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If one has a record , is there any hope for employment and if so , what are the measures to be taken ?
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James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
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James Constantine’s Answer
Dear Vincent,
How Can People with a Criminal Record Secure Employment?
While a criminal record can pose certain hurdles in the job hunt, it's not an insurmountable barrier. Many employers are willing to hire individuals with a criminal history, and there are specific steps these individuals can take to boost their chances of landing a job.
Practical Steps to Boost Job Prospects for People with Criminal Records:
Understand Your Rights: It's vital for people with criminal records to be aware of their employment rights. Legislation like the Ban the Box law is designed to protect these individuals from discrimination during the hiring process.
Record Expungement or Sealing: Depending on the jurisdiction, some people may qualify to have their criminal records expunged or sealed. This legal step can make the record invisible to potential employers, thus enhancing the likelihood of getting a job.
Effective Job Search Tactics: Job seekers with criminal records should target industries and firms known for hiring individuals with such backgrounds. Exploiting job search websites tailored for this group, networking, and leveraging reentry programs can be very helpful.
Honesty and Transparency: It's essential for people with criminal records to be truthful about their past during job applications and interviews. Being open about past mistakes, expressing regret, and emphasizing personal growth and rehabilitation can foster trust with potential employers.
Skill Enhancement and Education: Engaging in vocational training programs, acquiring certifications, or pursuing further education can boost employability and show a dedication to self-improvement.
Utilize Support Services: Several organizations and agencies offer support services designed for individuals with criminal records, including resume help, interview coaching, and job placement programs.
Persistence and Resilience: Job hunting with a criminal record may require patience and determination. It's crucial to stay positive and persistent, despite any rejections or setbacks.
By adopting these strategies and tackling the job search process with a strategic mindset, individuals with criminal records can boost their chances of securing rewarding employment opportunities, regardless of their past criminal justice involvement.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) - The NIJ, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides unbiased, independent research and evaluation on crime and justice-related issues.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - The EEOC enforces federal laws that prevent employment discrimination, including discrimination based on criminal history.
Prison Policy Initiative - This non-profit organization is dedicated to addressing mass incarceration problems in the United States through research and advocacy.
STAY BLESSED!
How Can People with a Criminal Record Secure Employment?
While a criminal record can pose certain hurdles in the job hunt, it's not an insurmountable barrier. Many employers are willing to hire individuals with a criminal history, and there are specific steps these individuals can take to boost their chances of landing a job.
Practical Steps to Boost Job Prospects for People with Criminal Records:
Understand Your Rights: It's vital for people with criminal records to be aware of their employment rights. Legislation like the Ban the Box law is designed to protect these individuals from discrimination during the hiring process.
Record Expungement or Sealing: Depending on the jurisdiction, some people may qualify to have their criminal records expunged or sealed. This legal step can make the record invisible to potential employers, thus enhancing the likelihood of getting a job.
Effective Job Search Tactics: Job seekers with criminal records should target industries and firms known for hiring individuals with such backgrounds. Exploiting job search websites tailored for this group, networking, and leveraging reentry programs can be very helpful.
Honesty and Transparency: It's essential for people with criminal records to be truthful about their past during job applications and interviews. Being open about past mistakes, expressing regret, and emphasizing personal growth and rehabilitation can foster trust with potential employers.
Skill Enhancement and Education: Engaging in vocational training programs, acquiring certifications, or pursuing further education can boost employability and show a dedication to self-improvement.
Utilize Support Services: Several organizations and agencies offer support services designed for individuals with criminal records, including resume help, interview coaching, and job placement programs.
Persistence and Resilience: Job hunting with a criminal record may require patience and determination. It's crucial to stay positive and persistent, despite any rejections or setbacks.
By adopting these strategies and tackling the job search process with a strategic mindset, individuals with criminal records can boost their chances of securing rewarding employment opportunities, regardless of their past criminal justice involvement.
Top 3 Credible Sources Used:
National Institute of Justice (NIJ) - The NIJ, part of the U.S. Department of Justice, provides unbiased, independent research and evaluation on crime and justice-related issues.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) - The EEOC enforces federal laws that prevent employment discrimination, including discrimination based on criminal history.
Prison Policy Initiative - This non-profit organization is dedicated to addressing mass incarceration problems in the United States through research and advocacy.
STAY BLESSED!
Updated
Yazmin’s Answer
Most definitely you do. Thank you for the transparency I know that can't be easy to share but that just shows your character. It shows that you are brave and truly want to reach your full potential which I have no doubt you will do! To ease your doubts a little, one of my best friends actually went through something similar in college. She got in trouble with the law, went to jail for a few days which went on her record (she later lawyered up and had it removed) all while she was trying to finish school. She also thought that was the end for her. After MUCH MUCH MUCH hard work in school and her jobs, she was able to graduate top of her class and believe it or not is now here in Culver City as an executive assistant working one on one with Ryan Seacrest! So to answer your question, you do exactly what you've been doing and keep pushing and looking forward. Stay on top of your grades, enroll yourself in any of your schools extra circular activities (this is KEY for when you apply to college) and try to figure out what you enjoy doing and how you can turn that into a career so that you can set up your trajectory on where to go from there. Just stay focused on that end goal of the person you want to be at the end of it all. Never forget: WE ARE NOT OUR MISTAKES! That is the past and your future is what lies ahead!
Updated
John’s Answer
Hi Vincent!
Yes it can be tough but things are changing. Here in Washington State we have a State Legislator with a record, Tara Simmons. In 2011 Simmons was sentenced to 30 months in prison for theft, drug, and firearm crimes. In 2017, she graduated from Seattle University School of Law with honors. After law school, she was not allowed to sit for the Washington State bar exam due to her status as a former convicted felon, thus she challenged the Washington State Bar Association rules in the Washington State Supreme Court and won; the court unanimously ruled in her favor on the same day. She was later sworn in as an attorney in the State of Washington on June 16, 2018. Simmons is the founding director for a nonprofit focused on assisting those that are formerly incarcerated.
Some job search sites (like Indeed) offer "Felony Friendly" jobs - take a look at those.
The best thing is to stay on the straight and narrow and build a new record of solid performance that will get you where you want to be over time.
Best wishes, and may God bless!
Yes it can be tough but things are changing. Here in Washington State we have a State Legislator with a record, Tara Simmons. In 2011 Simmons was sentenced to 30 months in prison for theft, drug, and firearm crimes. In 2017, she graduated from Seattle University School of Law with honors. After law school, she was not allowed to sit for the Washington State bar exam due to her status as a former convicted felon, thus she challenged the Washington State Bar Association rules in the Washington State Supreme Court and won; the court unanimously ruled in her favor on the same day. She was later sworn in as an attorney in the State of Washington on June 16, 2018. Simmons is the founding director for a nonprofit focused on assisting those that are formerly incarcerated.
Some job search sites (like Indeed) offer "Felony Friendly" jobs - take a look at those.
The best thing is to stay on the straight and narrow and build a new record of solid performance that will get you where you want to be over time.
Best wishes, and may God bless!
Updated
Jessica’s Answer
There is hope for you . Try local jobs and family services, as well as job boards that can be posted also Google search felony friendly hiring. There are a lot of places that will hire felons. Also just call up the local business/ job that you want and speak to them about that personally . Good luck !!
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Vincent !
I take it that you mean a criminal or arrest record, is that correct ? If so, California does not have complete Expungement but there is something you can do that may help you, even though it may not matter if you're going into music and/or video production because you can do those on your own as an independent, but you can think about it in regards to housing opportunities.
Now, this is very important and I'm not an attorney but have worked directly on a case about this once, and I will refer you to legal assistance for this. Now, the way it works in California is that the record is Sealed and I would only be presuming it would be for opportunities for housing and employment at private venues. Where it perhaps is NOT sealed would be for any local, city, state and federal places. They would be able to have access to your record and that may mean public schools, too. I hate to say it, but a person needs to try not to get arrested again because than they will have a fresh record. So you can see why this really needs to be conferred with by an attorney. Call the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Their website is at https://lafla.org/ Tell them your situation and they may be able to answer your questions at first and see if you qualify for an attorney from their office.
The case I had as a social service case manager was also pertaining to a singer/musician/songwriter. The state the client lives in completely expunges records and this person had some very serious things on the record. This person had good opportunities for housing and working independently, but the person got arrested again for a more serious charge. So it can go different ways and each case and person's experience goes differently. This person has gone forward doing a lot of work, teaching privately as well as a nice schedule of performances at various venues.
Read some information about Expungement at the link below for the Record Clear website. Further information and explanations can be obtained at an attorney's website at the link below. He serves the Los Angeles area.
As far as the entertainment industry, the music industry, is concerned, it just may be one field of work that would be a matter of people getting to know you and if you feel comfortable sharing that information with them. It's going to depend also what the charge was. Do ask more specific questions here if you feel comfortable doing so. The more support you get for this, especially while planning a career, the better it will be for you. So many people that are in the main stream and independent entertainment business have had downfalls so, it's just a matter of being your best self and always being honest. Do not give up. It's a learning experience and you can do this !
Best wishes to you !
RECORD CLEAR https://www.record-clear.com/California-Expungement-FAQ
ABOUT EXPUNGEMENT https://www.greghillassociates.com/what-will-a-background-search-show-after-my-expungement.html
I take it that you mean a criminal or arrest record, is that correct ? If so, California does not have complete Expungement but there is something you can do that may help you, even though it may not matter if you're going into music and/or video production because you can do those on your own as an independent, but you can think about it in regards to housing opportunities.
Now, this is very important and I'm not an attorney but have worked directly on a case about this once, and I will refer you to legal assistance for this. Now, the way it works in California is that the record is Sealed and I would only be presuming it would be for opportunities for housing and employment at private venues. Where it perhaps is NOT sealed would be for any local, city, state and federal places. They would be able to have access to your record and that may mean public schools, too. I hate to say it, but a person needs to try not to get arrested again because than they will have a fresh record. So you can see why this really needs to be conferred with by an attorney. Call the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. Their website is at https://lafla.org/ Tell them your situation and they may be able to answer your questions at first and see if you qualify for an attorney from their office.
The case I had as a social service case manager was also pertaining to a singer/musician/songwriter. The state the client lives in completely expunges records and this person had some very serious things on the record. This person had good opportunities for housing and working independently, but the person got arrested again for a more serious charge. So it can go different ways and each case and person's experience goes differently. This person has gone forward doing a lot of work, teaching privately as well as a nice schedule of performances at various venues.
Read some information about Expungement at the link below for the Record Clear website. Further information and explanations can be obtained at an attorney's website at the link below. He serves the Los Angeles area.
As far as the entertainment industry, the music industry, is concerned, it just may be one field of work that would be a matter of people getting to know you and if you feel comfortable sharing that information with them. It's going to depend also what the charge was. Do ask more specific questions here if you feel comfortable doing so. The more support you get for this, especially while planning a career, the better it will be for you. So many people that are in the main stream and independent entertainment business have had downfalls so, it's just a matter of being your best self and always being honest. Do not give up. It's a learning experience and you can do this !
Best wishes to you !
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