I've done my time but I can't get a job because of my record. I have heard this from countless former inmates. The key to staying free is finding stable employment. Studies have shown that a former inmate with a full time job is less likely to go back to jail.
The fact for ex-felons is a criminal record is there to stay. It is not going to change. What must change are their attitudes. There are people in the world that will hold their records against them. There is nothing that can be done about that. Employers are willing to hire qualified people from any source. One of the growing untapped labor sources are those who are classified as ex-offenders. Companies are finding that hiring ex-offenders makes good sense. People that have been to prison, make excellent employees. Most are disciplined, hard working, and honest.
The key to finding employment is to have a definite plan of action that will lead to a job. One thing that I tell job seekers is that they are about to begin a marketing plan designed to sell their product. What is the product? It is their set of skills and attitude. In order to get the job they want, they must be able to let a potential employer know exactly what they can do and how it can work for them. Being able to identify and describe skills will give them an advantage. They must then identify employers that can use their skills.
Finding a job is a number game. The more job leads they find, the more interviews they will get. The more interviews they get, the more offers they will receive. The challenge is to get as many quality job leads as possible.
If all goes well, the interviews will come. The interview is the time where the product is matched to the employers needs. To get the job, one must effectively sell oneself. This is done by proper appearance, presentation of qualifications and poise. There must also be an attitude of trust and sincerity that will make the employer feel that they are right for the job. Preparation is key. Get friends and family member to help you practice for upcoming interviews. Anticipate questions and practice your answers so they sound genuine.
Getting a job is not an exact science but being prepared will put in the best position to get hired. Good Luck!
Get more great advice on ex-offender job searching at http://www.Jailtojob.com
Eric Mayo specializes in professional and personal development with special emphasis on life skills and job readiness training. Eric has over 20 years of corporate and educational experience which he uses to help people improve the quality of their lives.
Eric has been studying, learning, applying and executing the art of personal achievement and leadership throughout his career. It is truly his passion and his gift. He combines a straightforward approach and real-world perspective with a presentation style that is inspirational and motivational. His primary message is, “Independence through Self-Reliance."
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