How to get a job with a criminal record | Zachary Moore | TEDxSanQuentin
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- What is it like to carry the scarlet letter of a prior conviction into a job interview? These strategies for transparency can help job seekers and employers overcome bias in the interview process. Zach Moore is a software engineer at Checkr, a tech company based in San Francisco. Incarcerated at the age of 15, he spent the next 22 years of incarceration attaining an Associates degree and learning to code via The Last Mile program. Upon his release in 2018, he worked as a software developer for TLM before landing an internship at Checkr, and eventually converted to a full-time software engineer. He considers himself an ambassador for those currently and previously incarcerated, and looks for ways to increase opportunity and equity in Tech. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
Everyone deserves a second job and it’s been very hard for me to get a job I nailed the interview and than my background check comes and they say never mind
It's criminal what the courts do to otherwise good people. When your sentence is complete you're supposed to have paid your debt to society. People make mistakes. Without making those mistakes we could never say we truly learned. I hope things work out for you and everyone else who has straightened their lives out and want to work.
Also in my experience people who have a record work the hardest, they know what it feels like to lose, and don't like it enough to TRY TO GET A JOB AND BETTER THEMSELVES
I know the feeling it sucks haven't been In trouble in 13 years still hard to get a job
@Dennis Bowen keep your head up, there will be places that come up. If not start your own business if you can.
Same here I know the feeling it absolutely sucks especially when you have truly grown and changed.
@Dennis Bowen
I just choose to believe that whatever higher power is running the show gives the tough battles to those who can handle it. One more rough day down; and the only easy day was yesterday. Godspeed fren
I got court next week for 2nd degree theft first offense. Please someone pray for me I'm freaking out
The worst part is going back and forth to court. Take your plea or fight. Do your time. It will get harder then a lot easier then harder again. Bless up 🙏
I’m praying for you brother🙏🏼
Going through the same thing I have court in 1 and a half weeks
How did it go? I pray you’re doing well
Praying for you! God forgives and provides.
People need to learn that humans make mistakes, some larger than other’s. Lessons need to be taught and punishment needs to be put in place but, not for the rest of ones life if they choose to rehabilitate. Especially in a world that is already a tough and scary place to live in. The justice sys makes mistakes too remember that one.
A mistake is a fender bender. A mistake is forgetting a meeting. Criminal behavior is different, People who are criminals are not human.
I'm begging for a job anywhere doing anything I've had a clean record for 44 years and now with a record I will work anything to stay off the streets
This guy is over here making me feel like crying right now. This is amazing.
He stabbed his little brother Jamie 44 times in Redlands California
I live in Las Vegas and I just nailed an interview for a sales position in cellphones, but I'm extremely scared I'll be fired once the background check comes back. It's honestly really daunting, thanks for talking about it
Got the job, they never even mentioned it (cricket)
Congratulations!!
@@Husawn W
Don’t worry just grind I landed a security job without a license, in TX it’s law to have a security license I worked there for almost 2 yrs
@@Texas_Ce thanks, if anyone wants an update i landed an apprenticeship at painless Wayne's shop in Vegas and I'm still at cricket lol
The infringement of people's rights to work in the USA is what leads to recidivism and murder suicides. I can just forsee that climbing to an all time high.
"Muh tuff on crimerinos!"
I think the only thing felons can do is get a job with a locally owned company who are probably short on employees and tell them your story and ask for a change to prove yourself. Also in terms on a living situation you’re going to have to buy your own house. Also you have to be strict in who you hang out with and take your job super seriously to the point of religion because it’s all you have.
This sucks lol
@@devonmartinez780 yup but no one else is gonna help you, you’re on your own so get into the trades and then buy a house, it’s all you can do
@@grant9047 mine as well check out at that point
My story, your dealing on it. Got a felony 5 years ago, and it’s made my life very difficult. Working with my step dad who got me this job thankfully, but it’s low pay hard work and still struggling to care for my daughter as a single dad… it sure sucks
@@augusthoerth1373 in March I’ll be eligible for my expungement, so I’m gonna work on getting that and then I’ll give you an update on how life gets after I get that expungement
13 month ago I decided to turn my life around and pursue my goal of becoming a heli pilot. The thing with pilot school is that its expensive (90k in a 1 time payement) so i came up with the plan of learning to become a barman since I heard it pays pretty good.
In the past 9months I went to a bartending school, bought a small bar at home to practice, worked at a busy restaurant as a service bartender( no tip and 12$/h) to gain experience with drinks , and got a job at a wedding hall to gain customer interaction experience.
Last week I nailed an interview at a nice steakhouse . I did 3 shifts as trial and they decided to keep but after the background check, they removed me from the schedule and am still waiting for an answer.
I really want to turn my life around but when its gonna be time to pay bills i’ll have to take every dollar i can get.
Sounds like you’re working so hard. Everyone deserves a second chance and not only do you deserve it but you’ve truly earned it. Best of luck
Hello. I hope all is well with you. I would love to hear an update of where you are now. I turned my life around 6 years ago. Now, I'm in a position where I can help others who have been justice impacted and are trying to get into the workforce.
@@saysomethingaldcsbiggestfa792 love my man
It's called consequences.
I have been busted for drug dealing, and I'm 18. This is giving me confidence 🙂
same brother im 20 and i was pulled over with half a pound on bail right now looking at 1 year.
Your life will turn around hun!
I caught a drug charge when I was your age I'm 39 now and it's a lifetime sentence honestly.. I can't land a good job to save my life.. non violent drug charges and I just can't catch a break.. just had a good interview with family dollar and once my background check came it was over.. This been happening since I was a kid it's very depressing and discouraging
@@nukebomb816That sucks. Hope you are doing ok, bro
@@darrendarren5298 Appreciate that bro trust.. I mean everyday is a struggle just found out my GF of 4 years we just had a daughter almost a year old she'll be 1 on May 9th but I just did a DNA test and found out she's not even mine.. Destroyed me so all my money is invested in building this family so I have to now dig my way out and I work at Moe's Southwest and grill they finna make me a manager so that's what I'm focused on and creating music and clothing to cope but definitely appreciate you family
I am all about watching and reading the impact of criminal records on people especially for people of color or minorities groups. If he had to pass through all of this hard process to find a second chance as he well deserved ( no one should be punished forever ) imagine how likely is for targeted people to receive another chance.
I don’t think it’s good at all to talk about your background at all,don’t make it seem like you’re some freak show jail bird that mentions it in every sentence. Just apply for what you want and if your background comes up just get up and walk out and apply somewhere else. Eventually someone isn’t gonna bother doing the background check and you’ll get the job. If they find out after you’re hired just walk out and never go back and then just apply somewhere else. Eventually someone just isn’t gonna care if you do a good job.
Bro really?
@@Squirrel-zq6oe yeah really move on from identifying yourself as a criminal. Stop bringing it up constantly and people won’t view you that way
@@grant9047they will when they see that charge on paper. It’s up to the person to prove they have good character and have changed.
@@garydavidson1731 well if they do just move on, life goes on, there's millions of jobs and careers in the world, you don't have to let some random person define you and limit your success. You only need one person to give you a chance to be successful. Or start your own business, people never ask me about my background when I'm running my own business.
Also get credentials like a CDL because if you have licenses that qualify you to do something and you know how to do it well people will give u a shot even though you have a background.
Yes like in tech. The more sought after your skills are the less they can care
@@raminrouchi202 yes at this point I have 5 very important career specific credentials that are difficult to obtain. And as time goes by the less relevant the conviction is. Just focus on getting more credentials and working your way up.
@@grant9047 I'm gearing towards something in tech. Computer science ...something ...anything that's hard ...in demand....and nobody wants. Contrary to what people think they're aren't actually that many people doing that...especially once it gets hard. I want to get to a point where someone who hates felons...WANTS to hire me because of skill
@@raminrouchi202 yeah man what I did is started working at a company that was family owned and I worked my way up from a basic position to a better position and then the company sold to a corporate company and they kept me hired on and then I just kept getting more licenses and credentials
@@grant9047 that is so awesome man. I know I'm gonna have to chip away at this so what you did sounds like what I need to do. The small operation is the best place to start....then if I have to go work for someone else ...at least I can get a solid reference and a good track record. It just doesn't seem like if they need someone with skills that bad....that they will turn down someone because they have felonies from several years ago. I think alot of other things make it hard for
...anyone to get jobs. I think selling yourself and presentation helps a lot.
the uk is just as bad a minor crime will show up for life on a crb check no matter how many years have passed since
you could have say commited a petty theft crime 40 years ago and never commited any crime since and your lifes still screwed
I don’t experience this because I had a record and you can’t ever find it , not because it was expunged , I got a certified hacker to help me get it off the database, I’m not worried because the opposing counsel failed me out of a misstatement of a professional which gave the court precedent to convict me of a crime I’m completely innocent of , I experienced difficulties getting a job , renting a house, building something of recognition for myself, you’d be surprised of the obstacles on your way when you have a record, now I’m working on a clean slate
How do one contact the hacker
It’s a discreet process it has to be a referral
I have the email to contact though
It’s needed here , let me give it a trial
Encryptioncole
I want to be honest on how I feel. Zach you seem like a great guy. Honest and genuine. I’m not in the same situation but I am a felon as well. I attempted to be honest and up front and nothing. I’ll wait to the very end take the background check and my offer gets rescinded.
You are a outlier and probably a token for your company almost like a cheerleader. “ I mean no disrespect” you found your path but I don’t believe what your selling.
Thank you for you time. Congratulations on the success.
I only had to do probation for a felony assault from 11 yrs ago when I was 21. I want to be an HVAC tech, but I'll be lucky to be able to wash dishes. Seems like some places like actual cold blooded murderers as a mascot these days...
@@patrickorphey4690 If they look the part, speak well etc. He fits all the criteria. Eventually time heals all wounds. “For most at least”
I'm glad he's a nice guy now. He was apparently an extremely bad person even before he got arrested for murder. He wanted to kill his mother but felt it would be too hard to hide the body so he killed his brother instead with 40 stab wounds.
@@patrickorphey4690I'm in a similar situation and it's discouraging smh
My daughter got a criminal record for a crime she did not commit on everything i love , and before the living God she did not do the crime. She just can't get a Job because of a record that she did not go to jail for . This world is so sad 😢 she worked so hard in school got her masters & she got stuck with a record that she did not do .😲😏😢
This is my situation
I am not convicted nor will I be convicted of any charges on my record because the court will dismiss the charges. I have pending charges on my record and the court schedule my next court date for next year. The jobs I applied for, I have significant experience in these positions but still can’t get pass the criminal background checks.
Yes and you won't. Even if the charge is expunged alot of times it doesn't come off....and no accountability for it. Even if so....their private companies can still find it and ...worst of all...your arrest record can't be cleared
Checkr is a background checker for employers and I never get the job
I'm sorry to hear that. Yes, Checkr is a background check provider that provides the results of the check to employers who actually make the hiring decisions. Checkr doesn't tell the employer what to do, rather they actually advocate for using the nature-time-nature test for each individual role and person.
@@zacharymoore1898i’d disagree, the background checks essentially tell the employer that you are a second class citizen and you’re a bad person in general and should’nt be hired. Get real man.
I signed up with checkr after being fired from a 13yr trucking career so I could stay afloat financially by doing doordash. Checkr got me fired from doordash and all other Delivery platforms. Now nobody who goes through checkr will hire me. I've been shut out completely from everything. No matter the job. Checkr will keep you from getting anything.
@@wombraider09why would u let checkR check ur background though , especially if you knew u had a record?
@@IrepDoubleurmax A man needs to work. I'd have taken any avenue.
I live this. Wish more people and firms actually embrace this idea of diversity. I live in a city where they’re all about restorative justice and criminal reform, but when it comes to real things that matter like background checks or access to jobs, it’s the same just like everywhere else. It’s like they want to look compassionate and good, but they really don’t consider, what they’re saying and take it to heart. I hope that they do so that more people get second chances. Even sometimes not being convicted can change your life because of your job or have to report arrest for licensing. So for the rest of your life, that’s what you’re doing. It doesn’t seem like just all the time. This video helps not feel so alone.
Change is always possible when we desire it. This is a great story.
It’s so hard to continue to try with a felony record. I’ve been self employed for 3 years because my last job closed due to Covid. Now I’m stuck with no work and I apply everywhere even at McDonald’s and have not gotten a job!
I'm scared
@@edmundoalarcon2000Of what?
Don't repeat the same mistakes everything is recorded so don't mess it up one get a full name change get a address never use in your old name ,apply for a id as a new person to get a new number or go to another state ,finger print on state level, 2nd get a tin from IRS web site application for common law employee , get a copy send it certified mail. Now you have a new identity keep a secret information cost money & companies pay for that & will practically give it away
How to get a new identity?
Honestly seems like the only option at this point...
I think it’s wrong in the United States. We are a disenfranchise people because of a criminal record when we finish and did our time we should be done.
It depends the location. Pennsylvania forget about it.
Having a criminal record does not have any relevance to getting employment and it should only be considered unless something like a conviction of stealing from work etc.
Yes it does, anything but construction will reject you 99% of the time
@@pithyt5369they need robots to work
Clearly you don’t have a criminal record
Didn't work for me :(
Get help at *ABCHACKERS*
I’m mad because I literally cannot get a job with my record and the worst part about it is that I’m charged not convicted! Mcdonalds won’t even hire me.
Then they wonder why people go out and commit more crimes
Try Wendy's they don't do background checks . I've been working there for the last 9 months it sucks but its better than nothing. My record goes back 5 years and here's a list of all the jobs that will hire felons
Giant grocery store
Bjs wholesale club
Pepperidge farms/task management
Ups
Lomax carpetmart
Some shipping and recieving warehouses
There is also grant programs that will help you just have to do a lot of searching but good luck 👍🏾.
Thanks for this
Hope it helps
The title should say how to get a job after getting parole on a 15YR SENTENCE.
Idk...I have a 20 yrold forgery and uttering.. felony . murder is a whole different ballgame i feel like.
I'm on a restraining order and I don't know what to do, not even sure I'm good enough for anything, I have a mental health problem too.
He stabbed his little brother Jamie 44 times, they called it over kill.
He's talking about how hard his life is, meanwhile his brother doesn't have a life anymore because of him, but this dude's the REAL victim. Pathetic. Gets what he deserves.
He wanted to kill his mother but thought it was too hard to hide the body so he turned to his brother instead.
Man. You made me cry. What you say It so true. We don’t get even a chance
Amazing! Thank you for sharing!
Were disenfranchised not everybody can make it
They need to just take that bottle out of the room. If you’re an ex-con you got to hustle and stop doing any substances. You don’t deserve drinks anymore. You gotta work and you gotta build your work ethic to the point where you’re better than everyone around you. Bottles and drinking will keep you in the mindset you were in when taking part in crimes.
Thank you!
How is it possible you took someone’s life and now you profit from his death
I knew Jamie and I didn't hear anything about his brother here. Zach is talking about controlling the narrative, and he totally is. I can't stop thinking about how Jamie never got that chance
This talk isn't about profiting from anything (noone is paid for TED talks). This talk was done to help give hope and important information to other individuals with records that can help them get their lives back on track and find employment after their incarceration. Unemployment is a huge contributor to recidivism. It's better for everyone if justice impacted persons are able to find work.
@@christadietzel This talk wasn't about Jamie or me or my family, it's a talk meant for justice impacted persons and helping them prepare for getting jobs by sharing my own journey and experiences finding work after incarceration. There is nothing I can ever do to undo the mistakes I've made in this life - including taking Jamie's and I am truly and deeply remorseful for any pain I've caused you and others. This is how I honor him and try to make this world a better place though - trying to break the cycle of violence, addiction, and incarceration by being the best person I can be and sharing my story.
@Zachary Moore hey, I appreciate you. It sucks what happened, but you're right, nobody can undo what is done, and justice is a perception. The only choice any individual has is what they're doing right now from where they are.
The man has changed and is bringing hope and information to people with criminal PASTS give the guy a break. It's the ones that don't give people a second chance that perpetuate alot of the negativity and violence in this world. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Who the duck isn’t a criminal.
Me
I have no skills or ability to get skilled.
I can think of something....
@@Donner906 …. What