What would a convicted felon put on his resume for the time that he spent incaracated?

Answer 1

I used to think honesty was the best policy but I have worked for a company for almost 4 years and was honest about my background from the start. Now, the Loss prevention dept. has gotten wind of it and it has been pure hell the past month. I have been demoted, drug tested excessively and humiliated. The sad part is I never told the higher ups that the general manager and district manager knew the whole time. I guess I let them cover themselves while I got buried.

Regardless of the bad experience above, you must be honest up front. His/Her experience is part of the price to be paid for felonies. That being said, most employers are not as self serving as above. In most of the positions in a company an employee is not in a position to jeopardize the company's money, with the exception of retail. To start out, try to get work where you would not be handling money or accounts. If you find yourself in the hands of an employer like the above, it's time to look for a new one. Even folks who don't have a negative background can get in trouble with that situation.

For the resume, use terminology like "Unemployed 20xx-20xx: Inability to work to be discussed at interview".

If while incarcerated, you participated in a recovery, educational, or community service program, highlight that at the interview. If not, highlight what you have learned about life and how you can do better. Don't be discouraged, keep trying, it will just take you longer than someone else to get hired. Another price to pay for your mistake.