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brickerz · Aug 19, 2011, 09:01 AM

Hello, my name is Zach, I'm 28 and am currently unemployed. I was convicted of a felony drug charge for distribution when I was 20. I've had some success with jobs, and a lot of temp to perm positions failing because of a background check... even though I always disclose to the temp agency.

I've been back to school for 2 years, I have a 4.0 GPA with a major in Physics and attend a prestigious university in PA. I have a letter of recommendation from 5 different professors, the provost of the University, and the President of the University. They even gave me their personal information to put down as references for work history because I do tutoring there during the school year but only an average of 10 hours a week when students need it. I also spent an entire summer semester at 20 hour per week working directly with a mathematics professor to help teach/tutor a mentally challenged student. I've recently been accepted into a paid internship for next summer at the NASA research labs in northern California, I spoke with the director of the program out there and she stated they could care less about my record and had already reviewed it.

I've been searching for a job now for 2 months, I'm having no luck as every agency and job I've applied for requires a background check. None of my previous experience, accolades, or character references seem to matter. I've been turned down for menial labor jobs, technical jobs, and jobs that are well below my ability level.

Is there anything I can do beyond pursuing an expungement ($5,000 I don't have) in order to better facilitate my chances of getting a decent paying job for the school year? I've exhausted so many avenues and I'm not normally one to let life beat me down but I am starting to feel exhausted in this uphill battle.

Wondergirl · Aug 19, 2011, 09:05 AM

Have you ever offered to be an unpaid intern or even a volunteer for a certain period so the business can see how you work and evaluate you?

brickerz · Aug 19, 2011, 09:24 AM

I have. Unfortunately there aren't many places in my location that offer unpaid internships, and even fewer still that would see a student majoring in physics as an asset to their business.

Fr_Chuck · Aug 19, 2011, 09:54 AM

Is 5000 dollars an investment, compared to the 1000's you are losing in income ? I would perhaps try to find a way to afford it.

But no, esp in today's high unemployment, there are 100 applications to any one opening. So even a "ding" can get you not considered. If you are even getting a call for a interview that is amazing.

You need to network, those professors, see if they know a manager in a business where they can personally call and get you a recommendation. If for example, a boss goes into HR and tells them they want you hired that makes a difference.

Beyond that, you often will have to work at lower level jobs and try to work your way up.

excon · Aug 19, 2011, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by brickerz

I've been searching for a job now for 2 months, I'm having no luck as every agency and job I've applied for requires a background check.

Is there anything I can do

Hello b:

Sure. Don't go through agencies...

Connect with the actual person who can HIRE you. I don't know what that will take for you, because I don't know what kind of work you're looking for... But, even if it's high tech, you need to apply to the smaller, mom and pop shops, where you can find the guy in charge right when you walk in..

Then, don't pretend he's a social agency looking to give you a "break".. He ISN'T. He's in the business of making a profit... So, you tell him how he MUST have your services in order to INCREASE his profit... IF you've sold him on THAT, he won't care about your record.

excon

Wondergirl · Aug 19, 2011, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by brickerz

even fewer [businesses] that would see a student majoring in physics as an asset to their business.

What does that have to do with getting a job? The fact that you are a good student says volumes of good things about you. The physics part has nothing to do with anything. Or is that your cop-out?

Fr_Chuck · Aug 19, 2011, 10:44 AM

I guess the question is , if you know finding a job with a physics major is hard, why are you taking that major?

What was or is your plan to do with the degree.

But if you are still a student and wanting to work while in college, sorry but most deliver pizza or flip burgers ( do they actually flip them any more? )