--- Employment ---
EMPLOYMENT: There are certain parameters which must never be violated:
Helpful Hints
Very interesting web site discussing self-employment as an employment alternative.
CLICK
|
The Job Application: complete it truthfully always. Read questions carefully and answer them precisely, adding no more information than you were asked for in the question. If application asks whether you have been convicted of a felony in the past 5-years, list those you were convicted of within the past 5 years. If it asks wehther you have ever been convicted of a felony, then you will answer it differently. Read questions carefully, and answer the question truthfully. Then, if they don't have an opening ask them if they know where you might apply.
The following applies to giving prospective employers, employment agencies, head hunters, and anyone asking for money UP FRONT, and asking for your personal information BEFORE the interview:
For those of you that use the Internet to look for jobs, a recent Scam Alert was posted titled "2-28-03: Bogus Job Listing a Front for Identity Theft." If you think that someone would never want your Identity because of being an offender, think again. Many of those that steal ID's do so simply to bleed them for everything they can get from the ID. Another words, use the ID to buy things and have them sent to bogus addresses (and pick up the products then leave), and other fraudlent scams. These are most difficult for anyone to clear up especially one who already has a criminal record.
So beware when applying for a job either on the Internet or even by phone! Heed the warning given by the Human Resource manager in the article, DO NOT give out social security numbers, dates of birth, driver's license number, etc. until the interview where you can confirm the that the business is legit!
If you feel something is a scam you can check the major scams by going to this web site: Identify Theft Resource Center, or you can check with the Better Business Bureau site.. So check before giving out personal information or money! There is one more place you can check: Scams and Schemes in Work and Employment Services. It may be worth your time to check beforehand!
The Kind/Type of Job: As a registered ex-offender, DO NOT even apply for jobs which would place you in the proximity of children. i.e. schools, day care centers, youth programs, or even Bible study teaching. Think about what you wish to apply for and chose carefully. There are many jobs that can still be applied for, think of office type work, factory work, sales positions (vehicle, real estate, etc.).
Source of Job Prospects: One of the best is, online where you can review the job description to see if you fit their parameters. i.e. Monster.com and HotJobs.com and Career Builder. Also, you can search through Yahoo for your local employment agencies. Should you seek the help of these folks, it will be wise to give them your circumstances, so they may recommend only appropriate jobs: Clergy, your friends or family, other folks you know, temp agencies, etc. Don't forget the "Want Ads" but don't rely on them ONLY!
The Riley Guide: Employment Opportunities and Job Resources on the Internet! This source even has a link to a company which will check your references for you, so that you know what past employers and friends will say when they receive an inquiry. This is a MUST REVIEW SOURCE.
Offenders should see if your state has a provision such as is mentioned in the following article. It is possible that employers cannot deny you a job, under certain circumstances! Remember, to be denied, in Wisconsin, the conviction must be related to the job you are being considered for.
» 7-29-03 Wisconsin: Bill allowing schools fire felons vetoed! Doyle says measure would go against efforts to rehabilitate convicts.
Legislation allowing Wisconsin schools to fire or refuse to hire unpardoned felons was vetoed Thursday by Gov. Jim Doyle. Doyle said the bill would "subvert the state's ongoing efforts to promote greater public safety by rehabilitating individuals convicted of a felony." The state's fair Employment Act prohibits discrimination based on conviction records but says an employer can refuse to hire a felon if that individual's offense is "substantially related" to a particular job.
Doyle said if a person is a child molester, current law gives school officials the right to deny them employment. "If a person's conviction is unrelated to employment, the mere fact that a person has been convicted of a felony at some point in his or her life should not necessarily disqualify them from employment," the governor said in a statement. ... (by Dennis Chaptman, JSOnline.com)
Copyright ©2003 LAMP.
"There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one striking at the root."
- Henry David Thoreau -
|