[sharpieface]

I am looking for a new job, and have a felony on my record, I am finding increasingly difficult to find a job let alone a good paying stable job. I was wondering if there are any programs or any assitance out there that helps people with felonies on their record?

[Clough]

Do you live in the U.S. Have you graduated from high school? If you live in the U.S. There is one organization that I can think of, and that would be the Safer Foundation. But, I'm not sure if it is available throughout the U.S.

[sharpieface]

Yes I live in the US, I graduated not only high school but the same day with my associates degree. This is the one thing I messed up in my life and now it's destroying everything I've worked so hard at. But of course this is what I get for doing in the first place and have no one else to blame but myself. Thank you so much for that advice I will defintly look into that right away.

[Clough]

Have you also tried temp agencies? It pays to try more than one, because some are better than others. Also, do you have any marketable skills where you could be of service to people by being self-employed? House painting, handyman, furniture refinishing, etc.

In what field did you get your Associates Degree? Are you still on probation or parole?

One thing that I would suggest, if you haven't been doing this already, is to be really honest and upfront with people at the beginning of interviews. You can say something like "I want to be honest and upfront with you about something..." And, then just tell them about your situation, what you did, how you learned from it, the remorse that you feel, etc.

Also, I have never seen it on a job application where it said that you couldn't add an extra piece of paper to the application. In fact, I have seen it where it is encouraged on the application that you do that. When, on the job application, it asks for "Have you ever been convicted of..." or, something along those lines, that can be your opportunity to also add an explanation to the application on a separate piece of paper.

Do you also have all of "your ducks in order" as far as the necessary paperwork in order to apply for jobs? Professional looking cover letter and resume, copies of letters of reference handy if you need to give or send them to someone, etc. When you have an interview, it also can greatly help if you have done research on the place where you are applying for a job so that you can tell them what you know about them and why you would be a great candidate for the position for which you are applying.

Just some thoughts for you. Don't really know what you have done concerning looking for jobs and the types of jobs for which you have applied. It would help to know those things.

[sharpieface]

Well I am on my way to temp agencies. I actually lost my job on Monday. So newly laid off... But I defintly will be going to mulitple agencies. I'm all about having many doors to open.
But this is where it gets sticky, I don't have any skills to be self employed. But alos besides the felony to add into the fun, I am also 3 months pregnant. So on top of no one wanting to hire a felon, if they do trust me enough to hire me, they'll be losing very soon for a few months for maternity leave. I myself (if I had my own business) would hire me, maybe after the baby?
I got a general A.A. At this point I can go into any field and not start from basic scratch. But that's also something I have to look into is I heard but don't know if it's true that if you have a felony you don't qualify for financial aid. I would adore going back to school, but it comes down to finances and that's something I defintly DON'T have for school.
I am a month from being taken off probation. Do you think that's part of the problem? The thing is I did this when I was just newly 18, The state is the one the prosecuted me over 2 years later for it, so it looks like I just did it!
Oh I defintly am honest. I know that is I do lie about the felong they would most likely hire me, than a few weeks months whatever they do the background check and then I'll be fired. I defintly tell them right off the bat that I have a felony.
I never thought of having letters from my references. I have them on my resume their contact numbers how I know them and how long... I guess I could include that less work for the employer. But another sticky part, no one really knows I have a felony... I don't want to admit to friends family anyone really that I was that dumb to commit this horrendous act... Sso I guess I'm just stressed that when I am applying they're going to bring that up to my references. And I know what your going to say at least I think I do... Behonest and tell them. But I just can't be that big of a let down.
Well I've only had really like 4 jobs I'm only 21. Granted I've had those jobs when I'm there for at least a year or more. But their basically teenager jobs, telemarketing, retail, waitressing etc. At least with these skills I was hoping to maybe become a secretary or filing or something that is low impact and pretty low physical for the baby... But I guess we'll see as the time moves on and the more I need money these options might become factory work, more telemarketing (which I despise!) I don't know basically any place that will hire a pregnant felon!
Lots of info! Sorry to fill your ear... But thanks for that and your help and thoughts.

Oh and I did look into that safer foundation and even emailed them to see if there was any organization like there's in Washington state. It seems to be exactly the place I'm looking for. But defintly the wrong state. Too bad I don't live in chiacgo right...