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ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

reformedfelonforhire.com

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Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#71
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a company is rejecting you based on policy, yes. If it's a personal decision based on prejudice against felons (he can't possibly be competent and non-violent), the result is not the same, you have the chance to disprove those prejudices and sell yourself. Since such prejudice is rampant, it may be your best overall chance. I believe that, aside from specialized fields like bank tellers or people working with chil…

Why do you make the distinction for bank tellers and people working with kids?

It could be argued that social consequences of recidivism are so great in some cases (ex. sexual offenses) that it's reasonable to prevent them at all costs, provided the freedom of ex-felons to choose a wide array of other occupations is not impacted significantly.

It would be a great progress from the current status quo, that basically denies them most jobs, even those where the higher than average recidivism risk of ex-felons is immaterial. I would see it as a practical political compromise.

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#72
Have you considered applying for (remote) jobs outside of the US? At least in Europe background checks are very unusual, although with a unique name maybe even a simple Google search would "out" you :/

(I'm not saying you should be dishonest and lie about your conviction, but if they don't ask then no harm no foul)

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#73
post #70

I find the complete lack of scepticism here to be pretty problematic. reformedfelonforhire.com links to someone's portfolio website. What evidence is there that these two websites are owned or run by the same person? The whois both have privacy settings from different companies. They may be the same person, but surely it's not beyond the realm of possibility that this is someone trying to hurt the reputation of a dif…

Google the owner of the portfolio website. There are news stories about the crime with his name on them.

whois before google! what is wrong with me.

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#74
post #64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If a company is rejecting you based on policy, yes. If it's a personal decision based on prejudice against felons (he can't possibly be competent and non-violent), the result is not the same, you have the chance to disprove those prejudices and sell yourself. Since such prejudice is rampant, it may be your best overall chance. I believe that, aside from specialized fields like bank tellers or people working with chil…

Why do you make the distinction for bank tellers and people working with kids?

When you apply for banking jobs, there is a question that asks if you were related in any financial-style crime. I think it's mandated by regulation, and the scope is limited to crimes having to do with the profession itself.

The amount of political capital required to undo that law and make criminal histories effectively private would probably be too much, so you do the political compromise and exempt some categories.

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#76
post #20
post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I beg to differ. Although I have no data or experience to suggest one way or another. I can see how you would want to first be judged on the merit of your skills and then an employer might be willing to make a judgement call in your case, after they have judged your value. As opposed to your resume being thrown out without even as much as a second thought if you are a convicted felon.

I have plenty of experience here, so I can comment. I've never had a problem finding a gig even though I'm a felon, but I don't work with BigCorp because that's not my scene (and it's probably harder to market myself as a felon to anyway): At the end of the initial phone call / screening, I tell them, transparently: "there's no way I can pass a background check by the way" It has always been well received, even to re…

Danish person here.

How does it work? Will the background check reveal what crime was committed, or just that you are a felon? I could imagine knowing the specific crime could influence the final decision on hiring or not, no?

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#77

Op, while I hope you manage to land a gig, I'll be a bit critical here and say that your webpage/resume could use a fair bit of work. 1. You have zero links to projects or things you've worked on (even if it is a simple calculator app). If you're so fluent in all the languages you listed, surely, you must have some projects to showcase? Hardly anyone is going to make the effort of sending an email to your listed emai…

1. I do have a portfolio but was a bit nervous to post it publicly on this website considering that opens me up publicly to scorn and wrath of anyone and everyone who is (rightfully) offended by my crimes. Either way, I've added it to the site. 2. True, I wrote this website in a rush. I copied the HN color scheme and decided to stick with that considering I only posted the link here. But valid point. 3. By putting th…

All the best man! You have a very impressive portfolio. I know you said you put your site together in a rush, but if you get a chance, I think you'd be helped a ton by making it more inline with your personal site in look and feel, and also putting up some cards for your best projects (in the way they are displayed on your personal site).

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#78
When I used to do independent contract software jobs, I never recalled any background checks being done. When people hire a plumber, they don't do background checks either. Presenting yourself as a company vs an employee can be helpful in this situation.

Have you thought of doing odesk style work or other remote contracts to pay the bills?

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#79
post #69

Op, while I hope you manage to land a gig, I'll be a bit critical here and say that your webpage/resume could use a fair bit of work. 1. You have zero links to projects or things you've worked on (even if it is a simple calculator app). If you're so fluent in all the languages you listed, surely, you must have some projects to showcase? Hardly anyone is going to make the effort of sending an email to your listed emai…

>1. You have zero links to projects or things you've worked on >2. site has a very 90s look and feel For the sake of the argument, there is a link to a portfolio web site that looks A-OK.

He added it in after my and other folks' comments. It wasn't up on his site originally.

Re: ReformedFelonForHire.com – High quality software skills, at a competitive price

#80

My man you can't be flashing high schoolers

AMEN. I can only have so much sympathy here. You are flaunting this "offense" like it's petty. If it were ANY OTHER crime catagory, I might not even bat an eye.... but when people go out exposing themselves to kids, it makes me wonder what they haven't been caught for. I think you need to remove your post, be happy if you get work, and don't use the community for an issue that is so personal.
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