Is damn hard. I have so far applied at twenty different places. Not a single one of them has called me back. I've tried calling them back, letting them know that I really am eager to know if they're hiring. I've turned in Resumes and even attached letters of why I should be hired. I figured maybe the extra mile would help but alas not a difference. I don't even want a life that is based on monetary gains but I still need to eat.

Now I'm not a felon yet seeing as how they continually postpone the trial but I will be as of October 8. I figured that I should try to get a job before I am charged seeing as that would be ridiculously easier. I am however on recognizance waiting for said trail and every job application says you must list any charges that are pending or if your on recognizance. There goes that idea, the bastards.....


Now I know that the type of felony matters quite a bit so here's some info on mine. They are MDMA distribution charges. I don't know how many there will be. There was eight but they dropped those to 5 charges but I haven't had trial yet so I don't know if more will be dropped or if those five are sticking. They did an investigation on me while I was still in high school. It evidently lasted four months. I had no idea. The head investigator is the epitome of a prick because he told me they purposefully waited till after I graduated high school to arrest me. Therefore confiscating all my graduation money as "drug" money and fucking my employment opportunities for life. Thanks Uncle Sam.

It's getting ridiculous. I need a fucking job. I need to pay my rent. I need to buy food. The last of my funds is slowly draining away and it's damn hard to find a way to replenish it. No, before the acolyte says it, I am not fucking selling drugs again. Prison is not for me.

Here is a list of some of the places I have applied.
Safeway
Starbucks
Big 5 Sporting Goods
Blockbuster
RadioShack
Juice Shacks
Raleys
R. E. I
Target
Costco
Movie Theaters
A bunch of Mom and Pop places



It seems any medium to large corporations will never take the liability to hire anyone with a dotted past. I figured my best chance was the Mom and Pop places just because they are more likely to look at it on a case by case basis. Besides you get to work with the actual owner and get to know them and well basically there is a fucking chance of getting hired at least.

When I have to check the "Do not hire me box" I attempt to explain it a little bit. Not in a sappy, take pity on me way but in a clear manner. This is what I usually write.

"I was convicted of MDMA distribution , and have fulfilled my obligations to the Court/Society/etc. I know that crime is wrong, and I also know that I have to try harder, and be better than the average person. I am ready to do this."

I figured that's the best way to word it. Anyone have any better ideas?

No, I can't ask my P.O. because I don't have one yet. So he can't help direct me to any work programs. I however still have to check the felon box because it comes up in the database if they do a background check. That's automatically not getting the job if you lied.

I want to go to college but I have no money whatsoever. I have about half a tank of gas and seven dollars to my name. I can't get a college grant because all felons are exempt from those. It honestly seems like the only way to make money is to go back to crime but I'm not going down that path.

Trade school is looking like a viable option at the moment. No one in construction seems to give a fuck about your past. Anyone have any good ideas? Anyone been in this situation before?

Some security guard places would train you, Military too , but thats a bit drastic.

Despite laws being in place (I'm in England, so granted, laws will differ slightly) and you're right - companies are biased. Back in my old job as supervisor/trainee manager we're supposed to keep resumés on file for three months. If I didn't like the look of one however, it would "get lost". I.e; I'd throw it away.

I think a safe bet for you is to sign yourself up to some employment/recruitment agencies. Those guys are paid to find you work. Granted it's not the most stable option and it isn't great work but it'll get your foot back in the door. Larger stores etc may find themselves overlooking (they should anyway ) your legal troubles if you're already holding down a job.

Other than that there's little else I can suggest because I don't know how things work in the states. Get involved with some community work? At least try to provide a basis that you're being proactive.

Security? Maybe

The military can suck my balls though.

Yeah, the recruitment agencies is a good idea. Thanks. Probably just a lot of factory work and day to day paychecks but they'll pay at least.

I could do some community service, I mean yes it would look good on the resume but I don't really think I have time to do that. I need work that pays. I can only survive off my roomates food for so long before they get pissed.

Community service aint going to jack shit unless you applying for some humanatirian job like fund raising for kids without arms of some shit.

I go to craiglist and see a bunch security guard bullshit.

Ergh, no wonder you're likely going to be a security guard.

Any kind of formal education/training would be great. That's the best way to get started anywhere. And yes, many construction/landscaping companies will hire you. The ones around here all hire illegals, so I'm sure they'll be fine with a pending felon. You might not enjoy manual labor, but you can't be too picky when you're in certain situations. They don't pay too badly either.

Sorry to hear about your story. As it has been mentioned, I'm sure some kind of employment agency could at least set you up with a temp job. That way you could build some experience and look more valuable and reliable to other employers.

Good luck.

You've applied to like 20 places, in what... a day? You're obviously not trying ahrd enough, or that little box that says "have you ever been convicted...." is getting checked "yes", instead of "no". Chances are, if they don't require a criminal check/background check, they aren't looking into it. So you just might be fucking yourself, by telling the truth.

I've applied at more I just didn't list every place. I've checked "no" at three different places and when I called them back for any more information on the job, they said I did not pass the background test and was not eligible for hiring. They then hung up.

The trades are an excellent option. Talk to a construction company. Do you have any idea what sort of trade catches your interest?

Join a gang

That sucks so much. Just because you sold some fucking pills your fucked out of getting a decent job. I hate America.

With all the talk of a totse revolution I wish we'd actually have one.

What you said about how your going to have to go above and beyond sounded pretty good.

Good luck man

You haven't been convicted yet, but you're still calling yourself a felon on your application? Wtf?

^^^ Agreed.

Also what is the sentence for lying on a job application? That's bound to be death row, right? Good luck finding anyone to press charges though, companies are too busy and cops will piss on you they'll be laughing so hard.

Lie your ass off, you have a common law right to continue your life without any BS once you've completed any lawful obligations given to you by a judge.

Fuck them. Fact of the matter is most of the assholes who make the laws do so by virtue of the fact that they haven't been caught yet, whether of smoking da (gasp) pot or fucking their mistress up the arse.

In point of fact, it's not a lie if you haven't been convicted yet.

In all seriousness , I hear cutco is hiring.

Lulz.

did they catch you with drugs?

I have some experience in hardwood flooring and gutters so I'm looking at that at the moment.


No thanks.

Meh, I brought it on myself. You don't have to be an angel just don't get caught.

As I said whenever I don't check that box, they do a background check and I fail it. It's already in the system.

I am not worried about getting sentenced for lieing on a job application. That is trivial. I am worried about finding a fucking job.

In short, yes.


Thanks for all the suggestions, templars.

self employment man. offer your neighbors to fix their gutters and floors.

it sucks but you gotta do what you gotta do.

Winner! There's also always windows to be cleaned and painting to be done.

EDIT: also you'll probably earn a lot more per hour than Starbucks, unless your a negro. No-one want's negros near their house.

There is a lot of money in the flooring industry. It's a solid industry with a future throughout the world. The only issue that surrounds it is your back and knees; it's an industry that will pain you by the time you're forty. You'll have to learn what you're doing and aim, save, towards a desk job for the end of your career.

Go for it.

hmm well i noticed you're in the bay area. Have you gone to places at Pier 39? they always seem to be hiring. Also was the big five you applied to the one on sloat? A friend of mine works there and they gets tons of applications daily. Keep in mind your in SF and its a little harder to get jobs around here. If worse comes to worse you can always commute to Oakland.

I wasn't planning on making a long term career out of it anyhow. It might be able to pay the bills now though and that's all that matters.

I'll keep my options open. Thanks.

I haven't gone to Pier 39 yet. I could I just hadn't even thought of it. The one on sloat is huge but I applied at a different one.

I'm cool off of working in East Oakland but if I could find a job elsewhere in Oakland there then I might. I've pretty much been looking on the opposite side of the bridge.

Ok dude, I know a bit about this because of my friend's brother, who got busted sellin'.. well, everything.

Most places WILL NOT HIRE YOU.. period. They will take your application, maybe interview you but.. when there are tons of clean cut people who apply there too, who will be less of a risk, why would they hire you?

He tried that for I don't know how long, back when I was in eighth grade he was like 20, living at home, his situation looked grim to me.

My friends bro ended up working with a family friend in air conditioning.. his life is somewhat on track, he's 25 or so and he's got a nice apartment, a hot girlfriend and a Honda Civic.

good luck i know catching a charge can fuck with your life.


edit: or just lie on your application. can't be too hard, just work at Taco Bell or somethin.

Get CPR, firstaid, and lifeguard certifications. Apply for a position at the YMCA.

You should make 2 applications. Each with different names. Hand them in. One saying your a felon and the other one the same minus the felon part. If they call you for the app without the felon bit in it and ignore yours sue the fuckers for discrimination and get millions and never work again.

It's not discrimination if you don't hire felons. It's not like a minority case or something. When you're a felon, you get rights taken away. Not all of them, but a lot of them. It's a nice thought though.

Are you assured you're not going to be going there anyways considering you're looking at what you say is possibly five charges of distribution on a Schedule I drug?

I'm hoping they will drop 1 or 2 more once the trial actually starts. My public defender sucks balls though. Court was at 1:30 and he showed up at 1:32, it was quite professional.


Plus I'm only 18 so I don't think they would send me to prison. I would be raped and shanked simultaneously in the first week. Fuck San Quentin.

hey man i know how hard it is, was charged with 7 felonies and just got out of jail a few months ago.. I got 8 years paper, wont be off the leash until 2016.. Its a dog eat dog eat world out there man.

What you should do is ask your p.o. about services that cater specifically to ex cons. There are a few groups here who do that, your po should know if you have any. What you do here is go every day 9-4 for about 3 weeks to their programs to prove your interested and then they place you into a job..

Its rough when you have a record, you have to try 4 times as hard as a normal person looking for work.. but check on that from your PO. if all else fails try temp agencies or try to pull a disability check from the govt.

a message of hope for you man. i just got hired wednesday as an office worker/sales men at a reputable/profitable fragrance company. it is doing so well they are expanding to the extent that they are opening 15 new offices in st louis and are in need of all levels of employees i got hired as a manager of one of the offices based on my one year of experience managing a warehouse.

they literally told me "no drug use or alcohol use DURING work hours but what you do in your free time is what you do so long as it doesn't effect you here". it asked if i had ever been convicted of a misdimeanor or felony (i've been convicted of both but i am working my felony off) i had to consent to a background check and nothing changed. they intimidate you into telling the truth on that shit.

anyways, i have 45-90 days of training in which i get paid $400 a week and then after that i make 40k a year. not bad, not bad at all

Before you get convicted, man up to the judge and describe your situation. Try to talk with the DA about it. Maybe he could charge you with multiple misdemeanors instead.

Prove that you are willing to go the extra mile to avoid a felony conviction, but that you also know you have to serve your time.