Table of Contents
1 Putting the Bars Behind You for Good! 1
Re-Entry and Jobs 1
Carrying Negative Baggage 2
Key Job Search Mistakes Ex-Offenders Make 2
Ask the Right Questions, Focus on What's Important 2
Yes, You're Risky Business 3
Consider the Employer's Needs 3
Focus on the Job Interview 4
On Your Own 5
2 Red Flags in Your Past 5
Job Knockouts 5
Test Your Knockout Potential 6
Why Will an Employer Care About My Past? 7
Red Flag Behaviors 8
3 Employers' Major Fears 10
Apprehension and Disappointment 10
Cautious Employers 11
So What Does an Employer Want From Me? 11
Predicting Your Behavior 13
Employers Want Value for the Wages They Pay 16
Understand the Employer's Viewpoint 16
Red Flag Behaviors Beyond Illegal Behaviors 19
So What If You Are an Ex-Offender? 19
4 Turn Your Red Flags Into Green Lights 21
Identify Your Personal Red Flags 21
Questions That Follow Red Flags 31
Prepare to Lower the Red Flag 31
Plan the Gist of Your Explanations 34
5 40 Interview Mistakes Many Job Seekers Make 36
Positive and Negative Goals of Employers 36
40 Killer Interview Mistakes 37
Interview Tips from the Experts 45
6 The Verbal Exchange of Questions and Answers 47
Gather Information About the Company and the Job 47
Match Your Goals/Strengths to the Employer's Needs 48
Prepare to Complete an Application or Test 48
Organize Your References 49
Prepare for Questions 50
101 Frequently Asked Job Interview Questions 52
Unexpected Questions 57
Behavior- and Situation-Based Questions 58
7 Nonverbal Behaviors to Win the Job Interview 59
Manage Your Physical Appearance and Dress - Men 59
Manage Your Physical Appearance and Dress - Women60
Getting Clothing Help 61
Make Your Body Language Say Positive Things About You 61
Eye Contact and Facial Expression 62
Vocal Expression 62
Your Total Nonverbal Message 62
Ask Yourself 63
8 Get Ready for the Interview 64
Good Preparation Wins 64
Most of Your Hard Work is Done! 64
A Word of Caution 65
Last Minute Advice 65
9 At the Interview: Wow the Interviewer 67
Entering the Office and Waiting for the Interviewer 67
As the Interview Begins 68
During the Interview 68
Listen for Underlying Messages and Questions 69
Dealing With Questions About a Difficult Background 70
Accentuate the Positive 70
Ask Yourself 71
10 Handling Red Flag Questions With Savvy Answers 73
No Experience 73
Poor Grades 74
No Diploma 75
Were Fired 76
Job Hopper 77
No Focus to Jobs Held 78
Poor References 79
Ex-Offender 80
Abused Drugs or Alcohol 83
Over-Qualified 83
Questions You Should Ask 84
Ask Yourself 85
11 Closing and Following Up the Interview 87
Summarize and Restate Your Interest 87
Don't Play Competitive Games 87
Ask for the Job If You Really Want It 88
Ask for Permission to Follow Up 88
Prepare a List of References 88
Make Follow-up a Top Priority 89
Send a Thank-You Letter 89
Follow Through With a Telephone Call 89
Ask Yourself 91
12 Deal Effectively With Job Offers and Compensation 93
Ex-Offenders and Compensation 93
Most Salaries Are Negotiable 94
Become a Savvy Salary Negotiator 94
Avoid 21 Salary Negotiation Mistakes 95
Don't Discuss Salary Before Receiving an Offer 97
Let the Employer Volunteer Salary Information 97
Examine the Total Compensation Package 97
Focus on Salary Ranges 100
Carefully Examine Benefits 101
Avoid Paying Unprofessional Games 101
Take Time to Consider the Offer 101
Get the Job Offer in Writing 102
13 Salaries for 795 Occupations 103
Career Resources 120
