I have done everything I can to help my boyfriend find work. I have submitted about 50 applications/resumes and we have not had any success. He has no license, but can obtain one after paying off some tickets. He is a skilled mechanic (self-taught) but lacks the certifications necessary along with the license required for jobs in this field. I want to help, but there is only so much I can do. We have one car and we are both stressed. I am about to lose my house and I need his help to bring more income in the house before the bank finally decides to foreclose on my house.
Today he said “All I want is a normal life”. He feels like he is at the end of the rope with no where to turn. It’s normal to be able to get up and go to work. It’s normal to be able to drive yourself around and not have to wait on someone else. Everything is a catch 22- no license- no transportation- no job – no money it’s an endless cycle. He has a good heart but hung with the wrong crowd when he was younger and was influenced to make bad decisions. He was convicted of Robbery as a youth in 1996 and served 75 months. He is now 32 years old and still paying for the choices he made. While I understand that you past will follow you please advise- How can we overcome this barrier?
I have been working a temp assignment which is scheduled to end on 12/31. I have been on interviews and I receive call backs with potential job leads and he gets call backs but when he discusses his criminal past the opportunity goes out the door. Please share with me your wisdom and guidance as I try to provide hope to a lost soul.
I will take any advice that you are willing to provide.
Sincerely,
Charissa
Lady wants to help herself and her felon boyfriend
A: Hello Charissa,
My first suggestion to your boyfriend is to try looking at independent shops. He could also try auto shops like Munro or Wal-mart if he doesn’t mind changing oil or tires as a start until he can find something better. Wal-mart has proven to be felon friendly and I have students working at several locations.
Check out this page. It has a huge list of companies that hire felons. You can also search for jobs near you. You can find this page here: Jobs for Felons
Some services available are:
Career planning and counseling
Workshops (Resume Writing, Interviewing Skills, and related topics.)
Computers with internet access and word processing
Daily access to thousands of job listings
Job-related magazines and local newspapers
Job postings and referrals
Printers, fax machines, phones, and copiers for job search use
Each center has trained counselors that provide one-on-one assistance. Many of them have experience assisting ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs. You can find the One-stop Career Center nearest you at:
There also may be other services available to job seekers such as free bus passes to job seekers. I also suggest that your boyfriend pick up the yellow pages and making a list of all the garages in your area. He can call each one to inquire about open positions. Because he has training but not much experience, he may have to start as a mechanic’s helper. Usually smaller independent companies will offer a better chance to an ex-offender or felon.
I hope this helps.
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