The document provides tips for individuals with a legal background to stand out to employers during the hiring process. It emphasizes maintaining a positive attitude, carefully addressing legal history in applications and interviews, and educating employers about programs like the Federal Bonding Program that mitigate liability concerns related to hiring individuals with criminal records. Body language, phrasing, and follow up are also important aspects to focus on during the interview process according to the document.

1. H O W T O S T A N D O U T T O A N E M P L O Y E R
D E S P I T E Y O U R L E G A L B A C K G R O U N D
Legal Background

2. There is no perfect answer
 It’s hard enough stand out from all the other
applicants without legal history
 Each organization has a different system for
choosing a new employee
 Often the choice is on one individual, who wants to
make the right decision for the organization
 20,000 individuals released annually from prison
 71% of businesses are not willing to hire ex-offenders
 37% recidivism rate within three years of release

3. Attitude
 Be Positive!!
 Believe in yourself, have confidence!
 Leave the negative behind and focus on the positive
future!
 Do not let yourself be defined by your past keep running
toward your new future!
 It will be hard, stay strong, don’t give up!

4. Application Resume
 An application is
everything an employer
wants to know about
you.
 Disclosing legal history
may be necessary
 It is beneficial to list any
education or training you
may have received while
incarcerated
 A Resume is everything
you want an employer
to know about you.
 It is not necessary to
disclose legal history
 It is beneficial to list any
education or training you
may have received while
incarcerated
Resume vs. Application

5. References
 You should submit a list of
3 or 4 references with your
resume
 Most application will ask
for 3 or 4 references
 Have your references pick
out in advance
 Let your references know
your legal history and how
you want to explain that to
an employer
 Ideal References
 Someone you have known for
a few years
 Someone who will represent
you well with their
professionalism and manor
of speech
 Someone who will speak
positive of you and is willing
to share your story if
necessary
 Someone who can gauge
what is not necessary to
mention.

6. Reference Basics
 Be sure to get the
person’s permission in
advance
 Let your references know
when you are actively
applying for job so they
are prepared to be
contacted
 Update, keep your
references updated on
your progress

7. Job Application Strategies
● Skip the question?
Skipping the question could lower chance of
getting an interview
● Lie?
Most companies do background checks which
could result in not getting or loosing the job
● Honesty?
Use a “summary statement” drafted in advance
to explain your legal situation
● Will Explain?
This is the best option. State “yes” on the
application and write “will explain in
interview” or say you are “in recovery” It is
better to explain your background face to
face

8. What is Necessary to Disclose
 If the question is “have you ever been convicted of a
felony?” and you only have a misdemeanor then you
are not required to disclose the misdemeanor
 If the question is “Have you ever been arrested?”
then disclosing a misdemeanor is necessary
 The question may state a time frame, such as “Have
you been arrested in the past 7 years?” and your last
arrest was 8 years ago, you are not required to
disclose any arrest

9. Summary Statement
A summary statement should be 1-2 paragraphs
describing your legal background
Drafted in advance and memorized if possible
Used for application, resume, cover letter and/or
interview
Similar to an “elevator speech”

10. Summary Statement
 State your conviction and date of conviction if it’s
been a few years ago.
 Give a very brief explanation of the offence, use the most
pleasant langue possible and do not blame others.
 If more than one conviction . . . “When you check my
background you will find that I have “X” other offences dating
back to “XXXX””

11. Summary Statement
 Express some sense of remorse, sorrow, regret.
 Without blaming others, tell why you committed the crime
 Take full responsibility for the offense
 Explain what you have learned through the
experience
 Give specific examples
 Tell what you have done or are doing differently now
 Give specific examples

12. Summary Statement Example
I don’t think there is anything that will prevent me
from being an outstanding employee for your company.
However, I would like to share with you that I was
convicted of a felony. I grew up in a bad neighborhood
and made some poor choices. While I was incarcerated I
made a decision to turn my life around and completed
my GED. I am also working toward competing a welding
certification program. I feel like I have the skills I need to
be successful, and I am eager to learn on the job. Most
importantly, I am willing to work as hard as I need to in
order to convince you that I am an honest, dependable,
and motivated worker.

13. Interview Strategies
Remember what you
have learned!
Be Positive!
Belive in yourself!
Have confidence!
You are not your past!
Be strong!
Don’t give up!

14. Understand what is being asked
 What is being asking
 Why do you want to work
for this company?
 Tell me about yourself?
 What are 2 or 3 things that
are important to you in
your work?
 What have you
accomplished in previous
jobs that give you the most
satisfaction?
 What are your strengths
and weaknesses.
 What’s really being asked
 Can I depend on you?
 Are you easy to get along
with?
 Are you a good worker?
 Do you have the
experience and training to
do the job?
 Are you likely to stay on
the job for a reasonable
period of time and be
productive?

15. Basics of the Interview
 Bring your “A-Game”
 Make sure you bring your best to the interview. Your personal
impression should outshine your legal history
 Practice, Practice, Practice
 Practice mock interviewing with friends or family, research
common questions asked and common interview mistakes
 Find out company policy on appearance
 Go to the interview a notch above company requirements
 Use your summary statement
 Explain your background, what you have learned and how you
have changed. Show remorse and take responsibility, don’t
blame others

16. Phrasing
 When asked about legal history say things like:
 Thank you, I am glad you asked
 I really would like you to feel comfortable with me working here
 I am currently on Home Detention where I am completing my debt
to society
 I made a mistake
 I have learned from my experience by changing my outlook on life
 I have changed and my background is no longer an issue for me
 I am currently interested in making a positive contribution to your
operation
 Do you have any questions about what I have shared with you?

17. Body Language
 Many interviewers will assess you based on:
 Appropriate eye contact
 Correctly pronouncing the interviewer’s name
 If you seem enthusiastic and confident.
 When greeted introduce yourself and shake
interviewers hand. Do not sit until interviewer sits
 Never chew gum during interview
 Most employers agree that the first five minutes of
an interview will tell them the most about a person
 First impressions are important, even more important with a
legal history

18. Employer Concerns See the employers side of
things. Present yourself and sell yourself as a stable person
who has learned from their mistakes and is committed to
working hard and helping others
Put yourself in the
employers shoes
What might an
employer be afraid of?
An unstable person
who could harm or be
aggressive with
customers or staff
Theft
Illegal activity going
on inside their
business
An employee that may
reoffend causing bad
press on the employer
An employee that may
go back to jail or quit
without notice
Someone who may not
know right from
wrong

19. Liability Concerns
 Educate employers on the Federal Bonding Program
 The process of applying is simple and quick.
 Offers any employer bond coverage at not cost, effective day
one and lasts six months
 The bond has no deductable and reimburses employers for any
loss due to employee theft
 Who qualifies? Ex-offenders, anyone with an arrest,
conviction, or imprisonment
 Those with poor financial credit
 Dishonorably discharged soldiers
 Bonds are issued in increments of $5,000 and max allocation
is $25,000

20. Federal Bonding Program
 Individuals Seeking Bonding
 The Federal Bonding Program provides fidelity bonding for the first
six months of employment for hard-to-place job applicants. If you
are seeking bonding services and/or a job you should call the
following toll-free number for 1. the location of the workforce
office/one-stop center nearest your home and, 2. the telephone
number of the State Bonding Coordinator for your state. In those
states without a state bonding coordinator, callers will be referred to
the nearest career center/ one-stop center for employment
assistance.
 Call toll free: 1.877.US2.JOBS (1.877.872.5627)
 http://www.bonds4jobs.com/individual-seeking-
bonding.html
 WorkOne office in Columbus Learning Center

21. Employer Liability
 Educate employers on Work Opportunities Tax
Credit
 Federal program that offers incentives to employers who hire
individuals who have consistently had difficulty securing
employment
 Off sets the federal tax liability for private, for-profit employers
 Programs covers only new hires
 Amount is based on qualified wages
 Eligible/Target Groups: member of family who receives TANF,
Veterans, ex-offenders, individuals living in a EZEC zone, VR,
Ticket to Work, summer youth employees, SNAP recipients,
SSI recipients, long-term family assistance recipients.

22. WOTC
 WOTC joins other workforce programs that
incentivize workplace diversity and facilitate
access to good jobs for American workers.
 http://www.doleta.gov/business/incentives/o
pptax/
 http://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-
Businesses-&-Self-Employed/Expanded-
Work-Opportunity-Tax-Credit-Available-for-
Hiring-Qualified-Veterans

23. Closing the
interview
Stay Positive
Thank the interviewer
by name
Express your interest
in the job and
organization
Arrange a reason and
a time to contact the
employer again
Say good-bye

24. Closing the Interview
 Summarize at the end
 As an interview is about to close, take a few minutes to point
out why you are a good fit for the job. If any problems or
weaknesses came up in the interview, state why they will not
prevent you from doing the job well.
 Stay Positive
 If you are interested in the job, say so! Many employers will
hire one person over another simply because on candidate was
more enthusiastic.
 Use Call Back Techniques
 Thank the interviewer by name.
 Email a thank you to the interviewer.

25. Thank You Notes
 Most people are
impressed by a
handwritten mailed note.
 You should handwrite
your notes on quality
paper and matching
envelopes
 Keep the notes simple,
neat and error free

26. All obstacles can be overcome with enough effort. Don’t be
afraid to ask for help. Take responsibility to find a job and
manage your life. It will require planning and determination.
There will be feelings of rejection and discouragement. If you
keep at it and use the methods taught by Bartholomew Co.
Works, you will find a job!
Be Positive!!
Believe in yourself,
have confidence!
Leave the negative
behind and focus on
the positive future!
Do not let yourself be
defined by your past
keep running toward
your new future!
It will be hard, stay
strong, don’t give up!

27. Resources
 Indiana Prevention Resource Center http://drugs.indiana.edu
 Texas Christian University (Mapping Enhanced Counseling)
http://www.ibr.tcu.edu/evidence/evi-mapcoun.html
 Legal Action Center (tons of great information on working with ex-offenders)
http://www.lac.org
 National Reentry Resource Center http://nationalreentryresourcecenter.org
 IDOC Reentry Information http://www.in.gov/idoc/reentry/2517.htm
 Motivational Interviewing http://www.motivationalinterview.org
 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration http://samhsa.gov
 National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) http://drugabuse.gov
 Blue Jacket Inc (business that works with ex-offenders)
http://bluejacketinc.org/news
 Public Advocates in Community Reentry (PACE) http://paceindy.org
 Myth Buster about reentry http://www.nationalreentryresourcecenter.org
 WorkOne Re-Entry Services www.workone.com