Dear Sir, I am writing to say thank you and bless you for your article. I am not a convicted felon, but I am a business owner who believes in second chances. One of my best employees ever was a person who had made a lot of mistakes in their life, but was 
willing to work very hard to turn their life around when given the chance. Please continue to spread your message as far and wide as possible. Where there’s hope, there’s life.
This was a response to a blog post I wrote years ago, a post that today still gets hits and comments. Unfortunately most of the comments are from convicted felons who are desperately seeking employment only to find doors slammed in their faces. They find themselves, many times, in hopeless situations and revert to becoming a victim vs. a victor.
Who Better than a Convicted Felon?
I was recently doing a presentation at Southern New Hampshire University and a program participant came up to me following. She shared, “It never occurred to me that a convicted felon might be my solution to our hiring problem. We run a large construction firm and, with the economy booming, I can’t find worker who will stick with me. What you said about hiring a convicted felon makes all the sense in the world.”
Makes all the sense in the world, well that it does. “Think about it,” I shared with the group, “who better to hire than a convicted felon. A convicted felon will not say to you – ‘I’ll give it a try.’ A convicted felon needs a second chance – an opportunity to regain their sense of identity and value. They can’t afford to ‘give it a try,’ rather they have to make it succeed otherwise they will likely not get another opportunity!”
Message to Convicted Felons
Get your head out of your ass. You are not a victim! Excluding the rare few who are wrongly convicted. You (as did I – since I am a convicted felon) made choices that earned you that designation. You are not a victim unless you choose to be. If you think you’re entitled to something – you’re not. If you think it wasn’t your fault – it was. If you think that society owes you something since you did your time – society doesn’t. It’s up to you to become a victor! That’s right you and you alone – no one owes you nothing. So when an employer takes a chance on you – be the best employee they have ever had. Show up early stay late and don’t expect anything in return. As you give you get, but it’s about giving first. Give so much that you become invaluable to your employer. Then you create for yourself the status of becoming a victor.
I am a convicted felon. I am a vice-president in a public company. That did not come easy. It has taken almost two decades, but it can be done. Do not buy into those who tell you it can’t because it can and I know many who have great success despite their convicted felon status. You may have made a mistake, but YOU ARE NOT A MISTAKE. Never forget that.
Message to Employers
Quit worrying about HR, Compliance and Risk. Use your God given common sense and recognize the incredible loyality and commitment to their job that a convicted felon brings to your organization. The right hire will show up for work every day. They will work hard and make every effort to be better than their employee competitors. They will do what you ask. They know that being given a second chance is “gold” since it’s an outstretched hand of trust – something they need desperately. Treat them with respect. And remember people respect what you inspect…so don’t worry about inspecting what they do. Expect discipline. Be firm. Be kind. Know that the convicted felon will respect you for the opportunity and do his/her best in earning your trust since you gave them a second chance.
Where from here…?
If this is like my first blog on the subject – I suspect I will get a number of comments. Let me help you – if you complain about not getting a job from your application to a big box store – don’t waste your breath. Use your good God given common sense. There are some companies – in fact many large companies – that will never hire you. Why apply. Rather think! Think about all the small businesses that are desperate for employees that will work and who, likely have had a family member in jail. Giving you a job is a way to honor their loved one who made a mistake. Apply for jobs with them and be honest in the interview. DO NOT let them find out about your felony conviction from a background check. Tell them in the interview in the first 5 minutes. If that’s a non starter with them, then thank them for their time and move on.
Lastly, if you need advice feel free to reach out to me. I’ll talk to you and help if I can. Remember your past history does not create your destiny. You create your destiny by the choices you make today. Make them wisely!
YOUR COMMENTS ARE WELCOME!
