Career Options

It can be really difficult when ex-convicts search for employment. Obviously there is a lack of trust problem. When a business owner sees someone's resume and find out the given applicant has been in prison, they don't want to hire him anymore. This is especially true if the job is related to dealing and working with the public. There are cases when ex-convicts search for employment for over a year. They can end up going for numerous job interviews and not get the job. They find this really frustrating. It feels like they are being discriminated although they stay on the right path if they were given the chance.

Fortunately, there are some brave and forward thinking business owners that see the opportunity when ex-convicts search for employment. Those businessmen create new profitable ventures by doing something good for society and giving people a second chance. So there are altruistic and practical reasons for giving a second chance. Employers shouldn't be scared of people who are interested in turning their lives around. On the contrary, ex-convicts can become the best employees because they are on a mission to prove something. They want to prove that they can succeed.

But statistics reveal that there is no serious growth in the number of employers hiring convicts, due to the misunderstandings surrounding the issue. On top of that, there is an overall lack of federal and state hiring incentives, which could potentially make the whole thing much more attractive. Good news is that this trend is expected to end. Denise Ost, who is a vice president of operations for Goodwill Industries of San Joaquin Valley, has the following to say on this matter: "I think we are on the cusp of things beginning to change. This is really an untapped labor market. And as the unemployment rates go down, employers are fighting over fewer and fewer employees." Goodwill Industries works with 92 prospective Valley employers willing to hire former prisoners, many of whom have been convicted of drug-related charges.

Some positive steps were made in California as there is now a law stating that employers hiring parolees are eligible for tax credits from the federal government worth up to $2,400. The credit is claimed during the employee's first year of employment. Department of Corrections and PRIDE Industries are constantly promoting the benefits of hiring ex-convicts so they are doing their bit in turning things around.

Career Options |