Despite the improving economy, ex-felons may still have a hard time finding employment. This may be attributed to the fact that there are a number of employers who are wary of hiring ex-offenders. Nonetheless, careful planning and re-aligning your job search will help you gain better results.
Here are some tips and pieces of career advice that can be used when drafting a resume for ex-offenders and felons:
Never conceal your conviction
No matter how tempting it may be, never leave-off or hide the fact that you're an ex-felon. While hiding your felony record may seem beneficial, it may even cause more problems and issues in the future. This is particularly true especially if your hiring manager discovers that you have served a term in prison.
However, don't directly mention that you have been imprisoned for XX number of years. This will just give hiring managers a reason to discard your application. If your incarceration left a huge gap on your application, instead of directly stating that you have been in prison, use the functional format. Nonetheless, if a functional format cannot hide the gap, it should include a "will discuss during interview" caption. This will help you secure a chance to discuss and explain your situation, something that you can't easily obtain when you directly state that you have served time in prison.
View your prison term in a different light
Instead of brooding over your conviction, your application should highlight the skills and proficiencies that you have developed while incarcerated. For instance, if you have attended crash courses in web site development, graphics design, and other computer courses, you can highlight them in your copy.
Again, a functional format is your best ally in this type of situation. This is due to the fact that it highlights skills and capabilities instead of focusing on work timelines.
Seek assistance when writing
Unless you have a good hand when it comes to writing, it is best that you seek assistance when writing your resume. A good writer can help you correct the flaws and minimize the imperfections in your document. Moreover, he can also help in highlighting your expertise without having to focus on your other issues such as incarceration or your felony records. Remember that a resume for ex-offenders and felons must be able to focus on the applicant's proficiencies and not on his felony issues.
Search for companies that hire ex-felons
It is normal for employers to be wary of hiring an ex-offender. This may sound biased, but this is the reality. In order to lessen your frustration and self-doubt, the best thing that you can do is to search for companies that hire ex-felons. This may sound tough since there are companies that claim to hire ex-felons even if they do not. As such, your company search should begin with your correctional or parole officer. Ask them if they can refer you to a company that welcomes ex-offenders. There are also a number of non-profit organizations that provide assistance to ex-felons who wish to rejoin the workforce.
There are many ways on how an ex-felon can enjoy better results from his or her job search. It may not be that easy since there are really those who would discriminate a former criminal regardless of how he or she exerts effort to change his/her life. As a matter of fact, it may even be more difficult than serving a sentence in prison. All it takes is a customized resume for ex-offenders and felons and the sheer determination to start all over again.
Melinda Edwards works as a career consultant and has been invited in many forums and events on human resource management. She is also a time management expert who effectively performs her roles both as a career woman and a mother.
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