I am having difficulty finding a job due to an unsavory background check. My felony conviction was a little over 20 years ago. I also had a DUI at that time. Since then I've had several domestic violence convictions, and I was also charged (but charges were dismissed) with another felony.
I am a 49 year old female and have had a lot of customer service experience.
I was reading some of these sites to get advice about getting a job, and several of the sites said that if you are a convicted felon, and you are qualified for a state or federal job, that they have to hire you. Is this true?

No, you are not a protected class. In this economy you will be passed up for someone with a squeaky clean record. College graduates are having to get jobs at McDonalds these days.

No, there is no truth to that what so ever. In fact, the domestic violence charges will stop you from getting many jobs that require certifications or licenses.

Some programs that use grant money to hire felons, may, but those are rare now adays.

The issue is, there is high unemployment, people with no criminal background are having trouble finding things

... several of the sites said that if you are a convicted felon, and you are qualified for a state or federal job, that they have to hire you. Is this true?

If it were true, it might almost be worth it to get a felony conviction. :)

In theory, government jobs go to the most qualified, not simply the first qualified person who applies. But in reality, it's a matter of who you know.

Hello felon jobseeker:

I am a 49 year old female and have had a lot of customer service experienceFortunately for me, most of my work life was BEFORE the internet. These days, a prospective employer will find out EVERYTHING about you... Consequently, in my humble opinion, you're UNEMPLOYABLE.

But, that doesn't mean you can't earn a living.. Customer service is usually conducted by PHONE. Therefore, if it was me (and it WAS), I'd start a customer service company. That way, you ask people to give you their business INSTEAD of hiring you. It's MUCH easier to do that.

MOST companies won't run a background check on their vendors... No, it's not easy. But, it's not hard either. The company is YOU. You'll be the one handling the phone. No, you won't be able to get BIG clients in the beginning. But, you MIGHT be able to get a local store, maybe a restaurant or two.. Those companies would LOVE to be able to hand their angry customers OFF to somebody.. You'll be offering a GOOD service...

Look. It's a shame the law FORCES felons to go into business for themselves... Or IS it?

Excon