Can the Federal Bonding Program help felons get jobs?

Q: Good Afternoon,

I’m writing on behalf of my long-time boyfriend. He has a long
criminal history going back to the age of 14. When we met in college
when he was 20 and he already had a felony conviction under his belt.
By 22 he’d already gotten his second conviction (both were drug
related), along with a bunch of misdemeanors. Long story short, he’s
now 30 and a college graduate with a Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal
Justice (also very ironic) from a very good four-year university.  He
has gotten work in the past at some used car lots. And actually been
hired at large dealerships because he’s well-spoken, well-dressed and
highly a motivated salesman but he has trouble getting bonded because
of his convictions. What advice could you give a two-time felon with a
college degree, who has actually turned his life around?

Thanks You & God Bless

Kelly

A: Hello Kelly,

There are government programs that can assist ex-offenders and felons in getting jobs.  One of the most useful is The Federal Bonding Program.  Employers may have concerns that keep them from hiring people with have criminal records, poor work history or recovering alcohol or drug addicts. A great deal employers are reluctant to hire ex-offenders or felons since they feel their criminal histories make them more likely to steal, commit fraud or be dishonest in other ways. Many felons cannot be bonded. A bond is an insurance policy that protects an employer against money or property loss due to employee dishonesty. Certain criminal convictions make many felons ineligible for bonding by private companies. Felons, including anyone with a record of arrest, conviction or imprisonment, and anyone who has ever been on probation or parole, are considered “high risk” job applicants.

The Federal Bonding Program is  program sponsored by the government through the Department of Labor. This program was created to help high-risk, but otherwise qualified, job seekers who have offers of employment.  The Federal Bonding Program offers an insurance policy that protects employers against any possible losses incurred due to actions by high-risk employees. The program is designed to help ex-offenders and felons who are qualified to work but need a second chance. I

These bonds are free of charge to both the applicant and the employer and can be issued for any job at any employer in any state. Any full or part-time employee paid wages (with Federal taxes automatically withheld) can be bonded, including persons hired by temporary employment agencies. Unfortunately, self-employed persons cannot be covered by these Fidelity Bonds.

An applicant can be bonded the same day the job offer is made. You can find more information about the program by contacting the addresses below:

Q: I am a female with a criminal background. I don’t have any felonies but I have several misdemeanors. I have applied for several jobs and all of them I have been qualified for, some of them I have been over qualified and soon as the see my background sometimes they just don’t say anything, don’t call and don’t even ask questions. I explain my background when asked on the application but, I guess I should just let that be the first discussion I bring up.

I Graduated from mortuary college and I have still run into problems trying to find a job as a funeral director and embalmer. I have a prostitution charge that over 9 years old and when I bring this up to certain employers I’m either frowned upon or sexually harassed. I have decided to go back to college in June and major in forensic chemistry. My question is, I just want to know will it be possible for me to work as a medical examiner with my criminal background, and or there any other jobs in this field that will hire me?   I want to know before I spend all this time on this degree. I’m still searching for a job now, I’m even applying at fast food chains and most of those or taken. I really want to work in my field, like in the morgue or something of that nature.

I have considered having a professional do my resume and see if that works but, apparently my resume is OK as is because it impresses many employers until they check my background. Please help me.

Thank You

A: Generally speaking, misdemeanors are seen as less serious than felonies and a lot easier to work with.  If you want to be a funeral director or embalmer, most likely, you will have to be licensed in your state to do so.  You would have to contact the licensing  board in your state to see if your convictions would prohibit you from being licensed.  As far as your question regarding jobs that you may be hired for, you should apply for all jobs that you feel you are qualified for.

When meeting people face-to-face about jobs, it’s important to be honest, but never offer information or go too deeply into your case.  Answer any question with as brief an answer as you can while responding honestly.

Will  juvenile records keep me out of a job?

Q: My name is Marvin,

I was convicted almost 11 yrs ago of 2 felonies one a probation violation, the cause and second felony a burglary. I served almost 7 yrs in state facilities. I held the same job since my release and worked diligently to earn a respectful life again. I was laid off due to cut backs almost 3 months ago and have not been able to find a single place willing to give me a try. I’m not looking for financial assistance of any sort. Simply a job where I can make my own income and perhaps progress. I am on the verge of losing everything I have worked so hard to achieve in the past 3 yrs including a good credit score which was a difficult task on its own, also my apartment  and the new car I recently purchased. All because of something that occurred in my teens. I am now 28 and not the same person anymore however not a single employer seems to look past that.  Any help or guidance would be very appreciated.

A: Hello Marvin,

I get this often from ex-offenders and felons with juvenile records who are looking for jobs.  Generally I would say that in many states  juvenile records are automatically sealed by the court and are only visible to the court system, government agencies and law enforcement agencies.  I suggest you seek legal advice to see if this applies to you in your state.  You can get free legal advice at your local legal aid office.  If this is indeed your case, you may deny any criminal convictions that occurred when you were a minor.

Frequent readers of this blog are familiar with my next suggestion. I encourage all ex-offenders and felons looking for  jobs to visit their local One-stop Career Center.  One-stop Career Centers are very underutilized resources that ex-offenders and felons can use not only to get jobs, but to get career counseling and training. In addition, these centers provide a long list of valuable services. Some services available are:

Career planning and counseling

Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)

Computers with internet access and word processing

Daily access to thousands of job listings

Job-related magazines and local newspapers

Job postings and referrals

Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use

Each center has trained counselors that provide one-on-one assistance. Many of them have experience assisting ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.

As stated in a previous post, you can find your nearest center here:

www.servicelocator.org

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Juvenile Records

There is hope for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Q: Hiya,

My name is Tammy, my fiance  is an ex-offender, he served 12 month in prison, but that was 12/13 years ago.

He has tried to get in care homes.   The first one he tried he nearly got, but since he never told them about his criminal record and when they got his CRB he was refused the job, which I understand as he never told them.

But then when he tried in another care home, he told them straight away about his criminal record, but still hasn’t had any success.  He’s tried all sorts of jobs, but hasn’t had any luck in anything, from fast food, cleaning, kitchen porter as he has about 4 year gap where he hasn’t worked so think there are two reasons why he can’t get work.

Darren and I are expecting our first child at end of August and I be on maternity leave soon from my full time employment, so I hope he could get a job soon, not just for the money, but also so he can up his self esteem too,

He has had experience in kitchen porter and cleaning also laundry, but he would do anything just to have work

We need help

A: Hello Tammy,

Your fiance’s difficulty finding work may be in part to his criminal record but partly to a sluggish economy, but I can make some suggestions that may make jobs a bit easier to come by.  I encourage all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to go to their local One-stop Career Center.  There he will find a long list of services that can help him find work.  He will also find a list of open positions in your area.  There are also counselors who can provide one-on-one assistance.  Often these counselors have experience helping ex-offenders and felons and know of employers who may hire them.  He may even find opportunities for vocational training that could lead to a new career.  Services available include job referrals, career counseling, access to computers/internet, resume preparation, phone/fax machines, and copy machines, for job search use.

You can find you nearest One-stop Career Center here:

www.servicelocator.org

Another solution is to apply for temporary employment.  Many employers are in need of temporary help. A great deal of temporary employees are hired permanently. Smaller independent agencies are a better choice than larger, nationally known ones. Independent agencies are free to hire anyone they choose and are more likely to hire ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.  You may find some in your local telephone directory.  Apply to them as you would any other employer.

I hope this helps

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Advice to help a felon get a job

Q: Hello,

My name is Sally,

I am a 28 year old female from Farmington, New Mexico. Since I was 18 I had a meth problem, various times in jail and rehab, I last used July 2006 and since that last time received a high school diploma in 2008 and a forklift certification in 2009.  Unfortunately I have never been able to use it. I have had a hard time finding regular steady work every since I quit using.  I have worked under the table or odd jobs to make ends meet. I have tried to get help from the employment office and all they could offer me is a book for ex-felons and tests to improve skills. I choose not to go to school because I am uncertain in fields I would be allowed in and not sure I have the education to start college without a lot of extra help. I am at my wits end and very depressed about it. Staffing  agencies won’t help and running out of options. I read some that you could help someone like me and all I want is a career and to be proud of what I went through to become a nice person working hard to contribute to society. Please if you could help me or talk me through what steps I should take to help improve my life to help improve others I would be grateful and take any advice. Thank you for taking the time to read my letter.

A: Hello Sally,

I’m sorry you’re having so much difficulty. Steady readers of this blog are familiar with the following suggestion. I encourage all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs to visit their local One-stop Career Center. One-stop Career Centers are very underutilized resources that ex-offenders and felons can use not only to find jobs, but to get career guidance and training. In addition, these centers provide a long list of valuable services.  Services available include referrals to employment, career counseling, assistance with job search and placement, access to computers/internet, resume preparation, phone/fax machines, copy machines, interest, aptitude and basic skills testing and other special programs tailored to meet employment needs of those with barriers to employment.

Each center has trained counselors that provide one-on-one assistance. Many of them have experience helping ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs.

The nearest One-stop Career Center to you is:

New Mexico Workforce Connection

600 West Arrington
Farmington, NM 87401
phn: 505-327-6126

The rest of my readers can find their nearest One-stop Career Center here:

One-Stop Career Centers

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Incredible List of Companies That Hire Ex-offenders and Felons

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Felon with old conviction needs a job

There is help for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Q: Hi,

My name is Glen and I would like to say that you are doing a good job lifting our hopes up showing us that it is a life for us when we get out of jail.  I just wanted to say I applied at Wal-mart and once I told them I had a record they didn’t hire me.  I recently worked for Burlington coat factory for 4 months and they let me go because my record came up, but my question to you is, I would like to start a cleaning service.   Meaning I want to be able to clean out foreclosed houses but I don’t know what to do.  Can you help me?  Please?  If I’m able to run that type of business I can help the people around my way with jobs too but i don’t know where to start.  I don’t have money or car to start.  I need help or guidance.  you’re a very smart man  Can u help me please?   I’m on welfare and I want to be off of it.   I want to work, and cleaning house is the way I want to go without dealing with anybody going to check out my record.

A: Hello Glen,

Firstly, just reading about your prior short employment, I suggest to all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to always be honest when asked about your past either on application or on interviews.  What good is having a job only to lose it when a background check is done. You were probably let go for being less than honest rather than because you have a criminal record.

As far starting a business, many ex-offenders and felons turn to starting businesses rather that trying to find jobs.  My first suggestion is to find someone that is doing something similar and ask them how they got started.  You may be able to get some practical information that way.  It seems that you also have very limited resources so you may want to partner with someone who has a truck van or car that can be used.  Perhaps you can find someone in a similar situation that would be willing to go in with you.

Once you are up and running, you can contact real estate agents in your area to get them as clients.

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs way want to consider starting businesses.

In the meantime, check out this link:

How to Start A House Cleaning Business In 7 Simple Steps

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs way want to consider starting businesses.

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Incredible List of Companies That Hire Ex-offenders and Felons

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

There is help for ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Q: Hi,

I came across your email address while reading on a blog about how felons can get jobs. I was wondering if you could offer any advice to me since you have some experience helping individuals with felons get employed. I am a senior graduating from a prestigious university in pharmaceutical sciences. My GPA is above 3.0, I have many references in industry, lab, and even state representatives and senators. I have work experience in industrial, retail and synthetic pharmacy but no one is willing to give me a chance. Various different companies have flown me to their respective locations to have a second or third interview along with a tour of the plant. However, they will not offer me jobs because of my background. One company actually gave me an offer and soon after retracted it.

I got a class D felony for theft in 2005 while I was in high school. The situation that led to it was very silly but I ended up with a felony nonetheless. If you have any idea how I can move forward please let me know. I have been trying to get advice from many different people but have not been successful finding a job. I will be graduating soon and my student loans will be due so the pressure is building up. Please let me know if you can help. I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks,

Sal

A: Hello Sal,

Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs have worked hard to overcome some legal issues that happened some time ago.  With all of their hard work, some still find their convictions holding them back from getting jobs.  The one thing I suggest to all ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs is to be honest.  If you find that an application is asking about criminal convictions, give the information that the application asks for.  Some have been taught to respond to the “Have you been convicted…..” question with the response “will explain at interview.”  In most cases the interview will never come because the application is complete – you did not answer the question.  In your case, you have only one conviction.  You must include the following information:

Name of the conviction, date, location, and the disposition (time served, fine and/or probation.)  It might look like this:

Theft 8/12/05      Houston,  Probation Served (18 mos.)

Many ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs choose not to include their convictions on their applications because they feel it may keep them from getting an interview.   I have spoken with ex-offenders and felons who have lied on applications and gotten jobs, only to lose them later when background checks were done.  There were not let let go for having convictions, rather they were let go for not disclosing information.

In your case, perhaps you should apply for jobs using your resume and well written cover letters.  Often, applying for jobs this way, you conviction may never  come up.  If it does, I always suggest that you be completely honest.

Answer the question without going into detail.  Mention the amount of time that has gone by and what you have learned from your experience.  Also talk about the progress you have made.  Shift the conversation to the opportunities you have had to improve yourself.  You may even answer this way:

I’m glad you asked because I want you to feel comfortable about hiring me.  I’ve done some things that I’m not proud of.  I had to learn the hard way that there are no shortcuts in life.  If I’m going to be successful it’s going to take a lot of hard work.  I started working on that when I was away.  I have been working very hard to turn things around.  I’m just looking for a chance.

I hope this helps.

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Incredible List of Companies That Hire Ex-offenders and Felons

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs

Sex offender needs job search advice

Q: Hello,

My name is Carlton. I am 23 years old and have never had a real job. I got a felony at the age of 14 for a crime that was committed at the age of 12. My adoptive family allowed abusive things to happen to my siblings and I, and even committed some abusive acts. When I decided to contact authorities about their abuse, my adoptive mother countered it by claiming that I was terrorizing the household with sexual acts that I didn’t even know how to perform at that age. I have to register as a sex offender until November 2013, at which point I will apparently be scott free! However, the charge scares me and I have been very shy about finding a job until now. My life is now forcing me to seek out a job. I have documentation stating when I got the charge, my “no risk” status and the date in which Texas will remove me from the database. I desperately need a job…anything that someone of a small stature might be able to do. How do I go about finding a job even tho I know they will do a background check? And how can I give the details to the potential employers? Thank you so much for listening and responding.

A: Hello Carlton,

A sex offender will have a hard time getting jobs. I suggest reaching out to your parole or probation officer. Often they have knowledge of employers who would hire a sex offender.

I suggest also contacting your local United Way. The United Way supports social agencies that provide services to ex-offenders and felons. Goodwill Industries has a proven record of employing ex-offenders and felons as well as offering other services . You will find more information here:

http://www.goodwill.org/

A different solution is to apply for temporary work.  Many employers are in need of temporary help. Often temporary employees are hired permanently. Smaller independent agencies are a better choice than larger, nationally known ones. Independent agencies are free to hire anyone they choose and are more likely to hire felons and ex-offenders.

Jobs for felons and sex-offenders may be difficult to find but a little hard work will pay off.

I hope this helps

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

Incredible List of Companies That Hire Ex-offenders and Felons

sex offender

If you have a criminal record, it can be very hard to find a job, especially if you’ve committed a felony. But, the University of Akron School of Law Criminal Expungement Program aims to give convicted felons a second chance.

This new program can give felons and ex-offenders a second chance and hope to find jobs.  Often ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs find few opportunities and find themselves reverting to criminal activities just to survive.  The program will offer expungement services that can help first time felons and ex-offenders the opportunity to have their records sealed or expunged making it easier to obtain employment.

Expungement help for ex-offenders and felons

Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.

felons