Tips for Getting a Job When You Have a Criminal Record

I wrote the following story on how those with a criminal record can get a job, but these tips apply to any job seeker -- highlight transferable skills, network and be prepared to talk about what you can bring to an employer....

While more than two dozen states and 150 cities have adopted initiatives to give people with criminal records a fair shot at employment, that doesn't mean those who were formally incarcerated won't have to eventually address the issue in an interview or explain why they have an employment gap on their resume.

PrisonPolicy.org estimates that the unemployment rate for the formerly incarcerated is about 27 percent, which is higher than the total U.S. unemployment rate during any historical period, including during the Great Depression. As a result of such a high percentage, legislation collectively known as "Ban the Box" prevents (read more here)