How to get a job if you have a felony, misdemeanor, or other criminal record

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[00:01:29] Okay, so you've given us quite the stack of articles about finding jobs with a criminal record,

[00:01:35] especially for, like, recent grads and students.

[00:01:38] Yeah.

[00:01:39] It's a big topic.

[00:01:40] It is.

[00:01:40] And I get the sense that this is something you're dealing with personally or know someone who is.

[00:01:45] Yeah, definitely.

[00:01:46] It's something that I've seen firsthand, you know.

[00:01:49] Yeah.

[00:01:50] It's tough enough trying to launch a career, but when you add a record into the mix,

[00:01:54] it's a whole other level of challenges.

[00:01:56] It feels insurmountable, I bet.

[00:01:58] It can.

[00:01:59] The stigma is real.

[00:02:01] And it's way more common than people realize.

[00:02:04] These articles, they really show you how widespread this issue actually is.

[00:02:08] That was actually my first question.

[00:02:10] Like, just how doubly common are we talking?

[00:02:13] Because I think for most people, it's so far out of their realm of experience that they don't really get how big of a deal it is.

[00:02:19] And one of the first things I saw in this stack, a Brookings Institution study, this blew my mind a little bit, honestly.

[00:02:27] Really?

[00:02:28] By the age of 23, almost one in three Americans has been arrested.

[00:02:34] Yeah.

[00:02:34] Let that sink in for a second.

[00:02:36] Wow.

[00:02:36] Not even convictions.

[00:02:38] Arrests.

[00:02:38] It's a staggering statistic, isn't it?

[00:02:40] It is.

[00:02:41] I mean, that's a huge chunk of the population right there.

[00:02:44] And it gets, frankly, even more concerning when you start to look at specific demographics.

[00:02:49] Right.

[00:02:49] Because we're not talking about an even distribution here across.

[00:02:52] Absolutely not.

[00:02:53] Across society.

[00:02:54] Young men of color, especially those without a college degree, they're disproportionately represented in those numbers.

[00:03:01] Yeah.

[00:03:02] Think about that.

[00:03:02] By their late 20s, almost 20% already have some kind of conviction on their record.

[00:03:07] Wow.

[00:03:07] Wow.

[00:03:08] So we're not talking about a small segment of the population here.

[00:03:11] This is a significant portion of our potential workforce.

[00:03:15] Exactly.

[00:03:15] Facing this massive hurdle right out of the gate.

[00:03:18] Right from the start.

[00:03:19] One of the articles, they cite a study from SUNY.

[00:03:24] They found that 4% of their applicants had felony convictions.

[00:03:29] Wow.

[00:03:29] Now, if you even just try to extrapolate that to a national level.

[00:03:32] It's huge.

[00:03:33] We could be talking about hundreds of thousands of students hitting this wall every single year.

[00:03:38] So, like, where do you even begin to navigate that?

[00:03:42] Where do you even start if you're in that boat?

[00:03:44] Right.

[00:03:44] It can feel incredibly overwhelming, but knowledge is power.

[00:03:48] Knowing your rights, that's got to be step one.

[00:03:50] Several of these articles, that's what they stressed right off the bat.

[00:03:53] Okay.

[00:03:53] You got to call your state's Department of Labor.

[00:03:55] That's a must do.

[00:03:56] They can actually help.

[00:03:57] They can.

[00:03:58] They can tell you all about things like pre-employment screening laws, whether you even have to disclose your record in your state, and then some really interesting stuff like expungement.

[00:04:08] Expungement.

[00:04:08] See, that's like, to me, that sounds like the dream scenario.

[00:04:12] Right.

[00:04:12] Like, wipe the slate clean.

[00:04:13] Start fresh.

[00:04:14] How often does that actually work, though?

[00:04:16] It definitely depends on the state you're in, of course.

[00:04:19] Okay.

[00:04:20] And the offense.

[00:04:21] Yeah.

[00:04:21] But honestly, it's probably more common than people think.

[00:04:26] Really?

[00:04:27] Even for some felonies.

[00:04:28] Wow.

[00:04:29] So imagine this.

[00:04:31] You're a young woman, got caught with marijuana a few years back.

[00:04:34] Yeah.

[00:04:35] Now it's legal in your state.

[00:04:36] Right.

[00:04:36] Expungement.

[00:04:37] That can mean legally answering no to that criminal history question.

[00:04:41] Oh, wow.

[00:04:42] Like, it never even happened.

[00:04:43] Okay.

[00:04:43] So that's huge.

[00:04:44] That's a why didn't I know this sooner moment for a lot of people, I bet.

[00:04:49] Absolutely.

[00:04:49] But even with a clean slate, I mean, let's be real.

[00:04:52] Finding a job, it's still a competition.

[00:04:54] Oh, yeah.

[00:04:55] So are there strategies that actually work better for someone with a record, even if it is expunged?

[00:05:03] One of the things that came up a lot in these articles was the idea of, like, targeting.

[00:05:08] Like, think about the traits.

[00:05:09] Okay.

[00:05:10] Electricians, welders, HVAC techs.

[00:05:13] Those are jobs where skills are king.

[00:05:15] Right.

[00:05:15] They've got this huge demand for people who can actually do the work.

[00:05:19] Yeah, yeah.

[00:05:19] So they're often a lot more interested in your abilities than they are in your past.

[00:05:23] It's almost like the more specialized the skill set, the less the past mistakes actually overshadow your present ability.

[00:05:31] Exactly.

[00:05:31] I like that.

[00:05:32] That's encouraging.

[00:05:32] But even in those fields, you eventually get to the interview.

[00:05:35] Yeah.

[00:05:35] So how do you actually address, like, the elephant in the room if it comes up?

[00:05:39] That's the thing you have to be prepared.

[00:05:40] Okay.

[00:05:40] One of the experts quoted in these articles, Jeffrey Korsnick, he suggested having a concise, honest explanation ready to go.

[00:05:48] You know, if they ask, you answer truthfully, but you don't dwell on it.

[00:05:52] Right.

[00:05:52] The key is to showcase how you've grown, how you've addressed whatever the root issues were.

[00:05:57] Okay.

[00:05:58] It's about owning your story, not letting it define you.

[00:06:01] Not hiding from it, but also not, like, oversharing.

[00:06:04] Exactly.

[00:06:05] Like, this happened.

[00:06:06] I learned from it.

[00:06:07] I'm better now.

[00:06:08] Yes.

[00:06:09] Demonstrate that you've learned, you've grown, and you are genuinely excited about this opportunity.

[00:06:14] That makes a lot of sense.

[00:06:15] But even with all that, I mean, it's got to feel pretty daunting to go through all of this alone.

[00:06:20] Are there organizations that actually help people with records, you know, specifically navigate this whole job search process?

[00:06:28] Because if so, that sounds incredibly useful.

[00:06:31] There are, actually.

[00:06:33] You'd be surprised.

[00:06:34] You are definitely not alone in this.

[00:06:35] Okay, good.

[00:06:36] And, in fact, several of these articles, they talk about organizations that are literally designed specifically for this.

[00:06:45] Like, for example, Strive.

[00:06:47] Strive.

[00:06:48] Okay.

[00:06:48] They've got locations all over the country.

[00:06:50] And they do job training.

[00:06:52] They do placement assistance.

[00:06:53] Like, the whole nine yards.

[00:06:54] It's like having a guide to walk you through what can often be a really confusing system.

[00:07:00] Okay.

[00:07:00] That's reassuring, actually, to know there's that support out there.

[00:07:04] But how do you find it?

[00:07:05] Like, how do you even find these organizations?

[00:07:06] Is there, like, a central database?

[00:07:08] Or do you just have to Google, like, crazy?

[00:07:11] That's a great question.

[00:07:11] And the answer is kind of yes.

[00:07:13] Yeah.

[00:07:14] There are resources to help you find the resources.

[00:07:16] Okay.

[00:07:17] Your state's Department of Labor website, that's always a good place to start.

[00:07:20] They'll often have links to reentry programs, to nonprofits, all kinds of support services.

[00:07:25] Plus, you know, don't underestimate just the power of your personal network.

[00:07:29] Right.

[00:07:29] Friends, family, mentors.

[00:07:31] Word of mouth.

[00:07:32] Exactly.

[00:07:32] Let people know you're looking.

[00:07:34] Yeah.

[00:07:34] Because you never know.

[00:07:35] Someone might know someone you know.

[00:07:36] Yeah.

[00:07:37] Yeah.

[00:07:37] Like they say, it takes a village, right?

[00:07:40] Exactly.

[00:07:41] Speaking of kind of, like, a village mentality, some of these articles talked about this shift

[00:07:47] we're seeing in how we even talk about criminal records, like calling for a ban the box approach.

[00:07:52] Yes.

[00:07:53] What is that, first of all?

[00:07:54] And then second of all, is it actually working?

[00:07:57] Yeah.

[00:07:57] Ban the box is really interesting.

[00:07:58] So basically, it's this movement to completely remove that criminal history question from job

[00:08:05] applications altogether.

[00:08:05] The idea is to give applicants a chance to be judged on their qualifications, first and foremost.

[00:08:12] So before they even see the record, they're seeing what you bring to the table.

[00:08:16] Precisely.

[00:08:17] And the really encouraging thing is, it seems to be gaining some real traction.

[00:08:21] Like, a lot of states and cities have adopted some version of this.

[00:08:25] Really?

[00:08:26] Yeah.

[00:08:26] And studies are actually suggesting that it can make a difference.

[00:08:29] That's good to hear, because I feel like sometimes those things are more...

[00:08:33] Symbolic.

[00:08:34] Yeah.

[00:08:34] Like, they make people feel good, but in actuality, it doesn't really change anything.

[00:08:38] So that's...

[00:08:39] No, but there's some actual data behind it.

[00:08:40] For example, one study, they found that ban the box policies.

[00:08:45] They actually increased the employment rate of people with records by, get this, up to

[00:08:50] 1.1 percentage points.

[00:08:52] Now, that might not sound like a ton.

[00:08:53] Well, percentages never sound like a lot until you extrapolate it out to the actual number

[00:08:58] of people.

[00:09:00] Exactly.

[00:09:00] But when you're talking about millions of people potentially impacted...

[00:09:04] Yeah.

[00:09:04] ...those points, those translate into real lives.

[00:09:07] Yeah.

[00:09:07] That's a significant number of people finding work who otherwise...

[00:09:11] Exactly.

[00:09:12] ...might not.

[00:09:13] Okay.

[00:09:13] So it's not just symbolic.

[00:09:15] It's actually making a difference.

[00:09:16] And are there specific companies or even industries that are kind of leading the charge on this

[00:09:23] whole second chances approach?

[00:09:24] There are.

[00:09:25] Yeah.

[00:09:26] And it's really encouraging to see.

[00:09:27] Some companies have literally made it part of their mission to hire people with criminal

[00:09:32] records.

[00:09:32] Wow.

[00:09:33] Okay.

[00:09:33] And we're not just talking small businesses either.

[00:09:36] I mean, there's some big names out there in tech, in manufacturing, even some big retail

[00:09:40] giants.

[00:09:41] And it makes sense when you think about it, right?

[00:09:44] A diverse workforce that includes people with all sorts of life experiences...

[00:09:48] Yeah.

[00:09:49] ...it can be a real asset.

[00:09:50] Yeah.

[00:09:51] Absolutely.

[00:09:52] Plus, there have been studies that show that employees with records, they can be some of the

[00:09:58] most loyal and most motivated employees you'll find.

[00:10:01] Makes sense.

[00:10:01] Like someone took a chance on you, so...

[00:10:03] Exactly.

[00:10:04] ...they want to prove yourself.

[00:10:05] You want to make them proud that they gave you that shot.

[00:10:07] Exactly.

[00:10:08] Okay.

[00:10:08] But even with all this, like, the positive momentum and these organizations, it's still

[00:10:14] got to be a roller coaster, I would imagine, just emotionally.

[00:10:16] Mm-hmm.

[00:10:17] So how did these articles suggest dealing with what I would imagine are some inevitable setbacks?

[00:10:23] Self-care.

[00:10:24] Okay.

[00:10:24] It's easy to forget about, but honestly, job hunting is stressful for anyone.

[00:10:28] Mm-hmm.

[00:10:29] But when you add a record into the mix...

[00:10:30] Yeah.

[00:10:31] ...it's another level.

[00:10:32] Imagine, you know, getting your hopes up for a job.

[00:10:35] Right.

[00:10:36] You think you nailed the interview and then...

[00:10:38] Rejection.

[00:10:38] ...that dreaded email, you know, it's crushing.

[00:10:41] It is.

[00:10:42] So prioritizing your mental health throughout this whole process, that is not a luxury.

[00:10:47] That's essential.

[00:10:47] It's so easy to let those rejections, especially when you already feel like you've got something

[00:10:52] to prove.

[00:10:52] Oh, yeah.

[00:10:53] It just kind of eats away at your confidence.

[00:10:55] So, okay, self-care.

[00:10:56] But, like, what does that actually look like in this context?

[00:10:59] Is it, you know, bubble baths and meditation apps or what?

[00:11:03] Honestly, it's whatever works for you.

[00:11:05] Okay.

[00:11:05] I mean, it could be exercise, spending time in nature, listening to music, connecting with

[00:11:10] loved ones.

[00:11:11] Right, right.

[00:11:12] It's about finding those healthy ways to manage the stress.

[00:11:16] Right.

[00:11:16] And stay positive, especially when those no's start to pile up.

[00:11:20] Because they will.

[00:11:21] They will.

[00:11:22] Statistically speaking.

[00:11:23] It's a numbers game.

[00:11:24] And you just got to power through it.

[00:11:25] Yeah.

[00:11:26] Okay.

[00:11:27] The articles also mentioned something interesting about, like, turning those rejections, those

[00:11:31] no's into learning experiences.

[00:11:34] Yes.

[00:11:35] Which sounds great on paper, but, like, in the moment, how do you actually do that?

[00:11:39] It's all about mindset.

[00:11:41] It's about reframing how you see those rejections.

[00:11:44] Okay.

[00:11:45] So instead of seeing it as this personal failure.

[00:11:47] Right.

[00:11:48] You kind of step back and you ask yourself, okay, what can I learn from this experience?

[00:11:52] Okay.

[00:11:52] Yeah.

[00:11:53] Maybe it's that your resume needs some tweaking.

[00:11:56] Maybe your interviewing skills could use a little bit of work.

[00:11:59] Right.

[00:11:59] Or, hey, maybe it just wasn't the right fit.

[00:12:01] And that's okay.

[00:12:02] Yeah.

[00:12:02] Every no gets you one step closer to a yes.

[00:12:05] I like that.

[00:12:06] It's about persistence and playing the long game, even when it's tough.

[00:12:09] But what if, like, you know, you're doing all the things, but that traditional employment

[00:12:14] route, it's just, it's not happening.

[00:12:16] Well, that's where this other path comes in.

[00:12:18] And several of the articles brought this up, which is entrepreneurship.

[00:12:21] Okay.

[00:12:21] Okay.

[00:12:22] Let's unpack that.

[00:12:23] So entrepreneurship, it's kind of a buzzword these days.

[00:12:26] It is.

[00:12:27] But for someone with a record, what makes it a particularly good fit?

[00:12:31] Because honestly, to me, it almost sounds harder.

[00:12:36] Well, it's definitely not the easier route.

[00:12:38] That's for sure.

[00:12:39] Right.

[00:12:39] But it does offer you a level of control that you just don't get as an employee.

[00:12:44] Right.

[00:12:45] So imagine this.

[00:12:46] You're like a crazy talented carpenter, right?

[00:12:49] Okay.

[00:12:50] Okay.

[00:12:50] But you keep hitting those background check walls.

[00:12:53] Yeah.

[00:12:53] You start your own furniture business.

[00:12:55] Suddenly you're the one doing the hiring.

[00:12:57] Oh, I see.

[00:12:57] Okay.

[00:12:58] Your past doesn't have to be the barrier.

[00:13:00] It can be like fuel for your hustle.

[00:13:03] Oh, I like that.

[00:13:04] Your past is fuel for the hustle.

[00:13:06] Yeah.

[00:13:06] And with like online businesses and stuff, it seems more attainable than ever these days

[00:13:11] to actually be an entrepreneur.

[00:13:12] But these articles weren't all like sunshine and roses about it, were they?

[00:13:17] Right.

[00:13:18] It's not a magic bullet.

[00:13:19] Right.

[00:13:19] They really stressed that even more than usual, you need a rock solid business plan.

[00:13:25] Okay.

[00:13:26] Because think about it.

[00:13:27] You're going to be pitching to investors.

[00:13:30] Yeah.

[00:13:31] Not just as a new business owner, but as one with your particular history.

[00:13:34] Right.

[00:13:34] That plan has got to be bulletproof.

[00:13:37] Okay.

[00:13:37] It has to show that you're serious, that you've thought through the risks, that you are ready.

[00:13:42] So it's like you have to prove yourself twice over.

[00:13:44] In a way, yeah.

[00:13:45] First as a business owner in general, but then also like overcome that extra skepticism because

[00:13:51] of the past.

[00:13:52] Are there like resources specifically for entrepreneurs with records?

[00:13:59] Because if so, that sounds like a lifeline.

[00:14:02] There are.

[00:14:03] And that's the amazing thing.

[00:14:04] There are micro loan programs specifically designed for this.

[00:14:07] There are business incubators that focus on second chances.

[00:14:11] Wow.

[00:14:11] There are even mentorship networks that can connect you with entrepreneurs who've walked a similar

[00:14:15] path.

[00:14:15] Oh, that's amazing.

[00:14:16] So you're not alone.

[00:14:17] There's like a whole.

[00:14:17] You're not alone.

[00:14:18] Okay.

[00:14:19] Good to know.

[00:14:20] Where would you even begin?

[00:14:21] Is that like, is that a department of labor thing again or?

[00:14:24] Your state's department of labor is always a good starting point.

[00:14:27] Yeah.

[00:14:27] Organizations like the SBA, they can point you in the right direction.

[00:14:30] Okay.

[00:14:31] That is huge to know, knowing that there is that support out there.

[00:14:35] But even with all this, like even if we get all these resources and this help for individuals,

[00:14:40] the system itself kind of needs to change, right?

[00:14:43] I mean, we can talk about individual success stories, but what about like broader reform?

[00:14:47] Yeah.

[00:14:48] You're hitting on such a crucial point.

[00:14:49] And it's something that these articles bring up over and over again.

[00:14:52] It's not enough to just figure out how to navigate the system as it is.

[00:14:57] We have to be pushing for systemic change as well.

[00:14:59] Absolutely.

[00:15:00] One of the things that really struck me was the emphasis on language, like the words we

[00:15:05] use matter.

[00:15:06] Totally.

[00:15:06] Yeah.

[00:15:06] Like we were talking about earlier, person with a record versus felon.

[00:15:10] Exactly.

[00:15:10] Small change, but if you're-

[00:15:11] Huge difference.

[00:15:12] It changes the whole way you think about the person.

[00:15:14] Exactly.

[00:15:15] Were there other examples like that, that these articles highlighted?

[00:15:18] Oh yeah.

[00:15:19] Tons.

[00:15:20] One that came up a lot was shifting from talking about re-entry to talking about returning

[00:15:24] citizens.

[00:15:25] Oh, interesting.

[00:15:26] Again, it's subtle.

[00:15:27] Yeah.

[00:15:27] But it frames people as assets to their communities.

[00:15:31] Yeah.

[00:15:32] Not problems to be solved.

[00:15:34] Right.

[00:15:34] Right.

[00:15:35] And it's not about being politically correct.

[00:15:36] It's about changing the whole narrative around criminal justice.

[00:15:39] Totally.

[00:15:40] Okay.

[00:15:40] So it's about advocating for change in both, like how we talk about these issues and the

[00:15:46] actual policies themselves.

[00:15:48] What were some of the concrete actions that these articles suggested?

[00:15:51] It starts with awareness.

[00:15:53] Yeah.

[00:15:53] Like literally just talking about this stuff.

[00:15:55] With your friends, with your family, sharing these insights.

[00:15:59] Support the organizations that are doing the on-the-ground work.

[00:16:02] Yeah.

[00:16:03] Whether that's through donations or volunteering your time.

[00:16:05] And then most importantly, vote.

[00:16:07] Local elections, district attorneys, these all have a huge impact on criminal justice reform.

[00:16:11] It's like that saying, think globally, act locally.

[00:16:15] Right.

[00:16:15] It all starts.

[00:16:17] Exactly.

[00:16:17] In your own backyard.

[00:16:18] But okay.

[00:16:19] If our listener is feeling like a little overwhelmed by all of this, which is understandable.

[00:16:23] Totally.

[00:16:24] What's the one thing you hope they take away from this whole deep dive?

[00:16:28] Honestly, I hope they take away hope.

[00:16:30] And not in a naive way.

[00:16:31] The challenges are real.

[00:16:32] The system is far from perfect.

[00:16:34] Right.

[00:16:35] But things are changing.

[00:16:37] Okay.

[00:16:37] There are incredibly passionate people out there fighting every day for a more just system.

[00:16:43] Yeah.

[00:16:43] And every single success story, every person who overcomes these barriers, it chips away at that stigma.

[00:16:51] Yeah.

[00:16:51] So it's about holding onto that hope while also being realistic about the work that still needs to be done.

[00:16:57] It's that balance of not getting discouraged but also not pretending like it's not there.

[00:17:02] Yes.

[00:17:03] Yeah.

[00:17:03] Okay.

[00:17:03] That's good because it's easy to get bogged down in the negativity.

[00:17:07] But knowing that there is progress being made.

[00:17:10] Right.

[00:17:11] That people are out there fighting the good fight.

[00:17:13] Yes.

[00:17:14] That's powerful.

[00:17:15] It is.

[00:17:16] And for your listener or anyone else out there facing this challenge, just remember, your past doesn't have to define your future.

[00:17:24] Ooh.

[00:17:26] I like that.

[00:17:27] It's about focusing on your skills, your drive, and building that future one step at a time.

[00:17:32] Beautifully said.

[00:17:33] Could not agree more.

[00:17:34] And remember, you are not alone.

[00:17:37] This deep dive, it barely scratched the surface.

[00:17:39] There are so many resources out there.

[00:17:41] So many.

[00:17:42] Just waiting to help you succeed.

[00:17:43] And don't be afraid to ask for help.

[00:17:45] Exactly.

[00:17:46] Ask for help.

[00:17:47] Use the resources.

[00:17:48] This has been amazing.

[00:17:49] Thank you so much for taking the time to really, like, dive deep on this with us.

[00:17:53] My player.

[00:17:54] Anytime.

[00:17:54] Yeah.

[00:17:55] This is important stuff.

[00:17:56] And listeners, thank you for being here.

[00:17:57] Until next time, keep exploring, keep learning, and keep believing in the power of second chances.

[00:18:06] This has been From Dorms to Desks, job hunting tips for those early in their careers.

[00:18:11] A podcast brought to you by College Recruiter Job Search Site, which believes that every student and recent grad deserves a great career.

[00:18:17] Each episode, we dive into tips, tricks, and insights that will help you land your next part-time, seasonal, internship, or entry-level job.

[00:18:26] Subscribe to this podcast for free now so you don't miss an episode and visit www.collegerecruiter.com to find your next great job.