Hello, I have been living under 290 for just over a year now. I was convicted of a misdemeanor 311.11.a last year. I did what time they sentenced me too. I have been paying all my fines. I have been doting every I and crossing every T. I always call my local PD for any questions. I am still working my old job for now. There has been a lot of talk of letting me go. It will happen sooner or later. I am going to school. I’m trying to better myself to be able to get another job when I lose this one. The field I currently work in requires background checks for everything. I have already been turned down once. I’m trying to find a field that I can get in to where I can apply my vast technical knowledge. It’s very nerveasy wracking. Everywhere I tern it’s background check this and background check that. I don’t know what to do. I’m lucky my girlfriend and family and friends have all stuck by me this whole time. I owe them alot. Does anyone out there have any advice for me? Please help. I know this page is for stories but I didn’t know what else to do. Thank you all for reading.
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Look into working for the state. There are plenty of state positions that don’t require any background check, just be selective about which departments you apply to and watch the job postings as they’ll usually tell you if a background check is required. Just don’t lie about any convictions if you’re asked about it during an interview (or on an application but I think they’ve removed that section on the latest applications.)
I can sympathize with you about the difficulty in finding employment. I have only been able to land two positions in my field of expertise since my conviction and release from jail but was let go after just a few days each time once they got around to doing a background check. I’m unemployed as it is right now. I was even thinking about trying to get a dishwashing job – even though I am college educated with a degree and a very specialized skill set – and was shocked to learn that the dishwashing job for which I was going to apply required [assing a criminal background check – for WASHING DISHES!
Some registered citizens have asked how I was able to find and maintain the position I have now. My answer has always been to let your work experience speak for itself. Apply for positions that require a résumé and not some generic, fill in the blank worksheet. Private sectors are usually better to achieve than public.
It’s good that you’re back in school and that is a major step on your journey to professional success. In my situation, I returned to graduate school and was awarded academic grants (since I wasn’t working) and some school loans. That will at least help you pay some living expenses. You are not barred from applying for financial aide (only those with drug convictions are barred).
While you’re in school, be sure to seek out volunteer programs through your major department. Most will be on campus and some may be off. Assuming you’re on probation, they will allow it if it’s part of your academic program. You may even find a paid part-time position on campus. These will add more experience on your resume.
Take your time in school. Don’t rush through it. My MA degree program was two years but I did it in three. I was also able to land a part-time position while I was studying and once I graduated, I was given a salary and promotion. I’ve been at my employment for 4 years now. I do plan on moving on to a more advanced position within my current field as I pursue my Ph.D.
Bottom line…education is a major component to success. The more distance you put from the offense, the better for you as you rebuild your work experience and résumé. One person mentioned that registered citizens are barred from college/universities campuses. FALSE. You do have to register each school year with campus police, but they will leave you alone. (They’re too busy handing out traffic and parking tickets.)
I wish you the best of luck. You WILL find success again. Just don’t quit and don’t let anyone say you can’t.
just wanted to say thanks for replying to my post. everyone input helped.
I work for myself and it is the best thing ever. No background checks. If a customer finds out and has a problem, maybe I lose a customer, but not a career. There are unique skill sets required, but if you have the personality, the willingness to learn, and some service you can offer the community/world, then you can do it.
I’m begunning my own business as well. With 18 yes experience working with the greater population. I am quite a good therapeutic trainer. If any of you in the south bay could use my help with corrective excerises this what I do. I hope this is OK to post
Have fun fighting this losing battle. We were taught when the enemy overwelmed us.congress is the enemy, no beating them. Wake up and face your destiny. They got AKs and we got 22s.
patience
September 27, 2015 at 9:57 am
Have fun fighting this losing battle. We were taught when the enemy overwelmed us.congress is the enemy, no beating them. Wake up and face your destiny. They got AKs and we got 22s.
This is what I have written about before, there are so many like this one above, but for the brave the fight will go on, giving up is not in the blood of the true winners. Funny I was taught when you are over whelmed you fight harder.
I feel your pain! I have a doctorate degree that I cannot use anymore. When I got out of prison in 2009 I went back to school and became a certified Paralegal, wanting to help 290’s. I had a job in a lawyers office, I loved it. There was another job that came open at another place of employment, I filled out the application and answered yes to THE QUESTION! and I got hired doing Paralegal work in the real estate field. After 4 months they decided to do a background check and they abruptly walked me off the premises. I cannot find anything now, I could not even get a job at Wal-Mart. I can’t get a job cleaning toilets. I know your frustration! I never give up so you keep going forward!
Keep your nose clean then file a 1203.4 dismissal after probation and I mean immediately. That was you can legally answer on most applications you have no conviction yes the criminal case file still exists but you know what? It says dismissed per 1203.4 yes you still have to register but at some point you probly wont the way Janice bellucci is going and by the way there are over 700,000 registered sex offenders in the USA that would be a force to be recond with if everybody would banned together and started financing attorneys fighting ex post facto laws that directly violate states and federal constitutions the only reason they are getting away with it is because nobody has challenged them. I have worked a large variety of jobs since my conviction in 2001 local truckdriving , belly dumps transfers had several independent contractor jobs (look for those) chemical applicator for lawns and yeah I would have went other routes if it wasent for the charge but you know what? Were just pilgrims in this life were on a journey this party is not the destination and on any journey there are twists and turns I had never anticipated or expected.