I am an ex felon and was fired from my job today after being there for a year.Corporate deciced to do a back?
ground check because they were going to promote me.When I was hired I didn’t tell the truth on the application in fear that they wouldn’t hire me and I desperatley needed the job,now I am out of a job and truly don’t know what to do.Is it possible to ever out run your past?Why do people hold your past against you?I really liked my job,I was working with young adults who I could talk to and try to get them not to make the same mistakes in life that I had.I truly thought I had out lived my past and had a fresh start.Where do I go from here?Noone wants to hire an ex felon.
Related Information:
Tagged with: back ground • ex felon • fear • fresh start • ground check • job • truth • young adults
Filed under: Ways To Get An Ex Back
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
pmCharles, please read my comments carefully. There IS a way to remove this issue from your life FOREVER. I am living proof of it.
Step 1: Open your local phonebook (Yellow Pages) and review all of the employment staffing companies in the area. Pretend to be an employer and call them. During the conversation, ask them – "How do you screen your candidates?"
Some of the staffing companies will say – "We check into a person’s criminal background all the way to his/her birth."
Some will say – "We check into a person’s history for 10 years."
Some say – "We check the local county of his/her current driver’s license."
Some say – "We don’t check the background. We merely drug test."
Step 2: Once you have a listing of all of the employment companies that meet YOUR criteria, meet with each one of them and you will become an employee of a company very quickly. Staffing companies are EXTREMELY hungry for good workers.
Step 3: Once hired by a company (and in their opinion, you have already been fully screened for security purposes), work like a freaking dog. Come in early. Stay late. Work hard. Work through lunch. Never, ever complain. Let me say that again….never complain. Say ‘please’ and ‘thank you.’ Become the kind of employee that people rarely meet. This is also a chance for you to regain self-respect and a feeling of worth.
Soon, you will continually promoted through the ranks.
That is how you do it. In the staffing company’s mind, you are "clean." You ‘checked out.’ In the employer’s mind, the staffing company checked you out up and down. Now, the employer really values you. Even better, if you ever decide to leave the job, the employer will give you a GREAT recommendation and the same staffing company will also find you another position! It’s a Win-Win-Win.
pmCharles, you need to understand that your only sticking point is getting around the background check. You simply didn’t know what they checked for. If your former/recent employer merely checked into your remote past, nothing may have surfaced and you would still be employed today. Your only hurdle is passing the background check…right? So eliminate that obstacle. Find out WHAT the staffing companies are looking for and simply apply to the staffing firms that you know you will ‘clear.’
Fifteen years ago, I made a mistake as a young man (23 years old). I screwed up. I paid the price. I became a felon. But, pmcharles, I have NEVER let it affect my life.
Now, I have a GREAT job. Make GREAT money. I am a productive member of the community. I own my home. I had my voting rights restored. I am allowed to own a firearm in the State of Texas. I am a HAPPY man. Best of all…NO BODY knows of my conviction. It is as if it never happend.
Best of luck….and TAKE MY ADVICE!!!!! Most importantly, don’t complain about your situation. You and I are in this mess due to a stupid mistake. Step over that issue and move on. Soon, no one…not even YOU…will reflect on your past.
You should see about getting your record expunged. They usually allow this after so many years (5 or so) from the time you were convicted.
Start your own business.
The price you pay for your mistake. You have to be upfront with an employer about your past. In my experience, it depends upon the nature of the crime.
Good luck!
hmmm….don’t know what to tell you…..
you let them know you have changed and when you lied. that tells it all.
sorry about your day, good luck to you in the future
Unfortunately people don’t think about the future as they are out commiting crimes. What you do when your young and stupid follows you when your older and wiser.l
http://www.hirenetwork.org/state_tax_credits.htm
http://www.prisonactivist.org/?q=node/view/204
http://www.postnewsads.com/linda/new/viewarticles.asp?articleID=134
Maybe these might help…
its only because you lied and broke your part of the contract. maybe if you’d told the truth they might’ve looked past your mistakes?
Take this as a lesson learned and don’t lie again. You might be surprised at who will hire you given your past. It helps that you worked some place for a while, but hurts that you were fired for lying. You can’t be automatically excluded from a job because of your conviction unless it relates to the job. The longer it is in the past, the better. Just be up front and state what you learned and how it has helped you be a better employee.
If you are honest up front, it will go a long way. By not telling them, you destroyed your credibility when they did find out.
An expensive lesson, but only if you do not learn from it.
That sucks. They’re just trying to protect themselves. If anything happened later on that involved you…even if it was an accident…someone higher up would be in big trouble…so they save themselves by canning you. That’s life, but it sucks.
Parents need to teach kids that they are responsible for every decision they make in life & that there are consequences for them. Even if it’s stealing a little..not using protection…voting for a democrat…egging your enemies house…there are consequences for everything.
Maybe the problem wasn’t BEING a felon, it was omitting the truth from your application. It’s a tough road, because a felony is hard to hide from. There are a lot of places that WON’T hire a felon. I feel that each person should be hired on merit and ability. What’s past, is past. Everyone (non-violent)deserves a second chance.
I agree but there is nothing that can be done in a democracy where the general public doesn’t care what happens to you.
I don’t think it’s that no one wants to hire an ex felon. I think that no one wants to keep an employee that LIED about being one. If you lied about that, they are certainly wondering what else you could’ve lied to them about.
I am sure it is going to be a lot tougher in your situation, but there are companies that will give you a shot knowing the truth about your past…and wouldn’t you rather work for them than the later anyways?
File for unemployment for now until you get another job…it may or may not be approved, but always worth a shot. And keep your options open looking for something new where your experience will be useful. Good luck on your hunt!
I have worked in Human Resources and have hired felons. I have also fired them for lying on the app in the first place. Most apps clearly say you will be terminated if anything is false. I would suggest going out and applying in the field that you like but this time be honest up front you might be suprised at who is willing to give you another chance.
They didn’t do a background check BEFORE you were hired?
Hmmm…I smell a loophole, brotha!
Seriously. I know, I know, the whole "but he lied" thing…but again, no background check BEFORE? just now, after a year.
And if anything —can you possibly speak to your manager–can he/she write you a nice letter of recommendation? And that way, you can be upfront in your next interview BUT you have this letter to back up the "I’ve changed" bit. And THAT should go a lonnnng way with the next employer that might be willing to give you a chance.
i don’t know where to look for a new job. i know there
are some out there. next time tell the truth because you
are not on record as not only an ex felon, but also as a
liar.
sholdve been honest inthe first place this is called wreckeg from your past deal with it
That is a tough situation. The good thing that you can take from this is that you at least have one year of valid working experience. So on your next job interview, you can at least show them that even though you’re an ex-felon, you have proven that you can hold down a good job and that you performed well enough to get promoted. You will have to be up front, but at least that way, when you get in, you won’t have to worry about any past situations.
I believe in giving second chances to people. But also with me, it really depends on the crime. If the crime was something petty, I can be forgiving. Because there are lots of people who have been in jail for crimes that they didn’t commit and they go through the same tough scenario. However, everyone doesn’t feel the same way that I do. People like to walk around being judge and jury 24 hours a day, 8 damn days a week! I know there is only 7 days in a week. But there are some heartless bas\ards out here that would just like to add an extra day on people lives. Would you be able to collect unemployment? Or would they deny you because of you not being honest from the beginning?
Well I don’t think you should give up! I think you should look for other employment, be as honest as possible. What they don’t ask, don’t volunteer. Also don’t discuss your business with anyone on the next job that you get. I’ll put a prayer in for you! Hey it can’t hurt!
Charles,
Do not ever lie on an application.
Does your states Department of Corrections have a re-entry program?
Many majors employers (like Coors and Hyatt) love to hire ex-felons (I’m not joking). The employer gets a tax credit and other benefits, like free bonding from the federal bonding program.
Start doing google searches for ex-felon employment opportunities. You will be able to get a good job.
Good Luck to you.
I am SO sorry to hear about this. It’s really a catch 22, you’ve made such amazing progress that they wanted to promote you, and now this. It’s the risk you take by lying on an application, but when faced with it, I think everyone lies, just like most people lie about their experience, their education, etc…Is there ANY way you could talk to them and say look, I lied because I’ve changed my life, I want to move ahead, I’ve paid my debt and I’ve made amazing progress here, and I want to continue doing well for myself, for this company, and for all the kids who I can counsel to make the right decisions, because I’ve been there, I am an asset to this company. Or something to that affect????? And most of all apologize your asss off for lying. I’m really rooting for you. It totally sucks because if you’d done the right thing and been honest, you probably wouldn’t have gotten hired. I agree with the other guy though, definitely look into having that shiit taken off your record, and I know a lot of people are going to disagree with me here, but I would never put that you’re an ex con on an application. Never. Even though this was a bad experience, (and you still may be able to fix it, -if you want/need help writing a letter to your employer contact me!!) I would continue lying till you can get it erased from your record.
i think what got you in trouble was not being honost on the application……you can hedge, you can exagerate but never lie, it will come back to bite you in the butt…i really dont think a person can ever run away from the past, but you can put it behind you…..there is something else out there, just dont lie on your application, explain what put you there as honostly as you can…and dont give up…
You’re right, no one wants to hire an ex-felon. Try a job in waste management or out of the public eye.
I’m truly sorry for what you’re going through. I do have a solution for you, but you have to have an open mind. I am very aware that there are many scams out there, but this is not one of them so please, if you ever want to have everything you’ve ever wanted, listen to what I have to say.
I am partnered with a one billion dollar company that just launched a new division positioning us in front of an 85 billion dollar trend. We’re looking for a few key leaders to build a team right in your area to take this division national and then global.
Are you coachable? Do you have what it takes to make enough money in the next 24-36 months to walk away and be done? Would a ground floor opportunity like that be of interest to you?
Interviews are being held this week. go to jrobregon1.mywayout.net for all the info on how you can be part of a once in a lifetime opportunity.
PS. no background check
I feel that once you have paid your debt to society and are contributing in a positive way, that should be the end of it. Sadly, employers don’t see it that way. This company was negligent in not doing their background check first if that is the reason they chose let you go.
But onward and upward. Would you consider a home business in the health and wellness industry? With this, you have to answer to no one. There is no background check, your past is entirely your business. I could show you how to do it and most importantly, how to build residual income. It’s a very low start up cost, under $200 US, and I would teach you exactly how to do it and show you how to start earning a very respectable income.
This way, you are starting out on a level playing field with all the advantages others have and this time, you will have outlived your past. It’s very simple to learn, and you would have as much training and mentoring as you like, we offer daily training calls as well as weekly web conferencing.
I would be happy to show you the way to health and wealth.
Start by NOT fibbing on your application or during your interview. There ARE companys, small and large, that if you are upfront with them, they will consider you for a post. It’s the fact that you hid some key information about your character that made them not trust you. They will conclude that you are hiding OTHER information, and they do not want the liability or responsibility.
Be patient. Go see an employment counselor or agency and be upfront and honest with them. They should be able to refer you to companies that are open to hiring felons on a per-person basis. Once they learn to trust you and see the depth of your maturity and new character, this new employer should show you some slack and begin to give you more and more responsibilities. Your prior job should be a good reference; just let the interviewer know that you made poor judgement and did not disclose all that you should have – but to please see how well you did on the job; you showed no bad habits and did a decent job and to please give you a second chance with them.
It will take a while to win people’s trust, but once you do, then your life will pick up in quality of work and quality of friendships. Don’t give up. Join a Christian Church and counsel with the pastor for what he recommends. You may be able to do odd & end work at the church, and other members will learn to trust and like you and new opportunities will come your way.
Let God do your worrying; put Him in the PILOT seat, and ask Him to guide you where you are to go. Pray for His guidance; He will take care of you and direct you to a job that will suite you fine. Just don’t go back on bad habits and hide things from people, or you’ll keep running yourself in circles and end up back in jail – not a good goal to work on. Keep your nose clean, your spirits up, and become truthful in your interactions with people from now on. Life will open back up to you!