my work from there. Whether you’re job hunting to make ends meet or working on building the career of your dreams, the company you keep is important. Here’s how to find the right type of people to help move your goals and ideas.

1. Read. One of the most valuable tools during my entire career has been reading. I read the industry trades in the market I do work in, blogs, etc. Knowing what’s going on in the business you do, recent trends, news, and other happenings can help you edge out competition. There is nobody who is more successful than someone who knows their stuff. But also, reading can create the opportunity to find the right people to reach out to about jobs, doing business, etc. For example, I read Business Week cover to cover every year for years and often would contact those who were in the articles about doing business. It works!

2. Reach out. Once you’ve found a mentor or someone you’d like to connect with, the next step is to reach out to him or her and see if they’ll take a meeting or call with you. Even an exchange of emails where you’re able to get insight or develop a bond with a person can speak volumes in helping you get ahead. As you do, be quick and concise, stating who you are and what you’re up to in just a few short sentences. Get right to the point of what you’d like to connect with the person on. If its for mentorship, ask. If it’s just to gain information, see if he/she will do an informational interview over email, or answer a few questions.

3. Ready yourself. The key to effectively networking is to not just make it about what you want to accomplish, but what you have to bring to the table too. As I reach out to mentors, people I want to do business with, etc. I do make clear what I might be looking for but I also make very clear what kind of knowledge, insight and information I have that may benefit someone else — if you are a great writer and articulate speaker, say so. If you can give insight into a specific market, or have a special skill, let it be known. By stating your value and what you offer in quick, short form can make you valuable to whoever works with you and also enables them to understand where you may have skills or knowledge that may be able to help someone else.

4. Research. When it comes to mentors and advisors, or vendors and other support you might bring in, always make sure you’re researching who you are working with to ensure they’re the right fit for the job. A friend of mine constantly wants to have a certain business associate we know to advise on his company, but time and time again, I tell him that person is not really the right fit for what they need. When you’re looking into vendors, agencies, etc. to hire, always ask for client references and check out their work. Sometimes really great firms just aren’t a fit for something you may need to accomplish.

As you plan out what you want to do with your job/career, think about the kind of people that might help you along the way. It goes beyond just those who donate their time to mentorship — sometimes, reaching out to a TV exec, an author, etc. can put you under someone’s wing in other ways. Most of all, don’t be afraid to ask, and don’t be discouraged when someone takes time to respond (or doesn’t respond at all). It can take some of my advisors, mentors, etc. a long time to respond due to being busy. I try to remember that those who are helping me free of charge are doing so when they can. Just keep moving forward, reaching out to others, working towards your goals!

How to Get a Job with a Criminal Record

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

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

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. Learn about the employment laws in your state and/or country. In some countries (including the U.S.), employers generally cannot automatically disqualify you based solely on an arrest or even a conviction (if the nature of the crime is relevant to the job, however, they may lawfully base an adverse hiring decision on this). This is why applications that ask if you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime usually have a disclaimer stating that a “yes” answer may not necessarily prevent you from being hired. Know your rights, and consult an attorney or make an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) complaint if an employer unlawfully discriminates against you.
7. Be honest about your history. It can be tempting to lie when an application asks if you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime. Avoid the temptation: not only is this dishonest, chances are the lie will be discovered. Most employers now conduct some sort of background check, and if they find that you have been dishonest on the application you will almost certainly not be hired. If you’ve already been hired and the lie is discovered later, you can be fired for it. In addition, lying on some applications (such as for military enlistment) is a criminal offense.
8. Know what to answer on applications. Some states and countries now prohibit employers from asking about certain offenses, offenses that are over a certain number of years old, or arrests that did not result in a conviction. Your research on employment laws should help you know what questions you have to answer. In addition, be sure to answer only the specific question that is asked. For example, if the application asks if you’ve been convicted of a crime, you don’t need to put down an arrest that did not result in a conviction. If a conviction has been sealed or expunged from your record, or if you pled guilty to an offense and completed a pre-trial diversion program (i.e. deferred adjudication) that resulted in no conviction, you may not need to report these either. Be aware, however, that when enlisting in the military or certain federal government positions, you must report all offenses, even those that have been expunged or sealed.
9. Explain your answer if asked about convictions or arrests. Job applications and interviewers will give you an opportunity to explain the circumstances behind the offense or alleged offense. Be sure to take this opportunity if giving more information about the offense may be helpful.
10. Try to get an offense sealed or expunged from your record. Ask your attorney, public defender, or parole / probation officer whether you may be able to get the offense removed from your record so that you can legally and ethically answer “no” to conviction questions.
11. Employ yourself. If you’re willing to work extra hard and you have marketable skills or abilities you may be able to make your own opportunities. You could start a yard maintenance business or provide contract IT services to companies, for example. You are limited only by your imagination. Think about what you’re good at and what you like doing, and go for it. You’ll probably need to have another job while you’re getting your business on its feet, but if your record has you stuck in dead-end jobs, you might as well take a chance.
12. Consider joining the military. Some people think that the military will take just about anyone, while some think that you can’t get in at all with a criminal record. In the U.S., they’re both wrong. The military is selective, but depending on the type and number of offenses and the length of time since an offense, you may be able to get a waiver that will allow you to enlist. If you don’t live in the U.S., your country’s military may have more or less stringent policies. Before you enlist, consider the potential dangers of joining the military, but also consider the benefits. The military can provide job training and instill discipline if you have trouble motivating yourself.

Video

Tips

• Do not get discouraged. You will find work eventually. And remember, when hunting for a job, batting average isn’t important. All you have to do is to find one decent job. If you get that job on the 51st try, the 50 previous rejections will not matter. Remember, also, that the person who won’t consider anything beyond your record probably isn’t a person you’d want to work for, anyway.
• One tactic that works surprisingly well–try to delay disclosing your offense until as far down the interviewing process as possible. For example, if you have a serious offense on your record, write “ask” or “will discuss in interview” on the job application. This way you won’t get automatically screened out. The more people have an opportunity to get to know you, the greater your chances that they will like you and will consider hiring you as a person rather than blocking you out based on some preconceived notion.
• Especially if you’ve been incarcerated, there is nothing more important than a positive attitude. If you focus on your resentment of the system and feel upset or cheated by the system, this will serve to “keep you down.” If, however, you focus on the future and decide that you really want to succeed in the outside world, you will find that you have a lot of opportunity to get free or reduced-cost education, training, and career services to help you on your way.
• Your parole officer (P.O.) may be a great person, or he or she may be a jerk. Remember that your P.O. can be a great resource in your job hunt, and even if he or she isn’t as helpful as you’d like, it’s still a whole lot easier to deal with the P.O. a few times a month than to deal with correctional officers around the clock.
• Your Criminal Defense Lawyer is also a good reference and a good person to network with. Often he or she will have friends who can help you with forcing doors to open for you. They can also be helpful with job and career advice. Use them.
• Build your resume and get good professional references. Work hard and conscientiously in just about any position, and you can build experience and references that will make your criminal record less important to future employers. If you have to take an undesirable job, try to keep it in perspective. Do well in whatever job you take, and get education and training to help you move on.
• One way to put yourself on target for a job worth winning is to search for job descriptions from specific jobs you feel qualified for, from organizations you would like to work for. Review the job descriptions for the activities and functions of the job. Then review your background against each activity and function individually: Specifically assess your education, training, and work experience related to the jobs needs as you see them. This will offer you a good start toward reviewing your skills and work strengths against a typical employers needs. And, you’ll be developing language worth using in your interviews.

Warnings

• Do not resort to illegal activities, no matter how dire your circumstances are. Work hard and take whatever job is available if you have to, but don’t risk getting sent back to prison.
• If you have recently been released from prison, your job hunt may be particularly difficult, but you cannot afford to get discouraged. One of the conditions of your parole will likely be that you find a job. What’s more, studies show that people who find full-time employment in the year after release from prison are far more likely to stay out of prison than those who remain unemployed.
• One of the saddest things in the world is seeing someone get sent back to prison on a TPV (Technical Parole Violation). The fact is that there are a lot of things that other people can do without raising an eyebrow that will get you sent back. It’s not fair, but it’s reality. So, don’t cut corners. Don’t even get close to violating your terms of parole or probation. You can’t get back to living like a normal human being when you’re dead.
• Unfortunately, some unscrupulous employers try to take advantage of people with a criminal record (particularly those on parole or probation). They know that you are likely to need a job more than most people, and that you may need to fulfill legal requirements. If an employer unfairly threatens to fire you or report you to your parole officer in order to get you to work for less money or to perform sexual favors, for example, you should report the behavior to your case supervisor.
• Lying to a military recruiter about your criminal history is a felony—don’t do it.

Related wikiHows

• How to Deal With Being in Prison
• How to Switch Careers
• How to Get a Job After You’ve Been Fired
• How to Write a Resume
• How to Help a Friend Who Gets Arrested in the Middle of the Night

Sources and Citations

• HIRE Network A great source of information and assistance for people with criminal records who are trying to re-enter the workforce
• Reentry Net An online library on the consequences of criminal convictions
• PrivacyRights.org Article on getting back into the workforce after incarceration
• U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission Information on federal employment laws and how to file a discrimination complaint
• U.S. Army Article on joining the military with a criminal conviction
• http://www.ehow.com/how_5417025_job-record.html

Article provided by wikiHow, a wiki how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Get a Job with a Criminal Record. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Continuing her “Knowing How” series on how to find work,  Lil Miss P drops wisdom about…