Hello everyone:

I got a job today and I start Thursday morning. I am so excited. The job pays $9.50 an hour no benefits but hey I'm working.

Words cannot express how I feel right now. I praise and thank God for this job because having a felony conviction is a black mark. But God is faithful!

I was honest about the felony conviction and my new supervisor said, "We don't care about what happened, we care about what you are doing now."

I will remain a member of POL so that I may help other's in their search for employment. This is my first job but I plan to move on to better employment in the future.

Ginger

Hey, $9.50 an hour is better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick, girl---------congratulations to you for hanging in there and getting it!! You've made a huge step in the right direction and I applaud you for that. I'm glad you're going to stay with us to encourage other, too. That's very important!

Ha ha ha toi ama you crack me up !! :D

Ginger that's GREAT NEWS !!!! I'm really happy for you, and I really think your supervisor is a wise man/woman !!
What do you mean: "no benefits" ??? This I don't understand. :confused:

Anyway, congrats on the new job, and thanks for being still a part of the family. :)

All my very best wishes
Phil

That's one of our American colloquialisms, I think they're called-----I think called a "homily"------but at any rate, they were liberally used in my "neck of the woods" all my life, so sometimes they pop out. I'm glad I gave you a laugh, Phil. :D

Great news! Sounds like a good place to be working when he/she has that attitude about your past....

Phil--benefits are everything from insurances to vacation/sick accrued etc...

Deb

Congratulations!

YAYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! this brings hope to others!!! GOOD FOR YOU!!!!

kath

Deb thanks for your explanations. Now I understand why Joey asked me about insurance/pensions/vacations etc when I got my new job. In France a salary ALWAYS includes "benefits" no matter how high or low is the salary.

Anyway, it's still better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick !! :D

Phil

Hey everybody:

Thanks for the reply I really appreciate it.

When I got to work this morning my new supervisor told me, she was increaing my pay to $10.00 an hour effective immediately.

I encourage all job seekers with felony convictions to never give up. No matter how many rejections you receive keep going. But most important know that God is your source of life and He will provide for all of your needs.

Ginger

Yay Ginger way to go !!! You got a salary increase on your very first day ?? That's terrific !!! :)

Good luck with your job, and congrats once again !!

Phil

Good for you that you were honest and got a job. Can we ask what it is?

$10.00 an hour really doesn't go that far. After federal,state, local and FICA taxes your left with maybe what $7.00 per hour?

Rent, utilities, car payments, food, insurance, and other bills will eat up that $7.00 per hour net pay before you pay half your bills.

Its not easy once you get that X strike on your record.

But at least your working.

Hello tradewiz50:

Of course you can ask what for. I was hired as a telephone interviewer for The Business Research Center. Our primary contract is with Xerox. We do not telemarket because we do not sell products or services. We do business to business survey's by telephone.

Typically, you are right $10.00 an hour doesn't go that far. However, I am married and my husband has a very good job, so he takes care of the mortgage, car insurance, and I pay for the food and utilities.

I applied for a job as a Key Data Operator with the State Compensation Insurance Fund (worker's comp), and I received a letter this week saying, "Your application has been accepted for the following examination." I told the truth about my felony conviction and they still accepted my application. Now all I have to do is pass the examination and if hired I will start at $12.57 an hour plus $140.00 a month in benefits since I am fully covered under my husband's insurance.

I agree with you its not easy once you get that X strike on your record. But all things are possible with God. In addition, I enrolled in a Facilities Maintenance course to earn a certificate in janitorial/custodian maintenance. I finish the course next Thursday. The City of Los Angeles and the school board will hire you at $10.66 an hour and having a felony will not nescessarily bar you from employment. Although if you have any convictions for child molestation or domestic abuse the school board will not hire you. The City seems to be more open. Also, working in construction is an avenue because you work through a union and from what I was told by my job developer they don't check criminal backgrounds.

Anyway, there are lot's of job opportunities out there. Yeah, sure the pay might start out low but the important thing to remember is this: You have to start somewhere and prepare yourself to move up and beyond from where you start. Once an employer hires you knowing your criminal record, you can certainly be promoted. For instance, I can move from custodian to plant manager earning upwards of 50k a year. All I have to do is take the required courses and apply when an opportunity opens assuming I decide to work for the school board. As for the City once you get in as a custodian, you can test for other jobs and move up.

Aside from all of this I know God will never leave me or forsake me. God is faithful, tradewiz50. No matter what employer slams the door in my/our faces God will open other's.

Ginger

I know that low wages don't go far, but it better than nothing. When D gets out, I know that he will need to find a job. I don't know what we are going to do. But even if I work two jobs and he works a part-time jobs and takes care of the kids, its all good. Something is better than nothing.

Congrats on your new job ginger.

Hello D's girl:

Thank you for your response.

No matter what keep your head up. People who don't have criminal backgrounds have a tuff time finding jobs with good wages.

However, the important thing to remember is this: We are employable. That fact within it's self is positive.

Take care,
Ginger

Ginger,

Congratulations! One step at a time! But, what a wonderful step.

Keep you mind on the moment, but, your eyes on the future! It can only get better!

Patti

Congrats!!!!

Thanks ginger90044!!!

Thanks for the encouragement. I needed to know that I'm not the only one who finds it difficult to get employment with a felony conviction. I must step out on faith. For I know it is impossible to please God without it.

During the past two years that I've been unemployed. I had employers call me to schedule an interview, however, I was afraid (and ashamed) to come in to complete an application.

Again, thanks for your words of encouragement. Continue to visit us here at PTO.

P.S. If anyone knows any companies/organizations who are willing to hire convicted felons in the Chicago area, PLEASE, PLEASE, let me know.

Any feedback would be helpful.

Sincerely,

faithiskey AND a new member

hey when i started my current job i was making 7.50$ an hour. 9.50$ isnt bad to start! just show up every day and on time, do the best you can with a smile and sooner than you know it you'll be handed your first raise!

You're doing great girl. All I could find was a job paying minimum wage (and I have a Master's Degree!). And to get a raise right away - sounds like you got some neat employers.

Thats great news! Means we never give up, maybe down but never for long. Happy for you...