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Felony Convictions & Jail Time

Finding a job with a stellar background isn't a breeze, so it's no wonder that the process is all the more challenging when coupled with a felony conviction and jail time. For most people, securing employment is critical to staying out of prison and building a positive future.

We often receive emails like this: "I made a few mistakes and wound up in jail because of a felony conviction. I have a good education and several years of experience, but due to the felony I'm unable to find a job. I know I am not the only one who faces this when they are released from jail. My issue is without employment I can not make restitution which will keep me from returning to jail. I also have a child to think about as well. Please if you have any advice let me know."

The best advice starts first and foremost with attitude primed for success.

Anyone looking for work must exude confidence. Personality and passion can often compensate for lack of solid work history and lack of specific skills. An employer can teach you how to perform the necessary functions, but they can't teach you passion for the work. You must bring that to anything you do.

Think positively. Stay in the right frame of mind, you have to believe it in order to achieve it. Promise yourself to stay positive and believe that you have the ability to go beyond your current situation. You'll face rejections because that's a normal part of the job search process. You're not alone. Everyone experiences rejection. Some people sulk, while others can brush it off and carry on.

Banish negativity. Don’t let negativity hold you back from success. Surround yourself with positive people and don’t let your environment make you or bring you down. If you allow naysayers to fill your head with pessimism, you'll find it very difficult to succeed. Keep positive thoughts top of mind as you look to achieve your goals.

Self promotion . Sell yourself with enthusiasm and specific facts. Focus on all of the things you are good at and make sure you portray them to others. Create your own sales pitch. Practice, practice, practice. The more you do, the easier it will be to do it in front of prospective employers.

Reinvent yourself. Create a new outlook on your life and your career. Figure out what is you want to do and what you're passionate about. Research and know what it is that you want. The goal is to make potential employers see what it is that you want to be and not what you used to be. But since attitude alone isn't enough to overcome the barriers of a felony conviction, we've put together a list of organizations that focus specifically on working with individuals to secure employment upon release. We have no affiliation with these organizations; these are only provided as resources for you to pursue. Since everyone's circumstance is different, we suggest that you check with multiple outlets to determine which might be best suited to assist with your needs. We're rooting for your success.