Ex-offenders and Felons must use Resumes to get Jobs
Starting a New Life: Resume for Ex-Offenders and Felons
I have been helping ex-offenders and felons get jobs for many years. I will not send any of my students on a job search without a resume. In fact, anyone who is looking for a job is at a terrible disadvantage without one.
For the sake of those that don’t have one, lets briefly describe what a resume is and how it can help ex-offenders and felons on the job search.
A resume is basically a one page sheet that tells an employer about an applicant’s skills, training and experience. In short, a resume should make the employer want to know more about you. There are many different ways to write a resume but we will focus on a resume in its simplest form.
A well prepared resume will contain certain elements:
Contact Information
Name (no nicknames)
Address
Telephone number (or message number)
e-mail address (if you have one)
Objective
Briefly state what you hope to accomplish with the resume.
Work Experience
The general rule is, “List your three most recent jobs, or the last ten years, whichever comes first.” Include jobs held while you were incarcerated. List them in order with your most recent job listed first. If you have military experience, list it in this section. You will need the title of position, name of organization, location of work (town, state), dates of employment. Describe your work responsibilities and specific skills used.
Education and Training
If you are a college graduate, list the name of the institution, city, state, and degree earned. Do not list high school if you are a college graduate. If you have a GED, list the name of the school where it was earned. Include any classes taken or certifications.
Skills and Strengths
List your outstanding strengths and skills.
References
References are only provided upon request
Take a look at the sample resume below
Craig J. Martin
321 NORTH DRIVE • HOUSTON, TX 77058 •Phone (281) 555-6402
CJMartin@Hotmail.com
OBJECTIVE: To obtain a position within a company that will benefit from my initiative, excellent interpersonal and organizational skills
EXPERIENCE
9/03-11/05 Bordertown C.F Bordertown, TX
Maintenance Porter
Responsible for the cleaning of common areas
6/01-7/02 Lone Star Linen Supply Austin, TX
Line person
Prepared linen for laundering
2/00-6/01 Food Fight Supermarket Hillside, TX
Deli person
Prepared deli items
Provided customer service
Maintained service area
5/97-2/00 Value Haven Department Store Chico, TX
Stock Person
Prepared merchandise for sale
Maintained stockroom
8/95-5/97 McDonalds Fort Hancock, TX
Cashier
Performed cashier duties
Served as counterperson
EDUCATION
Graduate Equivalency Diploma
Bordertown C.F. Bordertown, TX
Building Trades Certificate
Bordertown C.F. Bordertown, TX
STRENGTHS
Hard-Working
Punctual
Organized
Reliable
Honest
REFERENCES Available upon Request
Notice that Craig had a job while he was incarcerated and they are on the resume. His job was at the Bordertown Correctional Facility. He listed it without pointing out that it was a prison job by using “Bordertown C.F”
Some things to bear in mind when building your resume,
Make it easy to read and understand (many employers may spend less than a minute reviewing a resume)
Use high quality white or ivory paper
Have someone else proofread for grammatical and spelling errors
Organize information so that it is easy to read
List work experiences, skills, education and training
Include job related words or honors
Make sure all information is accurate
Do not list personal information such as age, sex, religion or marital status
Do not put references on the resume
This sample is only a suggestion. As I stated above, there are many different ways to put a resume together. I strongly suggest that you get help from someone who has experience writing resumes.
Frequent readers here know that I suggest ex-offenders and felons get help with resumes and other job search resources at the local One-stop Career Center.
You can find your local One-stop Career Center here:
www.servicelocator.org
Ex-offenders and Felons must use Resumes to get Jobs
Having a well written resume is one thing that can help felons and ex-offenders compete for jobs.
Jobs for Felons: Help for ex-offenders and felons who need resumes
Jobs for Ex-offenders and Felons : Sending Resumes and Cover letters
Jobs for felons: How to Write a Great Resume
Are you an ex-offender or felon who has a question about finding a job with a criminal record? 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. The right information could help ex-offenders and felons get jobs. You could have your question answered right here. Email your question to: BelievePublications@comcast.net.
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