Best Job Options For Someone With A Criminal Record

Many organizations are now offering jobs for people with criminal records because all people make mistakes. Sadly, certain mistakes may have a greater influence on your destiny than others. For example, obtaining work is a challenge for numerous Americans who have a criminal past.

All individuals are worthy of another opportunity. You ought to be given the chance to try again and obtain work, despite the fact you have been guilty of mistakes in the past. It is possible that you will face obstacles that those without a criminal record will not have to deal with. The challenge of finding jobs for people with criminal records can be daunting; however, many programs are designed help people with criminal record find a job so that they can contribute positively to society.

In this article, we’ll discuss what it entails to have a criminal record, the kind of jobs you can get with a criminal record, and strategies for increasing your chances of getting hired even if you’ve got a criminal record.

What does a criminal record actually mean?

An individual’s criminal past is detailed in their criminal record. Depending on the sort of crime committed, an entry on a person’s record in the US may be either a felony or a misdemeanor.

Be clear that you are not the only one who feels this way about carrying a criminal history. Being a criminal is by no means unusual, says a recent study. The number of persons behind bars has increased fourfold between 1980 and the present.

7.7 million American citizens are still behind bars as of right now. An additional 12.1 million Americans are facing felonies without going to jail. Lastly, 45 million people in America have committed a minimum of one misdemeanor.

The 19.8 million American citizens who have either served time in prison or been convicted of a crime share similarities with people who have committed a minimum of one misdemeanor. Nonetheless, these figures continue to demonstrate the prevalence of criminal records among Americans.

However, what does it actually mean for somebody to have a criminal history record? And what effect does this have on their prospects for employment?

A criminal record’s effect on one’s ability to make money was also investigated in the same research. Their analysis indicates that different criminal history forms have differing effects on earning possibilities:

• 52% less earning potential after incarceration
• 22% less earning potential due to felonies
• 16% less earning potential due to misdemeanor

While searching for jobs, people with criminal records often face significant hurdles. This is because hiring somebody with a criminal past is strictly prohibited by policy for many companies. Some companies will only employ individuals with a criminal past for specific roles.

Can someone with a criminal past obtain employment?

It’s an undeniable fact that those with criminal records may find it more challenging to find employment than those without such records. Nonetheless, a criminal background does not automatically preclude one from getting hired. Knowing what challenges you’ll encounter can assist you in properly preparing for them. There are various types of jobs you can get with a criminal record,

What kind of criminal history you have will determine your career prospects. For example, some employers will accept applicants with misdemeanor convictions but not those with felonies.

If a candidate is able to clear a drug test, some employers will hire them despite their incarceration or felony record.

Hiring managers may reserve their right to reject candidates who have a history of sexual or violent offenses.

Remember that state-specific restrictions apply to background checks. Employers are not permitted to perform background checks before considering you for employment in certain states due to “ban the box” legislation.

This implies that you can go through the interview phase and have an opportunity to tell your version of the narrative before hiring managers learn about your history on their own.

Six careers available to anyone with a criminal past

There are many jobs you can get with a criminal record. These are a few instances of occupations where you can apply for a second chance. The availability of jobs for people with criminal records help reduce recidivism rate. Despite the challenges, there are many jobs you can get with a misdemeanor, ranging from construction and manufacturing roles.

1. Delivery

Are you a licensed driver? If so, you might want to consider a career in delivery.

Those with criminal backgrounds are hired for a large number of delivery jobs and gigs. It is up to the corporation what level of a record they will accept. Many employers are becoming more open-minded, realizing that offering jobs you can get with a misdemeanor can contribute to someone’s reintegration into society.

For instance, if you have a serious crime, felony, or driving record, Uber won’t allow you to clear the background verification. If this is the case for you, though, you might want to look at another delivery program, such as Postmates, as they might examine your eligibility if you’ve undergone rehabilitation. There are delivery jobs you can get with a criminal record.

FedEx is another business that employs delivery drivers. FedEx won’t treat you differently because of your background, but there can be a restriction on some jobs. For example, if you get a DUI, you won’t be eligible to secure a job that includes driving, but you could still be able to find other work.

The hourly median pay for delivery drivers is $16.51. Also required is your diploma (high school) or its equivalent. Additionally, a valid driver’s license is required. You typically do not require your diploma, though, if you join up for a delivery or ride-sharing app.

2. Food Service

The food service sector offers a broad range of opportunities and there are definitely some jobs you can get with a criminal record. For people who don’t own a car or have a DUI, it’s a fantastic choice.

Among the positions in the food service industry that are available are:

• Hosts, bussers, and servers at restaurants
• Cook
• Worker in food preparation
• Dishwasher
• A quick-service restaurant’s short-order cook

Since many of these jobs are appropriate for entry-level employees, it’s a fantastic chance for somebody starting over with a criminal history.

There are opportunities for advancement when working in the food service industry. Chefs can learn the skills to run a whole kitchen, and dishwashers can be trained to become chefs. Highly competent servers have the opportunity to advance to floor managers.

All you must know is which employment prospects are most likely to be available to those with a criminal history. Companies such as Starbucks, for example, consider hiring felons on an individual basis. Others won’t, such as McDonald’s. Regardless of their criminal past, a lot of eateries employ people for their kitchens.

The pay scale in the food service sector varies based on your position. For example, the hourly average salary for chefs is $15.21, whereas the hourly average salary for waiters is $13.95.

3. Technology

Professional workers are in great demand in the Technology industry. Numerous employers would view you favorably if you could acquire in-demand abilities like development, web design, programming, and more.

Companies are frequently less stringent when it comes to background checks because such skills are so highly sought after. This obviously relies on the particular needs and values of an organization.

The best thing about technical abilities is that you may learn them without returning to school. Online certification programs are available for free, and they teach a variety of high-value skills. A functional computer along with connectivity to the Internet are all you need.

You can have a successful career working with technology. For instance, the median hourly pay for web developers is $37.12.

4. Construction

Consider a career in construction if you don’t envision yourself acquiring technical skills or spending all day in front of a screen. There are different types of jobs you can get with a criminal record. There’s a growing list of jobs you can get with a misdemeanor, thanks to companies adopting more inclusive hiring practices.

You will often need to complete some training in order to work in construction. However, much of the training can be acquired on the job. Depending on the kind of work, different levels of training are needed. For example, plastering requires far more training than roofing.

The following are a few examples of professions in construction:

• Carpenter
• Painter
• Roofer
• Brick mason

When you are employed in construction, your pay will vary according to what role you perform. For instance, roofers earn a typical wage of $43,580 a year, whereas carpenters receive a median compensation of $49,520.

5. Administrative jobs

A lot of individuals with a criminal past may find employment as a remote assistant or as a secretary in an office.

It varies from case to case which employers will hire someone with a criminal past. For instance, Google pledges to treat persons with criminal histories equally and has done so by signing the Take the Fair Chance Pledge. A job in this field might be right for you if you’re a quick learner and at ease using a computer.

The hourly median pay for administrative assistants is $19.71.

6. Working from home or being self-employed

Would you like command over your professional life? You are exempt from passing a criminal background screening if you are your own employer. Since you’re an entrepreneur and not a salaried worker, your criminal record shouldn’t be an issue, but you will still need to put in extra effort to attract clients.

The working hours and routine of self-employed individuals are likewise under their discretion. For numerous individuals having a criminal record, this kind of liberty and accountability is an excellent choice, even though it’s not suitable for everyone. It’s essential for society to understand the value of providing jobs for people with criminal records because employment contribute to their success in society. The search for jobs you can get with a misdemeanor might require additional effort and persistence.

A criminal record check is not always necessary when hiring someone who works from home. You may obtain the same perks as a full-time job minus having to travel to an office when you operate from home.

Here are a few examples of work-from-home and self-employment jobs:

• Data entry
• Transcriber
• Virtual Assistant
• Bookkeeper
• Freelance writer
• User or product testing

A lot of these opportunities are entry-level jobs, which is ideal for someone seeking a new beginning.

Four suggestions for getting hired despite a criminal history

Do you have trouble finding employment? Here are four strategies to improve your hiring prospects in the event that you have a criminal record.

1. Be aware of the background check criteria used by potential employers

You possess a criminal past, and many employers run background checks. It is pointless to deny this reality. However, being aware of the requirements the business is seeking in a criminal record screening is helpful when you apply. Securing jobs you can get with a misdemeanor is an essential step for rebuilding your life.

Several businesses, for example, reflect on the previous seven years. Others validate the previous ten years, going one step further.

You can anticipate what will be discovered during a company’s check if you know what the businesses look for. This is useful for getting ready.

2. Purge your record of offenses

Your criminal history isn’t something you have to deal with permanently. You may be able to have your record erased after a specific period of time if you have changed your conduct since your arrest.

Your record type will determine the length of the waiting time. The state in which you were found guilty also affects it.

Remember that it costs money to get your record erased. You must:

• Find and hire legal counsel
• Pay the court costs.
• Cover the filing costs

However, enduring this procedure is usually worth the financial outlay. Recall that having a criminal history can decrease your earning potential by up to 52% in the event of jail.

Launching a side business could be a good idea if you’re having trouble saving money to get an expungement. A spotless criminal record is not necessary for many side gig opportunities.

3. Give an honest account of your past

Don’t try to conceal your background when you look for jobs. It is useless to attempt to conceal the existence of your past if the company runs a background investigation.

Companies investigate applicants for jobs not only for past criminal activity but also for integrity. Take a moment to talk about your past if you advance to the interview phase. Put yourself out there and share your plans for overcoming your previous mistakes.

Your sincerity will be much valued by many employers. During the interview, they will also get an opportunity to assess your other abilities and personal qualities.

4. Submit your application in person to speak with a prospective employer

Applying for employment in person is another opportunity for potential employers to assess your character. Having an in-person interview can help you establish rapport with management and initiate a discussion regarding your candidature.

If you reside in a state where employment agencies are permitted to verify your background before making an employment offer, this is your chance to talk about your past. Speaking with someone face-to-face transforms you from a name on a document into an individual who is sincerely attempting to be truthful.

Regardless of your background, get employed

It is indisputable that having a criminal record makes it harder for someone to find work. It’s not insurmountable, though. Reaching your life objectives and landing a steady employment is achievable with a little perseverance, hard work, and knowing where to seek.