Appendix, Connections 2008 and The Job Search (NYPL)

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Correctional Library Services > Connections 2008 > The Job Search > Appendix

APPENDIX

The following passages are excerpts from the Offender Re-Entry Guide,* from Offender Employment Services (formerly Corrections Clearinghouse), a project of the Washington State Employment Security Department. The suggestions from the Guide, reprinted here, may be applied to filling out application forms and writing resumes.

Disclosing a Felony Conviction
It is particularly important for offenders to be truthful in filling out applications. However, the truth must be told in a way for the offender to get screened-in and invited to a face-to-face interview.

Question
"Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" Yes No
If yes, it is recommended that the offender fill out the question as follows:

Have you ever been convicted of a felony? X Yes No
If yes, please explain: Will explain at interview. I can be bonded.

Below are some compelling reasons to answer the question in
this way.

It allows you to be honest, yet protects your privacy by controlling who knows about the specific conviction.
Stating that the felony is not job related and that the applicant is bondable may help calm the employer's fears and perhaps even pique the employer's curiosity enough to call you in for an interview.
Many Community Supervision Officers will tell an employer whether you have a felony or not.
If an employer is going to find out, it is better to hear it from you.
You control the flow of information – how it's worded, how it's presented.
Once hired, you don't have to be constantly looking over your shoulder, afraid that someone will find out.
Most employers do background checks.
In the interview, you can talk about how productive you were in prison.

Below is a list of other options for answering this question and probable consequences.
Check "YES" and write the conviction. The candidate would likely be screened out and would lose any privacy because anyone in the office who saw the application would know about the conviction.

Leave the question blank and/or put N/A. The application would appear incomplete and it would appear that the applicant is hiding something. When disclosing the felony at the interview, it would be awkward to explain why the questions are not filled in truthfully.

CHECK "NO" and lie. This appears to be the easiest route for many offenders and may help you get a job for the short term, but the longer-term consequences include:

Not being hired because the lie was found out.
Being fired as soon as the background check comes back.
Carrying around emotional baggage wondering when you will be found out.
Reinforcing stereotypes.
Prosecution – especially if you applied for a federal job.

Most employers do background checks before employees are promoted. So if an offender lied on the application, stayed with the company for a few years, became eligible for promotion, and the lie was exposed, the offender could:

Lose a good job.
Lose a good reference.
Lose financial stability.
Lose self-esteem.

Question:
What should I write if the question about conviction asks me to "explain"? Always write "will explain at interview." This will keep everyone who may view your application from knowing your
personal business.

Question:
How do I cover time in prison on the "Work Experience" portion of the application? List only 2 or 3 of the jobs that may be in line with your future employment goals. If you did any work during your incarceration (i.e., janitor, cook, clerk, and/or firefighter) submit the jobs in which you gained significant hands-on experience. Describe jobs that reflect skills gained, abilities developed, and accomplishments earned.

Example: If you worked both in the kitchen and as a janitor while incarcerated, you would indicate both jobs for your incarceration period and list only the year for dates of employment even though you may have moved from facility to facility and from job to job.

Question:
How do I complete the "business name"?
Use the abbreviated name of jail or correctional facility.

Example: If you worked as a janitor, cook, painter, etc., you worked for the abbreviation of the Jail or Correctional Facility. Chelan County Regional Justice Center=Chelan Co. RJC; Washington Corrections Center=Washington CC.

Question:
How about completing the "salary" portion of Job Experience?
You should complete wage or salary by stating "stipend" on your application.

Example: Salary Stipend hourly N/A. See the example that follows.
At the time of your interview you will be prepared to discuss your incarceration.

Question:
What about completing the "address" portion of Job History?
Do not use P.O. Boxes. Use only the city and state as the address, or only the street address of the institution. The reason is that some people associate "P.O. Boxes" with prison in certain towns.

Question:
How to complete the "reason for leaving" portion of Work Experience? Correct responses can be "Relocated," "Contract ended," "Transferred," or "Pursued other opportunities."

What follows is an example of a Work Experience response. Please note the reason for completing the "Work Experience" portion this way is to get your application past whoever may be screening applications for interviews. It is vital that your "Work Experience" is complete, yet, don't advertise your incarceration. That information is only between you and the interviewer, not
anyone who may see your application.

Example: WORK EXPERIENCE SECTION
Name: Twin River CC or County RJC
Address: Monroe, Washington
Supervisor: N/A
Dates: From June 1, 1988 to June 30, 1989
Position: Cook
Rate of Pay: Stipend per N/A
Reason for Leaving: Relocated