I am a convicted felon and I've been having a hard time finding a job since I have been out of incarceration. I'm in desperate need of money. What can I do?

Be honest on the application. If they ask if you are a convicted felon, say yes. Just answer the question, don't try to explain yourself. If you lie, and they find out the truth, they won't hire you. If you tell the truth, they may applaud your honesty and hire you.

There are many places that hire felons. Have you tried retail places? Where abouts do you live? What state? In Washington and Oregon, a lot of retailers hire felons.

Hi, Nerissa1234!

Greetings and WELCOME to the site! I just moved your question that you had posted in Introductions to this topic area so that it would get the most exposure to those who are best able to answer it. Introductions is for people to introduce themselves and we try to not ask questions there.

I do want to note that you have already received one, fine answer above!

Is your resume up to date as well as the format for your cover letter to potential employers? This being in case such things might be needed depending on the types of jobs for which you are applying.

We would appreciate it if you would return to Introductions sometime to tell us a little about yourself though, if you would be willing to do that.

Apparently, you have already done your time. Have you also completed any probation, parole and/or restitution requirements that you were supposed to do? If you have, then I would suggest not thinking of yourself so much as a "convicted felon" but, a "former felon."

You can turn your scars into stars!

But, it will be a matter of making choices on your part as far as how you feel about yourself and also the wrong that you committed and how you want to present yourself to potential employers.

As mentioned in the answer above, you need to be honest. I would also like to add, that you need to be upfront with potential employers. Put "your cards on the table." Tell them right away what you did and how sorry you are that you did what you did and how you have made great strides to improve on you since the commission of the crime as well as the penalties that you have paid, and that you are ready to move forward with your life and be a productive, proactive member of society.

Additionally, I have never seen it on a job application where it asks something about "have you ever been convicted...etc." where a person wouldn't be allowed to add sheet explaining what I have already described in this paragraph. Adding such a page just might get you noticed in the positive way that you would like to present yourself.

What was it that you were convicted of, please? It would help to know that in order for people here to help you the best here. Also, have you completed all the requirements that the judge set forth for you to do? What kind of jobs is it that you have been going for? It would also help to know about those things.

What are your present skills? If you might be interested in starting a business of some kind, maybe what is in the following paragraph will be helpful to you.

There are places in the U.S. that have organizations that do help people with criminal records to obtain jobs and maybe advise in terms of starting a business. Around where I live and also in the Chicago area, one such organization would be the Safer Foundation. Link is here: Home - Safer Foundation Perhaps there is such an organization around where you live?

Two other great places to get advice for starting businesses are http://www.sba.gov/ and SCORE | Counselors to America's Small Business | SCORE

A person can choose to keep looking back at the past and keep "dragging themselves over the coals", or beating themselves up mentally. Or, a person could choose to put their "best foot forward" and make positive and proactive choices in order to better themselves without thinking that what they did in the past might always be a barrier to what they might like to do.

We are looking forward to your answers and your response!

Thanks!