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Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

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Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#371

Post by ngold »

nulagrithom wrote: post #32

I went through an IT technical degree at a community college. Three of my classmates were timing their graduation to the year their felony fell off background checks. These guys spent 5 years grinding it out at whatever shit job would hire them just to spend 2 more in school + working with the hope of getting a simple rack & stack job, all because of some mistake they made in their late teens/early twenties. It was t…

I have never heard of a felony falling off a background check. Can you elaborate?

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#372

Post by brooklyn_ashey »

civilian wrote: post #335
brooklyn_ashey wrote: post #325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would be so great if attitudes were changing quickly in a positive direction. In tech, it is still impossible to get your first job after a career change as a woman, a person of color, or a person over say 35. Many of these people fall into one or all three of these categories. In addition to that, they have this ridiculous other hurdle to clear, and tech is still trying to figure out if women can do any technical…

Tech is far less sexist and racist than you think it is. This article isn't about tech specifically, but I think it does demonstrate that if anyone, there is positive-sexism [ed: for women] happening when it comes to recruitment in western workplaces. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-30/bilnd-recruitment-tria... Right now the demographic make up of companies don't match the population, that's true, but these compan…

not even slightly surprised someone piped in with "tech is far less racist and sexist" than I think it is. Being less of that than I think it is would get an afirmative, supportive response, rather than the knee-jerk denial I have come to expect.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#373

Post by RonanTheGrey »

Danihan wrote: post #326
raarts wrote: post #322

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Man, just admit your comment was snarky and be done with it!

It's not snarky, it's just reality. These felonies in question are either from violent crimes, which will always be illegal and a stain on someone's record, or from possessing hard drugs / selling drugs / or committing crimes associated with the black market due to the war on drugs. Obviously, from what I posted, the harder drugs will likely always be illegal and most people continue to support that. We aren't "makin…

And it's not "slap on the wrist years" like 1 year. These things carry penalties of 10, 15, 20 years. That's an entire life, for what?

America is a country that enjoys persecuting people. Even better if they "deserve" it. A country once built on second, third, fourth chances, has now dedicated itself to the proposition that the tiniest mistake should destroy your entire life.

I am pleased to see that sometimes, we take a micro-step back the other direction. But I have seen no indication that the swing will ever go the other way. How could it? What lawmaker would ever advocate being softer on crime? What company would encourage what is "illegal"? And when the entire conversation is controlled by those who will never encourage those points of view because it would be unpopular, your average American will never have the conversation on any other terms either.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#374

Post by Forbo »

ngold wrote: post #371
nulagrithom wrote: post #32

I went through an IT technical degree at a community college. Three of my classmates were timing their graduation to the year their felony fell off background checks. These guys spent 5 years grinding it out at whatever shit job would hire them just to spend 2 more in school + working with the hope of getting a simple rack & stack job, all because of some mistake they made in their late teens/early twenties. It was t…

I have never heard of a felony falling off a background check. Can you elaborate?

Some states allow for reduction of felonies to misdemeanor offenses after a specific amount of time has passed without re-offending. Many background checks don't reveal misdemeanors.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#375

Post by [deleted] »

ngold wrote: post #371
nulagrithom wrote: post #32

I went through an IT technical degree at a community college. Three of my classmates were timing their graduation to the year their felony fell off background checks. These guys spent 5 years grinding it out at whatever shit job would hire them just to spend 2 more in school + working with the hope of getting a simple rack & stack job, all because of some mistake they made in their late teens/early twenties. It was t…

I have never heard of a felony falling off a background check. Can you elaborate?

[deleted]

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#376

Post by abeisgreat »

civilian wrote: post #335
brooklyn_ashey wrote: post #325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It would be so great if attitudes were changing quickly in a positive direction. In tech, it is still impossible to get your first job after a career change as a woman, a person of color, or a person over say 35. Many of these people fall into one or all three of these categories. In addition to that, they have this ridiculous other hurdle to clear, and tech is still trying to figure out if women can do any technical…

Tech is far less sexist and racist than you think it is. This article isn't about tech specifically, but I think it does demonstrate that if anyone, there is positive-sexism [ed: for women] happening when it comes to recruitment in western workplaces. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-06-30/bilnd-recruitment-tria... Right now the demographic make up of companies don't match the population, that's true, but these compan…

You're forgetting to account for people who would be starting out in tech then find an environment that's impossible to work in so they leave the field.

These smart, awesome people never get to be "trained programmers" because attitudes like this allow casual, often unintentional behaviors to ruin their days.

Claiming this is a funnel problem is short sighted. We definitely need people in the funnel, but we also need to ensure they have an amazing time as they integrate into tech culture.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#377

Post by RonanTheGrey »

newsreader wrote: post #290
chris_wot wrote: post #265

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm sorry to hear of the issues you had getting employment. Must have been awful getting a job, hell when I left my last company with few references it was hard enough... I can only imagine how tough it must have been getting out of jail!

It was very tough getting my first job. I been with my current employer for more than 10 years, and will probably retire from here. Many people don't believe that people change. I know for sure that people change -- unfortunately not always for the better.

Would you say that people who have been through what you have, generally change for the better? Or for worse?

I think sites like 70MillionJobs are dedicated to the proposition that they change for the better. Do you agree?

I firmly believe people change. Sorry, I know they do. And regardless of the nature of the change, it is fair to say that 10 years on, most people are not who they were before. Beyond about that mark, any prison sentence is nothing more than vengeance.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#378

Post by will_brown »

Mz wrote: post #341
will_brown wrote: post #329

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Based on anything I stated how do you conclude I "think all criminals are violent scum"? I'm an attorney, have defended people accused of crimes, and I too have a criminal record, so please check your bias. What I wrote is about a hypocritical practice that hiring managers engage in (rejection out right) when the reality is other employees they have hired and even themselves have engaged in the same acts, they just d…

I don't have any bias to check. I am basing my conclusions on your remarks. Perhaps those conclusions are inaccurate. But it is your framing that seems to come from an assumption of guilt. This is neither accurate, nor effective marketing. For some years, I was close to someone who spent three years in prison for their political activism and was questioned under torture. For this reason, I am keenly aware that whenev…

I'm sorry you have dealt with/are dealing with anything like that.

>B) Affirming their fundamental innocence is a better marketing strategy than suggesting to employers "your firm is already full of wolves in sheep's clothing, so might as well hire more wolves."

Again I'll admit I framed it poorly, but Please reread:

>this is my background, this is what I learned and this is my vision of my own future.

I did give an example where guilt was admitted, But the original advice really is more along the lines of: I was charged with "x", I learned this thru the experience and as a result I want to do y with my future and that's why I am here. None of that is intended to address guilt, innocence or facts just the objective fact there is a record. For example, I don't even volunteer a positive outcome such as the state dropping the charges unless expressly asked, and I'll admit maybe that is a marketing mistake on my part.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#379

Post by RonanTheGrey »

newsreader wrote: post #233

Former career criminal here. Spent 19 years of my adult life in a combination of jail and prison. Longest stint was for 14 consecutive years. Been working in IT for the last 17 years, mostly as a developer. Had a very hard time getting my foot in the door; was denied employment more than once because of my record. Not sure that my current employer is even aware that I have a record, and to be honest I have no plans t…

I really love that you shared your story.

Re: Launch HN: 70MillionJobs (YC S17) – Job board for people with criminal records

#380

Post by RBBronson123 »

newsreader wrote: post #233

Former career criminal here. Spent 19 years of my adult life in a combination of jail and prison. Longest stint was for 14 consecutive years. Been working in IT for the last 17 years, mostly as a developer. Had a very hard time getting my foot in the door; was denied employment more than once because of my record. Not sure that my current employer is even aware that I have a record, and to be honest I have no plans t…

Thanks, and congratulations for having the heart to keep fighting.
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