Anonymous writes:
I have been in the information technology field for the last 13 years, because
of some weird circumstances I was sent to jail for the past 6 months and
now I’m out on parole. How do I get my career back on the right path?
How do I tell potential employers about my parole, but not hurt my
chances of landing the job.
The Career Doctor responds:
Probably the most important three elements to your success are realistic expectations, patience, and practice.
Be realistic. Unless your skills are in high demand, don’t expect employers to jump at giving you a second chance. The good news for you is that your incarceration was for such a short time that your skills and experience are current. It’s much harder for job-seekers who served much longer jail terms to regain the edge in their former careers.
Have patience. It doesn’t help that today’s job market is still so bad, and that information technology job-seekers without a record are facing long job searches. You may get lucky, but be prepared. And you might take a look at smaller companies, which are often more flexible than larger ones. But keep in mind that you may need to take a survival job, switch careers, or get additional training or certifications before you land another full-time professional job.
Practice your pitch. Remember that you never want to bring up your record, but you must be prepared to explain it when it does arise. Use mock interviews to practice explaining the facts behind your situation. Be honest — with yourself and the prospective employer — and be sure to focus on what you’ve learned and why it would never happen again .
I would also recommend reconnecting with your network of contacts, working with a career counselor (perhaps from your former college), and working or volunteering part-time to get new experience on your resume and dissolve that 6-month gap of prison time.
