How to get a job after being in prison? Divine intervention?

A question about : How to get a job after being in prison? Divine intervention?

Just over 2 years ago i was sent to prison for 43 months whilst i was in my final year at university. I served 22 months of that sentence and now i'm out i am finding it impossible to get a job. I have applied for hundreds of jobs in the past 2 months and had i think about 47 interviews now and have not been successful in any. I cant even get a job as a bathroom attendant I've applied for literally everything on the market and nobody will employ me because of just being released from prison.

I just feel like i have nothing any more, i lost my university degree and my family who are ashamed of me. My auntie is the only one who took me in and this is because she pities me. The probation service are useless and offer no help at all other than telling me to sign on which i'm not going to do as i feel i've cost the tax payer enough money by being in prison. There is just nothing for me and i'm just hoping someone who reads this can relate and give me some inspiration because right now i have given up hope.

Best answers:

• I assume 47 interviews was hyperbole but if you've had a lot of job interviews in the past two months, it sounds like you're actually pretty close to getting a job. The prison issue can't be discouraging employers too badly if they're still giving you interviews - they wouldn't interview you unless they were seriously interested. I failed 8-9 interviews in a row a couple of years back without any kind of criminal record.
• You are certainly doing the right thing Scuffer and I wish you every success. Are there no prison charities that can offer help/support?
  Good luck and all the best-please come back and let us us know (soon) when you get a job. it would be lovely to hear how you are getting on. Regards, Jim.
• Have you thought about becoming self employed?
• Hi as above you are being given interviews despite employers seeing your cv mentioning a prison sentence, maybe you need to improve your interview skills, if you sign on the job centre can offer you training and workshops…might be worth doing as it won't be forever. Was your crime one which needs declaring on CV, as i am aware some offences do not appear on criminal searches by employers.
  Have you considered doing a tefl/CELTA qualification (very quick, easy and cheap) which guarantees you voluntary work experience in the UK then teaching english abroad, some countries like Japan will pay 2k per month plus lodgings. Might be a good idea to make a new start.
  You say you were in your final year of university, the 2 years you did should get you a higher education certificate. Is there any chance of using those credits to finish your degree?
• Surely its why you went to prison that counts the most?
  Also, have you looked at Timpsons, they are very pro hiring ex prisoners.
• I might be wrong, but I think it's important that you sign on anyway, so that your NI contributions are paid for you?
  If it bothers you to think of dole as taking taxpayer's money, resolve to make a donation to a charity of your choice (maybe an ex-offenders one) once you're earning again
  Good luck, I can only imagine how hard it is, but 49 interviews shows determination, prison or not, there are many people that would give up and you haven't, keep at it and you WILL find something!
  Best Wishes,
  Blue
• a tefl/CELTA qualification won't help OP when certain countries won't permit entry, which many agencies will use as a reason to refuse to take him on.
  Unfortunately the nature of the current world is that when you have high unemployment you can be picky about the people you employ. A near 4 year punishment would suggest you were put away for something fairly bad though - that will red flag you to a LOT of employers. Ultimately what I will say is near 50 interviews in 2 months is actually a hell of a result, that's a lot more than most get & your CV is clearly attracting attention. Focus on the positive from that (you're getting interviews) rather than the negatives & build on it - you cannot do anything about peoples perceptions of you other than state fact, from there on out you're at their mercy. Not everyone will write off someone who's been to prison, but when unemployment's running as high as it currently is, a lot of people will because they can.
• Will they not let you back in to Uni? Can you take your credits and finish it at the open university
• Hi. I would like to wish you the best of luck going forward. But, it really does depend on what you went to prison for.
  You would then have to consider what you can and can't do as a result.
  I would then go to your local volunteering bureau, and get an unpaid job with whichever charity will help you in the area of work you can legitimately work in. So, you then get experience, a reference and can demonstrate that you are a person who has the skills they need, despite your past.
  Best of luck.
• Think the advice re prison charities (or even other charities) volunteering is good and will help build your confidence and gain a good reference.
  Don't give up... everyone deserves a second chance.
  Best of luck
  RS