I like my job.

This very phrase strikes fear deep into my soul.

I have been at my current serving job for about six months, I like the restaurant, I like my co-workers, I think the owners are cool people. I enjoy being of service to others, I am good at it because I believe everyone deserves to be treated decently, until they prove themselves otherwise.

However, being who I am means that I could lose my job at any given moment.

I make money, for the last 2 months I have been becoming comfortable enough to spend money like I have a long future with this restaurant. This is probably not smart on my part.

People like me must live in fear that their paycheck could disappear at any time, because it can, it has and it probably will again.

While I believe my employers are understanding and open-minded people, I have believed that very thing about others before and I have been VERY, VERY wrong. I am honest when asked questions upfront, but only when asked, I do not volunteer information, I cannot afford to, I have a mortgage, car payment and other bills to pay.

I have tried to get out of the restaurant industry multiple times, I have held jobs as an administrative assistant and a paralegal, neither paid enough, because jobs that do pay, run background checks.

Almost 2 years ago, on LinkedIn, I reached out to plead my case on why I would make a great employee. It backfired, big time.

I ended up with a stalker, some guy came to one of the restaurants I worked at, a restaurant that was NOT listed on my LinkedIn page, had the hostess seat him in my section and then after he left proceeded to berate me on LinkedIn about my service, how he thinks I am a ditz and that he will never return because the restaurant has knives!

Ok dude, drama much?

After I published the article, someone texted me my address and told me how they felt I deserved the death penalty and they would see to it for me.

We figured that a recruiter got my number and address off a resume, didn’t like my LinkedIn article and threatening texts was how they felt they would articulate that to me. Whatever, nothing I haven’t heard before. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Hate is Not an Original Thought.

The LinkedIn article did have a few silver linings, it is how we were connected to Rare Love and asked to do the interview, which you can see, if you haven’t, if you click on the drop down menu on the Home page of this very blog.

The article also connected me to “T,” who has been a great friend over the last 18 months. She is a smart, successful business owner and that fact that she believes in me, means more than she knows. She told me that I have “the right to worthwhile employment,” she’s not wrong. I’ve done my time, earned my release and now I have to live, work and pay my way through this country just like anybody else, these constant roadblocks only serve to send people back to prison or make them so depressed they disappear from the world altogether. It’s a thought that crosses my mind more than it should.

In the end, I shutdown my LinkedIn page, it was to intense, even for me. I can handle criticism, but some of these people were tearing me apart and it was doing a number on my mental health. I mean, Jesus, just don’t hire me, no need to tell me to kill myself, amongst other things. I’ll post the article at the end of this post, so you can read what all the hullabaloo was about.

I hope 6 months from now, I still work at this restaurant. I will occasionally hope to have a better job, but I will settle for staying right where I am, where I know I can get my bills paid and still have money leftover for the future.

Here’s to hoping!

LinkedIn, November 2017

In 1997, I was 17 years old and sent to prison for 25 1/2 years. A life was lost, lives were broken and shattered, it was horrible and I would change it if I could.

I did my time, 17 1/2 years to be precise, according to the law I paid my “debt to society,” but the American public sees otherwise. Once a felony conviction is on your record and you have the “felon” label, that’s it, you are no longer an American citizen like anyone else, doors are closed, ceilings are lowered, and barriers are thrown up in your path. This means, employers are missing out on the most employable group of people out there.

When I was released, I was 35 years old. I had $100 and a grey sweat suit. I had no life skills, no technological know-how, I had never gone grocery shopping, or done my own laundry. I had never lived outside of my parents’ house, other than behind prison walls. To say I had some challenges ahead of me was an understatement.

Within 4 hours of my release, I made it through the post-9/11 airport, got on a plane and flew to Atlanta. In 24 hours, I had a serving job. I starting learning how to use a cell phone, navigate the internet, figure out sensors on public water faucets. I knew the deck was stacked against me, but I didn’t care, I persevered and with fervor began to figure out this world I had never experienced.

While I was in prison, I got a college education. I have multiple degrees, a paralegal certification and some construction experience. I thought this would be enough to overshadow my felony conviction, I was wrong. I began to apply for 10 jobs a day: Monster, Zip Recruiter, Linked In, Indeed, Craig’s List, you name it, I learned how to use these sites and started applying. All I got in return was silence. I started going, in-person, into businesses and following up on my resumes and I was stonewalled. I finally got an HR person to talk to me and she confirmed what I already knew, deep down, Google.

HR departments Google potential candidates and Google is what was/is killing my job prospects. I can’t get an interview because of an app that I just learned how to use two years ago. I have done everything I can think of to get a decent job. I have always been employed, usually in restaurants, currently I have four low paying, crappy jobs. I have had paralegal positions, but that is only because they didn’t know about my record and when they found out, I was sent packing.

So here it is all my cards on the table. Most people would say this is career suicide, but since I don’t have a career, I have nothing to lose.

In the last two years, I broke my femur and ran a marathon 9 weeks later. I have learned cell phone technology, both android and I-phone, I have mastered social media and the Microsoft Suite. I own a home and have a 700+ credit score. I figured out how to socialize with other adults, dated, had a meaningful relationship and I am now engaged to be married. I went skydiving and refereed a charity flag football game at the Georgia Dome. I am working towards becoming a cohort with Glenn E. Martin’s JLUSA. I am strong, determined and smart. If I can accomplish all of this in just two years with no training or previous experience, imagine what I can do if given a chance to work for you.

My 17 year-old self and what happened 20 years ago has no negative effects on the person I am today. My past has made me stronger and smarter. I implore you not to look at my criminal record, but instead at my two year track record. I am the employee you want in your company, the employee that wants to work, that has something to prove, and an employee that can overcome any obstacle. I am the employee that will do what is necessary to succeed.