OUT FROM BEHIND BARS: THE EX OFFENDER’S JOB SEARCH.

The word, “ex offender” has the word, “ex” in it. “Ex” means former, past, over, history. A done deal. Don’t let your former life stand in your way and rob you of your personal power, self esteem and confidence.

OK, so you made some mistakes. Will the outside world judge you and fear you? You bet. But you’re not the same person. You just have to work harder to convince an employer to give you a second chance…a new beginning. There are a few specific things you can do before being granted the pass, “Go.”

The first thing is attitude. Make it good. Freshen up your outlook and give it a new face. You’ve paid your debt to society; admit you did something wrong and now forgive yourself. If you don’t, it will show and you will convey the vibe that makes people around someone who has a heavy feel of a mysterious burden or guilt. Sit up straight and look people in the eye. Don’t dart your eyes or focus down. Time to forgive yourself, polish up a resume and hit the ground running. Change your self image and you will have taken the first step.

YOU have to believe you are not that same person. It may take time and practice but eventually the world outside you will catch up. Be determined to bar none.

Improve your image in your community. Talk the talk of a reformed individual. Become involved in a volunteer organization especially with youth and join a house of worship.

Ask for reference letters from probation or parole officers and your church pastor or temple leader. And consider something most people won’t think of: write a formal letter of apology to someone or some business you’ve wronged. It shows true character and conveys true reform. Keep a copy for yourself to prove how serious you are about your reform and acceptance back into society.

Network. I always tell my ex offender clients when I’ve gone into prison to recruit those about to be released for training and employment. It’s ironic but if you think about it, the same skills that got you in trouble in the first place, can now keep you out. You just need to transfer those skills to legitimate deeds.

I urge them to come to their local One Stop Career Center (they are national and can be found through your local zip code on www.servicelocator.org). I urge them to come immediately upon release as the agencies can link them up with social services, training, etc. and make their transition as seamless as possible. If you’re a veteran or receiving public assistance, you may receive priority service, under certain grant procurements.

If you need ongoing rehabilitation for overcoming an addiction disease or need to remain triumphant in your recovery, you can be directed and referred, as well.

There have been and continue to be, many programs aimed at helping ex offenders keep from returning to prison and entering productive society. Some of the agencies include The Osborne Association (www.osborneny.org) in Bronx, Brooklyn and Beacon NY; America Works (www.americaworks.com with locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Far Rockaway Queens and Newark New Jersey) America Works is an employment agency for ex offenders, and The Fortune Society in Manhattan (www.fortunesociety.org), just to name a few. The New York Public Library produces a soft cover reference for ex offender transitional services with innumerable listings of all housing, crisis and helping agencies throughout New York City. The St. Vincent de Paul Society and Salvation Army will also assist individuals in urgency.

Some of the tangible things ex offenders can do and equip themselves with, include Certificates of Relief from Disabilities (or Good Conduct for multiple felonies). These state documents show that someone has made an effort to prove themselves worthy of consideration and removes bars to certain occupations, in some cases.

These certificates can be obtained from The Legal Action Center in lower Manhattan. Call 212 243-1313 the first week of each month (only) to secure the assistance of a paralegal or just return to the court of your conviction and ask for one. Obtaining certificates may require a certain amount of time to have passed from your release but are worth getting. If you are in the process of applying for one, you can always indicate that to an employer. You should also get a copy of your rap sheet to make sure it is accurate. The same agency can assist with this as well. See www.lac.org

New York State Department of Labor reps will provide an ex offender with Bonding assurance to an employer that he/she/the company is protected from theft, etc. An ex offender can be bonded only after a job offer has been made. The issue of being able to obtain bonding is an excellent selling point in an interview and extra support and reassurance for the ex offender interviewing for a position as well as the employer.

Another selling point which ex offenders can use during interviews is the Worker Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC). This is a tax credit of up to $2000. given the employer if he or she hires an ex offender. (WOTC also applies to public assistance recipients in the same way.)

And now to the question of applications. There are two schools of thought on how to answer the question, “Have you ever been convicted of a crime?” If you lie on the application, most certainly, employers can easily check today with the availability of information on the Internet. If you write “Yes,” most certainly the employer will be intimidated and toss your application.

What I recommend? Write “Yes, but I have learned my lesson and turned my life around.” You can attach a separate piece of paper with a short paragraph explaining that you were young and foolish and have since taken steps to change your life and you can mention some of them.

When you are fortunate enough to be granted an interview (a tough feat for non offenders as well in these times!), be open, honest and contrite. Sell yourself but don’t avoid the conviction as if it’s the Plague. Say, “Look, I’m willing to work hard to prove myself and have you look over my back. I understand if you are hesitant, but if you hire me, you’ll have a dedicated, dependable individual who has the skills you need and a grateful person to be given a second chance. How long will you need to trust me? Can I hop on board and work for you for a week without pay to show you I’m not who I used to be?” With a little patience, some faith, a lot of hard work, you can turn your life around for good. For more information on offender services in New York State, go to www.labor.state.ny.us and search for “offender workforce development” or “offender reentry services” or “legal Issues and Employer Incentives.” Any questions pertaining to offender issues, you can call the office in Albany at 518-485-2151. Someone will get back to you.

-By The Job Goddess Who Won’t Rest Till Everyone Is Put To Work!

Read about more helpful resources from The Job Goddess here.