It seems as though many people throughout life have experienced varied lives. Those lives seem to discourage Job Seekers and create a feeling of dread, guilt, embarrassment or worse, leads the person down the path of “Who’s going to hire ME?”
According to Indeed.com, “While finding a job with a criminal record can be challenging, you CAN successfully secure employment by targeting fair-chance employers, addressing your record strategically, and leveraging profession reentry networks. Many companies actively participate in second-chance hiring, and specific legal frameworks exist to protect YOUR right to a fair assessment.” (Indeed.com, Triad Goodwill, Partnership to End Addiction)
Here are some helpful tools:
🔍 1. Know Your Record and Your Rights
- Pull your official report: Obtain a copy of your background check to ensure all information is accurate and check for errors.
- Seek expungement: Contact local Legal Aid Organizations to see if your record can be sealed or expunged, removing it from public view.
- Learn “Ban the Box” laws: Many states restrict employers from asking about criminal history until making a conditional job offer.
- Understand EEOC guidelines: The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission requires employers to consider the nature of the crime, time passed, and job relevance. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6] (Indeed, Honest Jobs, YouTube-AdviceWithErin, YouTube-CBS 17)
🛠️ 2. Optimize Your Application Strategy
- Use a functional resume: Format your resume to emphasize skills and certifications rather than a strict chronological timeline.
- Account for gaps: List vocational training, educational degrees, or institutional work assignments completed during any gaps.
- Target friendly industries: Focus on fields like construction, manufacturing, logistics, tech startups, and hospitality, which frequently offer second chances.
- Apply to “Fair Chance” roles: Use specialized job boards like Honest Jobs or filter by “fair chance” on Indeed. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] (Partnership to End Addiction, Indeed, Monster Job Search, Novoresume, Honest Jobs)
🗣️ 3. Master the Interview and Disclosure
- Never lie: Always provide honest information if an application explicitly asks, as dishonesty guarantees disqualification later.
- Don’t over-disclose: Do not volunteer details about your record on your resume or during initial conversations unless asked.
- Use the 10/90 rule: When discussing your past, spend 10% explaining the situation and 90% highlighting what you learned and how you have changed.
- Own your narrative: Frame your past as a period of personal accountability, growth, and rehabilitation. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7] (Indeed.com, Partnership to End Addiction, YouTube, Novoresume, Georgia Justice Program, Honest Jobs)
🤝 4. Utilize Support Systems [1]
- Visit American Job Centers: Utilize federal resources through CareerOneStop to access job training and specialized reentry placement. [1, 2] (Partnership to End Addiction and Career One Stop)
- Secure character references: Gather formal recommendation letters from community leaders, professors, or past supervisors who can vouch for your integrity. [1, 2] (Indeed.com, The IPS Employment Center)
- Mention tax incentives: Let employers know they may qualify for the Work Opportunity Tax Credit or the Federal Bonding Program by hiring you. [1, 2] (U.S. Dept of Labor, YouTube-AdviceWithErin)
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NALS, during our vetting process, will obtain a background check, but you are more than just what that piece of information says about you. We also have private one-on-one interviews with you, once we have all the information from the vetting process and there will be companies that are willing to hire you. If you request it, we will provide you a copy of your background check information.
NALS does not have a partnership with any of the above organizations. The information given is readily available online and we are merely providing links to these articles, companies and organization for informational purposes only.