Nancy Pance’s Post

Success Story Spotlight! Lee released from prison on February 8th of 2023. Before he was released, he had uncertainty in the job market after 11 years of being in prison. “My last experience was in 2008 and the market was unkind to felons. Now, if you want to work, it’s easier.” Lee found out about Opportunity Oregon through a workshop at Sponsors Inc. in Eugene, a reentry/release facility where he was living. (We love our partners at Sponsors Inc!! ) After the workshop, he started working with Nancy a day or two later. Lee chose to work with Opportunity Oregon because “I needed a job, Nancy had connections and she thought she could get me hired quickly. She had an interview scheduled for me within 36 hours of submitting my application and resume. Nancy helped me rewrite my resume and cover letter, submitted it to my employer, and drove me to the interview with copies of my resume and cover letter. I was hired full time on the spot.” After no luck finding work in the previous 3 weeks, Lee said that it took him 10 days to find a job once he started working with Opportunity, and that he wouldn’t have looked to his current employer if it hadn’t been for Opportunity and their connections. He is working full-time at a manufacturing company and along with his regular duties, he is also a graveyard backup lead. Lee applied the same work ethic from employment inside the Oregon Department of Corrections to the job that he has now and has excelled because of it. He makes a livable wage, has a full benefit package and received a year-end bonus equal to 2% of his annual pay. Lee said he has been investing and is close to retiring early. “If all goes well, I will own my own home by the end of this year.” “God bless Nancy and the work she does. It is a great help to us, and me personally. After meeting her, I had an interview in a few days and was hired on the spot. With results like that, need I say more?” #oregondepartmentofcorrections #sponsorsinc #communitypartnerships #successstory #fairchanceemployers #opportunityoregon #beatrecidivism

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 — Job Search Tip #93 I just completed a job-readiness workshop for our re-entry partner. It was awesome, being in person and captivating the room. It gave me a high that I've missed since pre-pandemic. So, the topic of how to answer the question of, "What have you been doing for the past (X) years?" came up. "How do I answer what I've been doing for the past 30 years without telling them I've been inside?" one asked. Crickets in my head. Uncomfortable silence in the room. What was me captivating the room turned into me saying, "Um, I would be honest...." Eyes upon me. Same person said, "I'm gonna tell them I was in prison?" That didn't seem right to me. "Hold on. They already know you were in prison; it's on your application or they Googled you. Answer the question as is." "So, like say I learned dog training and grooming." "What else?" "I counseled new inmates on how to not f@#$ up again." "Words. But, yeah. Tell them which skills you learned and how they are applicable." So, when you're in an interview, it's not a time to confess what they probably don't want to know anyways. #InterviewTips #JobSearch #100JobSearchTipGoal #LinkedInUnleashed

For three weeks I have posted interviews I was honored to be a part of in reference to second chance hiring. So here comes the fourth and final interview. This interview was with Queen City News (Charlotte, NC) that they presented on their evening news broadcast. Anytime anyone wants to discuss second chance hiring and its incredible benefits to your company, I jump at that opportunity. Some documented reasons? Community Improvement: Offering second chances at employment has intrinsic value. It not only benefits the individual but also contributes to stronger communities. Approximately 2.3 million Americans are incarcerated, and 1 in 3 adults has a criminal record. By providing employment opportunities, we improve our communities. Diversity and Inclusion: Small businesses that commit to second chance hiring advance their diversity and inclusion initiatives. By hiring former felons, they invest in communities that are often underserved. #secondchancehiring #secondchances #hiring #greatcandidates #strengthencommunities

In today’s job market, employers look for reasons not to hire you before looking at the reasons why. For those with a criminal record, this can cause extreme difficulty. Also, some housing opportunities are not available to those with a conviction. Although frustrating, this situation doesn’t have to last forever. We have helped clients get their life back by expunging or sealing their criminal records. Click the link below to learn more. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gpG25tji #CriminalDefenseAttorney #IllinoisAttorney #BellevilleLawyer #IllinoisLawyer #MadelynDaley #GrantMenges #CriminalDefense #ExperiencedAttorney #SouthernIllinoisAttorneys #Convictiono #SealingCriminalRecords #CriminalRecords

"I had no idea how to get myself together. I assumed it would involve a job. But how do I create a resume — especially with my past? If I get an interview, what do I wear? Perfume, or no? What will the interviewer ask, and how should I answer? I didn’t even know how to use the new phones." Read about Terri Minor Spencer's experience as an ex-incarcerated person and how she's building programs to share lessons with others in this first-person essay for PublicSource. https://lnkd.in/g9e-eCT4

As I continue to navigate my post-Air Force career path, I want to share a few tidbits of my experiences and what I’ve learned from the 3 interviews I have completed thus far. Interviews were for HR roles (HR Analyst, College Admissions Director, Offboarding Manager). 1) Interview was virtual with a 4-member panel. Many of the questions asked were opinion-type questions rather than the situational, behavioral, or technical questions I expected since this was for the analyst role. It caught me off guard as I wanted to showcase my experience, knowledge, and abilities, not give my opinions as they are subjective. At the end, one panel member said they were looking to hire quickly, hoping to have a decision by end of the following week, and would notify all candidates of the outcome. Well, that was 6 weeks ago so I’ve moved on. 2) Interview was virtual with just 1 member 3 weeks ago. The questions are what I expected as they were directed toward my experience as a recruiter/manager and the methods I have used and could use to increase admissions for the school. I thought the interview went well. When I asked a few questions it prompted the interviewer to explain the position has been vacant for a year because they have really been taking their time to hire the right person. The interviewer also stated they are looking to hire quickly and would have to discuss notes with the VP and get back to me. This was 3 weeks ago so maybe too soon but I’m not holding my breath. 3) Interview was 2-parts. First was on the phone with a recruiter. It went well so they invited me to in-person interview last week. This was a 3-member panel that started off asking how I feel about bullies, police, and employees/clients bringing guns to work. For context, the company manages healthcare contracts to provide treatment to individuals at prisons, juvenile detention facilities, substance abuse centers, etc. so I can see how these questions can be relevant to the mission. The remaining questions were situational. At the end, they said they were looking to hire quickly and would ensure their recruiter followed up. They kept their word as I received an email a few hours ago stating they decided to move forward with someone else. Takeaways: Some companies will do what they say they will and some will not. Be prepared to answer all sorts of questions. Some are not in a hurry to hire. This process is going to take a lot of patience. I become more comfortable and gain more confidence with each interview and that has value. I am pleased with my resume as each company stated how impressed they are with my experience. However, I sense I am selling myself short during these interviews and is something I will be working to improve in the coming weeks. Two of these companies I realized during the interview might not be the best place for me. It is a two-way street. Keep your head up job seekers; the best role and company for you is out there! Anyone have other experiences to share?

What is your agency doing to help your officers prepare for life after service?

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A few simple and effective ways courts can recruit staff — and I would argue that these tips apply across industries. Highlight and underline to number 3.

Learn how a criminal record can hinder your job hunt in our updated blog post. Take control of your future with a record suspension and unlock new career possibilities. https://lnkd.in/dppcWjFN