I got arrested 9 years ago in Nov. for possession of 2 kilos and a gun. I had lost my job do to a manager who disliked me. She found a way to get me fired which later after review came to be false. After losing my job I wasn’t aware that unemployment was even a resource till I was able to find a new job. I was young and stupid looking for away to make money, had a childhood friend who led me into drug dealing. It started small and snow balled within a month and was dealing kilos.

Before my arrest I was a well respected Banker who led the market area in sales and service through out my career. I held positions ranging from new accounts to Manager. I had received multiple performance awards and letters of recognition for outstanding customer service from the corp. and customers. I started in the finance industry at 19 years old and was 25 when I was arrested. I am great at my job and it’s hard to find a job having a financial background applying for a non financial job. I have been trying to get a job back in the Credit Unions and Commercial Banks since my arrest (it’s been 9 years). I have had to work in a Payday Loan (legal loan sharking) because I don’t know anything else but finance industry. I don’t come close to being paid what I am worth and they take advantage of the fact I have a successful banking background, making me work 1 year and 1/2 by myself 6 days a week knowing I have no problem handling it from previous career background.

I go on interviews and interviews go great, everyone is excited then towards the end the bottom drops out. I have not done a live scan yet and I can’t figure out why this is happening. I am aware of the Federal Bonding Program so they don’t know my background yet and don’t lie on my applications. I do exactly as directed per the Federal Bonding Program's agent (answering yes to felony and in the description "Free Bonding per the Federal Bonding Program provided through the EDD") in filling the applications out. I am providing Business Plans, Letters of recommendations, awards and even ranking reports and P&L's from previous employment.

Does the Federal Bonding Program even matter to employers?

Is there anything in the law that can help me get around this problem being a felon?

Do employers run a surety bond check prior to a background check?

Are former employers aloud to disclose why you were fired or if you were fired or quit?

Is there anything I can do?

:confused:

My understanding of the FBP is that it covers an employee for the first 6 months of his/her employment. After that, with a good work record, the employee "may" be able to obtain bonding through an insurance company. "May" probably is the magic word. The FBP also does not provide the same level of coverage as commercial bonding.

In this economy, with so many applicants for every job, it may very well be that an applicant with no criminal record, a very low risk, is preferable to someone with a record, no matter how long that person has been clean.

Yes, employers in banking run a check to see if a person can be bonded prior to hiring.

Yes, former employers are allowed to disclose the reason for your termination. Many do not; many do. Nothing prohibits an employer from telling the truth.

Perhaps changing fields, education in another field, makes sense in your life at this point.

I am concerned by your reasoning for dealing - you lost your job, didn't know you could collect Unemployment and started dealing to support yourself? I would definitely leave that part out at a job interview.

Some Cities have programs which aid offenders in obtaining employment. I, of course, don't know where you are OR if there is such a program in your area.

I am concerned by your reasoning for dealing - you lost your job, didn't know you could collect Unemployment and started dealing to support yourself? I would definitely leave that part out at a job interview.

I don't include that when I am applying for employment and I don't disccuss anything regarding my past unless brought up by the employer. I keep it vauge. I was young and stupid.

First 25 is not young, 17 or 18 is young.

Next I am sorry, I can not believe even a little bit, that a person who was a "manager" in a banking situation did not know about unemployment payment, sorry but if you are trying to tell that story you need to make it up better. Kids in Jr High know about that.

Next you are a convicted drug dealer with weapons charges, so forget about what you used to be, that is not going to happen again.

Next don't expect large pay like there was many years ago either, many people over the last 5 years have taken pay cuts, cuts in hours and more.

If you even have a job, with a major conviction like that feel lucky.

And federal bonding, ( OK, ) no they care less, since it is first limited in the time frame, and second, it is more work for them, it is not the bonding company they use and will cause them more work and they feel more risk. So no they are not interested.

If you can even get in the field at all, you will be working at lower wages, less benefits and longer hours,