Felon wants job as a mechanic

Q: I am a 25-year old graduate student and I am currently engaged to a good man who helps me take care of my daughter. However, times are really hard for us right now, as my fiance is 31-years old and has been out of work for 2 years. In 2007, he please guilty to Conspiracy to commit robbery OR carjacking (which is how it is listed on his record). This actual even happened in 2003. Since then, he secured one job in 2007, and lost it in 2009 when the store went out of business. In addition, he went to Lincoln Tech Institute and obtained a certificate for Diesel Technology and Technician. Next, he went and got his forklift license.


He has submitted over 200 hundred applications in the past year and he has still not gotten a job. He even walks into companies wearing a suit and tie just to fill out applications, hoping that this will help increase his chances at securing a job. Every time it seems his chances are looking good in the interviews, he either tells about his conviction, or the companies conduct a background check, and he does not get a call back after that. We have been to the One Stop Career Center seeking help, and the most they gave him was a list of employers who have hired ex-felons in the PAST. We have been to church organizations and have contacted Trenton, and still he has not received any help.


He would like to drive trucks, fix on them, or get a forklift job, but we just don't know what to do anymore. I'm trying not to give up on this man, but it's becoming so overwhelming. Please help us!

Karen


A: Hello Karen,

Firstly, your fiance may have to get a Commercial Drivers License if he wants to drive trucks. If he attended Lincoln Tech, there are placement services there that assist graduates. If that doesn't work, I suggest grabbing the yellow pages and making a list of all the garages in your area that service diesel engines. 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. A third option would me to contact trucking companies in your area to see if they service their own trucks. He could apply as a mechanic's helper at those places. Usually smaller independent companies will offer a better chance to ex-offenders and felons.

Ex-offenders and felons looking for jobs must understand that they may not get what they want right away. A little out-of -the-box thinking and lots of hard work will pay off.

I hope this helps.

I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for over ten years and I feel I have an understanding of what works. I will be updating this blog often. I will answer specific questions relating to getting a job with a criminal record on this blog so feel free to send me your questions. You can send email me at adogzheart2@gmail.com

If you are really serious about getting a job with a criminal record or helping someone you care about get a job, check out this link: From Jail to a Job

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