Job Update - Good News

It's official - I have been offered a job. Actually, I fought for the job that had decided to go in a different direction. After I received the email on October 30th from the architectural company that I had interviewed with and who ran the background check, I decided to do something different. With my record, I realized I was going to have to be more aggressive to get someone to take a chance on me. I decided to write to the company and the people I interviewed with and asked them to give me one last consideration. If you want to read the entire email, go to the end of this post. Briefly stated, here's why you should still consider me. I sent it on Friday near noon time and on Monday morning, I received an email that stated they really appreciated my well written email and that they were in fact giving me consideration. I interviewed with the owner of the company and he reiterated that my email was well written and appreciated. So much in fact, that I went from being no longer considered to their new graphic designer. I start on Wednesday! While I cannot say that this will work every time or even any time again, I can state that my perseverance worked for me. I am extremely fortunate to find a company who is willing to overlook my past and see the value I can bring to their organization. I am blessed that I have talent and education unlike many of my fellow released inmates. I didn't have to overcome a troubled job past or no education. I am fortunate. All I can say is that I am extremely grateful for this opportunity and finally getting back to normal life. 9 to 5 boring office life sounds like just about the best thing on the planet.

Here's the email I sent (if you are a ex-inmate who needs to copy and paste some of the verbiage for your job quest, please go ahead and I wish you well):

While searching for employment on Indeed.com, your graphic design position showed up as reposted. I would like to ask you to please give me one last consideration. I understand that my background makes me a questionable hire. I assure I am not. I am someone who has a record due to a huge misunderstanding. Please read my blog which details exactly what happened: https://fmccarswellthetruth.blogspot.com/2018/10/how-i-ended-up-felon.html

Up until that incident, I have never broken any law or had any interaction with law enforcement. While in prison for the 6 month sentence, I actually tried to be productive and help people. I obtained a job in the education department as an employment resource clerk. In that position, I helped other inmates with finding resources for their needs when they began to reintegrate into society. I wrote and taught Adult Continuing Education classes to fellow inmates. I taught classes including US History, Impressionism, and African American History. I helped women to get their GED and get into apprenticeships. In my spare time, I helped motivate people to take part in healthy activities like yoga and exercise classes. All of this reflects my character. Even in the worst circumstance, I succeeded in achieving some personal goals and helping people to achieve theirs.

By hiring me, you are not putting XXX at any risk. The Federal Bonding Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, serves as a tool to secure the job placement of ex-offenders and other high-risk applicants by issuing Fidelity bonds to businesses who offer jobs to workers in "at risk" groups. These bonds are business insurance policies that protect the employer in case of any loss of money or property due to employee dishonesty.

The bonds are a "guarantee" to the employer that the person hired will be an honest worker. The Fidelity Bonds issued are insurance policies from the Travelers Property Casualty insurance company. The McLaughlin Company in Washington, DC is the agent for Travelers in managing the program nationwide. 

The bond is given to the employer free-of-charge, and serves as an incentive to the company to hire a job applicant who is an ex-offender or has some other risk factor in their personal background. The employer is then able to employ the worker without taking any risk of dishonesty on the job. It insures the employer for any type of stealing by theft, forgery, larceny, or embezzlement.

You will also qualify for tax breaks and or credits for hiring me. You can speak with my probation officer, XXXXXXXX. His phone number is (407) 555 - 5555 and his email is XXXXXXXXX. He can reassure you as to my character and his expectations of me. My probation conditions will not interfere with work.

I would make an excellent addition to your team. I am looking for a long term, stable position. I will work harder and be more loyal than any other possible candidate that you could hire. All I am asking is for you to give me a chance. I promise your risk will be rewarded.

Thank you for the consideration.

Have a great weekend.

Kindest Regards.