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Second Chances

Do you or someone you know have a criminal record, especially a felony, that you feel could be impacting your ability to start a new career? Are you concerned about how to navigate the application process, background checks and interview process to drive the best outcomes?

We have the resources to help you understand the obstacles you’re up against and how to overcome them with confidence. Salesforce is a great career choice for the flexibility, income, and autonomy and we strongly believe that your lowest moment shouldn’t stop you from reaching your highest achievements.

Hear from others!

Have your backstory on your felony is so important. It’s also important to not bring it up if it’s not asked. Often I have found job applications do not ask the question or it is specific to a time frame (I.e. the last seven years). When it is asked I have a concise statement, addressing what it was for and the process I went through to have the felony set aside, and my rights restored. I would highly encourage anyone that has the ability to have the felony expunged if possible. Or like in my case, I petitioned the court to have my felony conviction set aside, and my rights restored. This process lends to your story around the felony and that you've done what's needed to be changed in your life and took steps to rectify it.

I have a criminal record and was able to thrive in the Salesforce ecosystem! The only time I was denied because of my background was with a financial tech company and you can see I’ve stayed employed and moved up to management despite spending 6 years behind bars. Anyone can do this!

It will be hard, but it will be worth it. It will test everything in you, and you'll face “no” after “no.” But if you stay focused on your why, when you finally get that first “yes”—the first of many—it will all be worth it. Don’t feel like you have to lead with who you were or your past conviction. Lead with your character, and reinvent yourself based on your future sense of who you are not who you were.

Overcoming Obstacles In Stride

Guidance & Resources

This might be your first time jumping back into the workforce after several years or your first journey into tech jobs and you might be wondering where to get started – how to learn about Salesforce, prepare your resume, and nail job interviews with that additional nuance of managing the communication of your criminal record.

We recommend starting keeping the following steps in mind:

✔️ Know Your Industry Niche: Specifically working as a Salesforce professional you have a lot going for you. Typically working remote, not going to customer sites or homes is beneficial as there are fewer issues around company insurance and compliance policies. However, Financial Services & Government roles or Government Partners tend to have more stringent background checks and policies. For this reason those are good industries to avoid applying for in order not to waste your time. Salesforce professionals work in every single industry, focus your efforts on companies that see you for your worth!

✔️ Have a Backstory Ready: Similar to having your own backstory for interviews related on why you’re interested in Salesforce, how you approach challenges, etc; having your backstory on your felony is equally important. You need to be prepared for the conversation to come up at any moment, so be prepared, explaining the crime, how long ago it was, how you’ve served your time, steps you’ve taken to put that far behind you and what you’ve done since then showcasing your new path. For free guidance on preparing for interviews start here! 👇👇

✔️ Who Asked: You don’t need to bring it up if it’s not asked. Often applications do not ask the question or it is specific to a time frame (I.e. the last seven years). If it is asked have a concise statement, addressing what it was for and the process you went through to have the felony set aside, and your rights restored. Speaking to how seriously you take it and how important it is to you to have it behind you and the action you’re taking and have taken to make that happen is huge. Also know that timeframes are based on the time of conviction.

✔️ Never Lie or Embellish: Keep in mind that if your criminal history does come up the employer will have a focus on trust. Oftentimes applicants may embellish their job history, responsibilities or minor details to make themselves look like a stronger candidate. This isn’t a game you want to play, it’s much better to move forward with complete honesty.

Your Questions Answered

How do I navigate the Expungement, Pardons & Rights Restoration Process?

Do some research on your states expungement process. The absolute best thing you can do is follow the process and have your record expunged if at all possible. If there is no true expungement in your state, instead, you can often petition the court to have your felony conviction set aside and your rights restored. This process lends to the story around the felony that you saw what needed to be changed in your life and took steps to rectify it. Here’s a quick video outlining expungement and pardons for Pennsylvania specifically, research your state and get the process started as soon as possible as many times this can take year, but is well worth it.

How can I best showcase my value?

Showcasing your new story is as important if not more important than explaining how your past is in the past. Get Certifications, experience and involvement involvement in communities to help highlight your new story more visibly. Try out our free Salesforce Associate Certification Course and join some Salesforce community groups that feel like a fit for you!

Who should I ask to be a professional reference?

References are important for any job seeker, but if an employer is looking to verify not only your ability to do the job, but also to confirm your credibility as a person the stakes are higher. Make sure to have references who can speak to who you are as a professional and as a person. For this reason you’ll need to network professionally but also layering in that personal touch to allow others to get to know YOU. For exact steps and details on how to network effectively grab our free networking guide here