A few years ago, I spoke with a Police Officer who performed background checks on applicants seeking employment as a cop. He pointed out that persons with "squeaky clean" background results are uniformly selected over those with, for example, speeding tickets. Realistically and similarly, most employers will choose those with no legal infractions/records over those with records, probably most of the time. This same officer called me a few days ago, crying about wanting to get sober, and saying a friend of his told him my speech saved her life and that she’s sober for six years now. But this cop is still not willing to surrender, and all I can do is keep being a loving influence in his life. But back to the employment stuff.
So, what to do? First & foremost, NEVER BELIEVE A PREDICTION THAT DOESN’T EMPOWER YOU. The Chief Psychiatrist at Oak Park Heights Prison told me so many years ago that, “It is a foregone conclusion that Timothy Cameron will spend the rest of his life in prison.” NONSENSE!
Maybe 6 years ago, I had a STELLAR Supervisor at 180 Degrees where I was a Caseworker who taught me to never bring a problem into focus without having a proposed solution conjoined to my concern. GREAT ADVICE! To make this viable, I was forced to THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX that I had created for myself! My Vision of EXCONENTIAL POTENTIAL has not wavered through the years, but I took a spiritually evolutionary turn and ran with Phoenix 490.
As an EX-convict, my personal experiential approach to overcoming obstacles to employment was as follows. I broke it down to 11 Steps:
1 Willingness and Courage to Change my ways (in my case, it started with sobriety).
2 Act respectfully around everyone and behave as if I am already employed by them, so when I ask for a job, they already know I am dependable. This requires Researching their Vision and responding to their needs.
3 Volunteer for a reputable organization (I started volunteering for MADD on many levels through the years, now only as a speaker, thus showing my commitment to making our society safer) and know that over time, society will see your faith expressed by works and be willing to step up and help you.
4 Dress appropriately for each respective job interview. Dress according to their dress code, if they have one, and if they don’t have a code, dress like they do, except slightly more formal.
5 Readily admit my past and show how I have changed, ending every adverse admission with a solution. I have a printout of my criminal history and provide it to them. Be transparent and 100% honest without shooting yourself in the foot. Even though I have a legal right granted me by a court of law to say I have never been convicted of a crime, I tell them anyway. I point out I’m a Speaker and use these speeches to reduce recidivism, so people don’t make the same mistakes I made.
6 ALWAYS think like an employer. Study what the job requires and be able to relate to the Interviewer what skills you have that align with the organization's needs.
7 Research the Interviewer. If you know who will interview you, see if your personality type is a match and "sing their song." If the interviewer has won awards for punctuality/attendance, then focus on your record of attendance and certainly don't be late for the interview (and don't be too early, either).
8 It is CRITICAL to have the means to prove your dependability. References help! Again, Volunteerism is proof of reliability, of going "above and beyond the call of duty." An astute Interviewer will see a volunteer as someone who is self-motivated, who does not require an inordinate amount of supervision. I've never liked it when a supervisor "hovers" over me as I work unless of course, they are training me to do a better job. The Chief of Police in Maplewood said he doesn’t hire recruits who are not volunteering somewhere, and he expects them to stay a Volunteer after hire.
9 Be MOTIVATED. They might ask you what motivates you. Again, what is the company's Vision or Motto? What motivates them? You should find a way to express excitement about their Vision. SPARKLE at the very thought of their Vision. It will come out in your voice, eyes & mannerisms. Your answer here should motivate them!
10 Have a good ATTITUDE. Having a good attitude does not necessarily mean someone who is 'happy go lucky' and cheerful all the time. A positive attitude is most valuable when you don't feel like it. Much like forgiveness, it is the most valuable when there is something NEEDING forgiveness to rise about the problem. Have a story, preferable an arsenal of stories in your memory, of overcoming difficulty and how it paid off.
11 NETWORK! Volunteering has already been addressed, but take it to the next level. If your goal is to be a professional singer, break down that goal into the smallest part possible, then create a stairway to the goal. Apply for employment at a Guitar Center and have a broad vision of why you are there. Learn who the Distributers are, how they conduct business, meet as many people as possible in the industry. I've seen people start at the bottom and end up owning a business. Jump in and never spend a moment thinking about what you don't like!
Here is a video I asked EXCONS on my Caseload to watch.
Now if you’ve gotten this far, I need your help. I ask my Newsletter List and Blog Readers for donations twice per calendar year. I just paid for another year of ZOOM and I need to pay for this website. Any and all donations will be gratefully appreciated. Please make your check to Cameron Communications Consulting LLC. Please mail it to 3446 25th Avenue South. I am working to grow my business and Covid has put a hardship on everyone, but I think we’ll bounce back.