A: Being released doesn't mean "pass go," does it, Penned? But you're thinking correctly. Drop your hands from those imaginary steel bars. Convert your background to an asset. Nope, don't go back into crime. Use it to improve your chances rather than weaken them. Don't hide it.
Do your homework. What kinds of legit organizations have customers who are offenders or ex-offenders? Hop onto Google. Enter magic words like ex-offender, company and employment. Dig. Go to the periodicals section of your public library. Scout directories and microfiche for newspaper and magazine articles that don't appear online. Ask librarians for help. Stop off at the government desk if you feel you've missed something.
Then connect with individuals no longer imprisoned by their past and focus groups for ex- offenders. They'll know who's making it where. -- mlc
Q. PAPER CHASE I knew that my decision to come back to the city two years ago to help with family was also a decision to virtually end my career as a tenured college/university professor (theology). I've explored all kinds of alternatives -- high school teaching, administration, even dog grooming at $7 per hour and entertaining the elderly at a nursing home. It seems that I cannot get past the paper stage no matter what kind of cover letter I write. -- Thea
A. Up your I.Q., Thea! Retire that gorgeous c.v. It's an obituary! Define one or more industries and skills that transfer. Develop a resume that looks ahead. Use non-academic words. Think less about content and more about skills. You write beautifully. You manage unrelated projects. You train.
What about corporate communications in a values-oriented company? What about project coordination or management? How about human resources? Or sales?
Go to alumni association meetings. Research professional associations where the type of employer you seek congregates. Network, network and network. Volunteer for the membership committee. Develop a list of companies where you'd like to interview. Look at growing industries, such as products and services for the elderly. Make appointments even where there aren't openings. (There may be later.) Ask everyone you meet for names of three people (not jobs) to contact. Keep meeting, sending thank-you notes and following up. Learn how to close. -- mlc
**blogTip**
Do the unexpected. Surprise your next interviewer by not looking like everyone else. One HR director complained about all of the dirty, almost crotchless denim at his company, according to Judith Rasband of the Conselle Institute of Image Management (www.conselle.com). "He announced that he'd hire the next skirt that walked into his office -- and did," Rasband says.
Are you just not a shirt-and-tie guy? "You can't get away with a hooded sweatshirt," Rasband advises, "but you might try a mock-turtleneck. It counts as a collar, but just barely."
"Don't push the limits of acceptable workplace attire to new lows," she advises. Flip-flops might work if you want to be a lifeguard. Overalls might work down on the farm -- unless the person who interviews you is wearing a shirt and tie. What's a real job worth to you? A collar? A skirt?
Don't wait for Halloween to party. Invite your friends to wear their favorite interviewing outfit. Give a prize for the most outrageous outfit.
(E-mail your job-hunting questions to syndicated columnist Dr. Mildred Culp at culp@workwise.net. Copyright 2004 Passage Media.)
