In todays society, How can one go about gettin a foot in the door at a decent place of employment with........

Question

No wheels, No college degree, A limited wardrobe, and a record? Is America so against rehabilitation that No One Man trying to turn around may do so without living in poverty? I'm far from crying..But feel as if options are few and far between. Exile sounds familliar. It seems as though I have not one good chance left. I'm close to getting my license straight, but no work. I'm trying my best not to give up..and the last thing I want is to milk charity, or end up holding a sign by an on ramp. I'm able bodied, able minded last time I checked, and in a rut. Positive answers please.

Answer 1

Sometimes you need to take anything that comes along. You may have to start off doing fast food, telemarketing, or places like Wal-Mart, just to build up a resume. If you work hard, things will work out.

Answer 2

Take any job you can for now. Also, you may want to leave the "convicted" question blank and hope it isn't noticed by a prospective employer--if you didn't lie about it and no one asked you, it is less likely to come back to bite you. If it does come up in the interview, plainly tell what your charges were and tell them you are past that and moving on with your life--but keep that part of the interview as short as possible. Make the part they remember how great they think you will be at the job, and your chances will be better that they will overlook your past. As for the wheels and wardrobe, you'll have to get around that--mostly by job selection.

If all else fails, go into business for yourself rather than getting a job. Someone once told me that if you own a lawnmower and a gas-powered leaf blower you are never unemployed (of course, this guy also has a truck), and that is pretty much true. If you can't afford those things to start yourself off, see if there is a landscaper you can work for to get started.

I guess the point is that there are some jobs that aren't great but have no background check at all that you could use to save yourself from becoming a bum, and once you have done that, you will be able to find a better opportunity eventually. Once you have turned things around, you'll be better able to get a regular job--if you still want to.

Answer 3

Granted, you have the deck stacked against you. At least you're willing to admit that you put yourself there. Biol down to one sentance what your record is about, and own it.

When asked in interviews, simply state whatever you did without b;aming anyone else, and point out your effort to change. For example, if you sold drugs "I made a dumb choice and sold drugs to a friend, but I have since distanced myself from that world alltogether." Or, if you stole, say "I stole something because I didn't appreciate at the time, how important is it to work to earn something."

Redemption is a vrey respectable thing. People give you credit for staying in the game, even when it gets tough. With each rejection you face, there is wisdom to be gained and it adds to your character. You have to expect some rejection, but you have to know that 2 out of 20 will say yes and give you a chance.

There are many agencies that help people in your position. Search online for "job placement agencues" "employment agencies" and related words. Also look on jobseeking sites, like monster.com. Those sites have self-assessment tests, career interest tests, resume writing tips, and other valuable emplyment-related info.

Depending on what skills you have, you could earn a decent wage working with warehouse work, road work, forklift work, assembly lines, food service, call centers, phone tech support, packaging, etc. You might want to avoid cash handling positions or supervisory positions when you have a record, as you will have to prove yourself to be trustworthy. Hospitals are always looking for housekeeping staff, and if you are into outdoor work, you might try landscaping or lawn services (or seasonal snow removal).

What you could do to make yourself look better is to go volunteer an hour or two each day.every other day, etc. You can include that on your resume/work history. Charitable work makes you look better and working towards redemption. Go to the Salvation Army website and look for a volunteer opportunity. They have stuff like helping out in the community fitness centers, food shelf, donated items and clothes, etc. You just type in your location and it shows you what's needed there. It's only a couple of hours of your time, but worth so much to those who need your support. And, it goes a long way to demonstrate your good faith effort and character traits.

Anyway, no matter who you ae, where you've been. and what you think you lack, you always have something to offer someone. Stay in the game and know that your mistakes just showed you what didn't work. They do not detract from your quality as a human being.

Answer 4

Glad to here your trying, sorry it isn't going so well.

Keep possotive and go for it, sales jobs tend to be a good start as attitude is everything, though some of the slicker oufits would expect a suite, you can get your foot in the door with a little bit of check.

Of course mannual work is an option, not so good on the nails but pays well.

Also look at trying volentery work to get your CV (resumé) moving a bit.

Good Luck

Answer 5

some places specialize in hiring those with a record who are wanting a chance. there are some around here and there are some around where you are, too. you just have to find them. don't worry about taking a little charity until you can get on your feet. it's worth it to accept a little help. consider starting your own business (you don't say what your skills are). if you are a skilled carpenter, pipe-fitter, short-order-cook, asbestos remover, you will probably have no difficulty. consider getting education in a skill area. lots of folks with no skills have this same problem, record or not. consider taking assistance to get skills for a career.

Answer 6

I am afraid that the situation as described is a difficult one. Employers discriminate against people for many reasons, and the ones you stated is just one of those many. Because of age, many employers won't hire people like myself, regardless of how many degrees we have.

Answer 7

Try Goodwill in the city that you are living in, in Austin TX they regularly place people that have employment barriers into jobs that allow growth. Good luck.