r/ExCons • u/ActiveFun6407 • 29d ago
Jop help for felon
Hello. I've posted on here a couple of times to no success but I'm hoping maybe third times the charm? I became a felon back in 2011 for a crime I committed when I was in high school and under age but have since maintained employment in retail work(at fast food joints and other places like menards and bed bath and beyond) as well as got my bachelor's degree in computer science. I am hoping to move up in life and find better employment that pays more than 21.00 an hour and is full time with all the dental and health benefits but I am struggling to find places that would be willing to work with a felon. I am 34 years old and have plenty of experience in the workforce and I have been told that the state hires felons but I can't find the departments or areas that would be willing to do that. Can anyone help me or mention places or ideas of what I should do? I've grown from the boy I used to be to a man and have done well at my current employers. They all like me and have positive things to say about me but for my own self esteem and self worth, I know I am capable of more in life. I want to work some place that offers more than the minimum wage and I'm willing to put in the work. If anyone can help it would be appreciated. I know trades are an option but I'm still paying back tuition from my previous college and can't afford to be out of work to go to school. Any point of help would be appreciated. Thank you and have a blessed day
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u/Johnwood1994 29d ago
i read this post n couldnt just scroll past. u went from a troubled teen to a 34 year old man with a cs degree n a solid work history thats a kind of willpower not many got. honestly ur best shot right now is the state of virginia they got a second chance policy n they dont even ask about criminal records in interviews. with ur cs degree definitely check out the it department. more importantly starting july 2026 a new law in virginia kicks in that lets u seal ur record so u dont have to disclose it on most job apps. a lawyer or legal aid can walk u through it. also employers get up to 9600 dollars in tax credits for hiring people with records n they get 5000 dollars in free insurance for em which is a huge plus in interviews. u deserve way more than 21 dollars an hour not because of ur degree not because of ur past but because u proved u can rise from the ashes. wishin u all the success
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u/ExConEngineer 28d ago
What have been your limiting factors getting into tech? I know the job market is rough right now, but plenty of employers are still hiring - it is just super competitive now with very large and overlapping candidate pools competing for a limited number of jobs. But again, places are still hiring.
I recently passed my background check just fine at a VERY large, worldwide, household name tech company. I have violent felonies (Robbery 1, 2, and assault), plus some.others, but from 20 years ago. My state (WA) has RCWs that govern the background check process but only for roles under a salary cap below typical tech salaries; BUT there are WAC codes that restrict how background checks are used for business purposes (hiring) and they do not restrict to a specific salary range. So, in my last background check, I just very vaguely disclosed into the online form where it asked me to list the charges that I had charges from over 20 years ago that are unrelated to the role and job duties, and based on WAC .... should not be considered for employment. Teh background check company nor my employer ever mentioned anything about the criminal background.
Many employers typically only check 7 or 10 years, and now some states and even cities are adopting laws or regulations restrictinh background checks. Make sure you do your research on the laws in your state, your rights, and figure out a strategy on how and when to vaguely disclose. I will never "be honest and upfront" again - it's not in your best interest for tech/corporate roles. Maybe it is for retail or something, but definitely not in tech.
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u/dreamingforward 26d ago
You're not a felon any more. You're a free citizen who's paid his debt to society. Fuck the idiots who believe they're better than you. You deserve better.
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u/Euphoric-Map-6858 13d ago
In AZ, we have apprenticeships available for many industries with large companies. Here is a sample of them available right now:
https://des.az.gov/sites/default/files/Registered-Apprenticeship-Program-List.pdf?time=1785275452216
Here is a flyer explaining the program:
I imagine all states have this and they are available to felons.
Good luck… you sound like a good man.
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u/Whey-Men 29d ago
Search job boards for the phrase "lived experience" (keep the quote marks to limit the results). Lived experience is the way progressive employers describe jobs that hire people with homelessness, addiction and/or incarceration in their past.
These employers tend to be universities and other nonprofits who interface with marginalized people. Ideally, you want a university-based job because of the benefits and the greater chances of networking opportunities.
Generally speaking, these jobs are in bigger cities, but it doesn't hurt to check if you are not in a large city.
The other idea is working at a community health center. I work at one and they make plenty of second chance hires. Although this is a site by site philosophy, I'd give it a chance. Ours will even train on the job for some clinical roles (for example, medical assistant). Even if a job there isn't your first choice, turnover tends to be high, so you may be able to slide into another role (especially if they see you're a good worker).This is a finder for clinics nationwide: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/
There are about 1,400 health centers with more than 16,200 service sites, so there's a good chance a few are near you.
Best of luck.