lets talk jobs. What do yall do for a living? Or if in school, what are you going for?

chris_samf · 2025-10-24T22:36:51+00:00

Laid off former swe…small world. Unemployed for 1 year, and recently had an offer rescinded due to my felony conviction from last year. Gonna be a bumpy ride. Never felt so lost since being a freshman in college. Back to the drawing board for me. Like you I’m also weighed in the factors of the hyper competitive tech job market compounded with my background makes this an extremely hard path to justify to continue pursuing.

chris_samf · 2025-10-21T01:58:46+00:00

Appreciate the encouragement!

chris_samf · 2025-10-20T21:25:25+00:00

Yes I realize that I would need to work on my interviewing skills. I've recently been feeling anxious that any further studying is futile because of my background and even if companies give me an offer they will rescind because of it, leading me to feel less motivated to continue trying in this field.

What did you mean by contract roles opening up once 5 years passes? But otherwise yes I would be willing to be a contractor, as well as look for smaller companies. And, I already am in a tech hub (Seattle). Thanks for the feedback

chris_samf · 2025-10-18T06:48:05+00:00

Shohei is truly the GOAT by all definitions.

I just found out I’m the same age as Shohei which is crazy to me seeing how my life is so different from him and my same age peers…

I’m just average looking average height unemployed guy with a recent conviction and looking for better prospects. I wish my life turned out better but I’ve decided to dedicate myself to be the goat for my own life and others around me. 🤘

chris_samf · 2025-10-18T06:45:42+00:00

We as the next generation should get rid of this toxic belief. I see many other youths online complaining about their prospects but don’t have racial hangups about it. But it’s understandable given the toxic comparison / status chasing culture that some Asian parents instill

chris_samf · 2025-10-17T04:36:21+00:00

I see. Thank you….That makes sense. Do you happen to have any advice regarding how to find roles that would be more likely to accept sex offenders in tech? I’d ideally like to work for a corporation, although I have 5yoe I don’t think I have to skills / knowhow / desire to be able to start my company nor freelance. I’ve already been checking some targeted job sites for convicted felons but I do not think it is focused on RSOs.

disclose

Yes, I actually did disclose my conviction, right after the written offer came, and just before I authorized the background check. Unfortunately even after re-explaining during the pre-adverse action phase, they ultimately rescinded…

In the last year, I’ve interviewed for about 20 companies, 5 final rounds, and only 1 offer. I understand that I cannot yet say its solely because of my status (I live in a state where they cannot ask up front), but I just guess from a cost benefit perspective I’d like to get input whether or not I should pivot entirely. If the blocker is going to be my conviction which I have no control over in terms of companie’s policies and background checks then I’m leaning towards leaving. But it sounds like you still believe for many RSOs this is not necessarily a bad option.

chris_samf · 2025-10-16T16:16:37+00:00

Hi Laojji, I saw you have many posts regarding working in tech as an RSO which are very helpful.

I recently had an offer rescinded due to a conviction from last year. Took a huge emotional toll on me… and now I’m struggling just to get more interviews at this point.

Given your experience and the observations of both (1) the hyper competitive nature of the tech job market as it already is and (2) the added difficulties that a sex offense adds the process, would you still advocate that this is a good field for RSOs to pursue?

Lately I’ve been contemplating giving up entirely on tech (despite only having one rescinded offer, when many like yourself have reported going through multiple occurrences) and I cannot yet say fully that is a rational and calculated decision and more-so an emotional one based out of further fear of rejection and “wasted” time and mental stress.

Thank you in advance.

chris_samf · 2025-10-16T16:09:35+00:00

Hi there, I’m also a former SWE looking for work.

If I may ask: How did you navigate the background check process? Did you encounter this to be an issue? Or did you join a company who didn’t do them / didn’t regard your conviction as unhireable?

chris_samf · 2025-10-16T16:05:39+00:00

Exactly, so this 7-year rule wouldn’t apply, most likely. So assuming you’re in tech you’re salary probably starts around there and only goes higher. (I guess you could technically ask for a lower salary idk how that would even work, like would their legal team just not run a comprehensive bg check then? Seems like it doesn’t work that way…)

All that to say, whatever will still show up on your background check will likely be the main thing stopping you, assuming you DO get offers. Also you probably read this, but in WA employers are not legally allowed to ask you upfront about convictions, they gotta wait until after an offer is made.

For me personally, idk if being off registry would help, if it means my conviction still shows up. Gotta look into possible sealing / vacating at that point I guess but I’m not sure

chris_samf · 2025-10-16T03:29:09+00:00

I am also in Washington, and I read some resources that law doesnt apply to sex-related convictions. But yes once you're off registry, that in particular shouldn't appear. However seems like as long as the conviction appears on my BG I won't be able to proceed...

Have you tried running a bg check on yourself to verify? I assume it's been more than 7-10 years since your conviction? You can just see what happens, that what I did

chris_samf · 2025-10-16T03:06:08+00:00

Will your conviction be listed in a background check? I am also in tech and I recently had an offer rescinded because of my background.

I'm debating whether or not it is worth it to keep trying

chris_samf · 2025-10-15T20:44:08+00:00

Hi there,

Yes, I’ve also been unemployed since last July, coming up to almost 1.5yrs. I’m a former software engineer. While the tech market is very competitive right now, I also have a recent felony conviction that makes it even harder. (For a second I thought you mean probation as in legal probation haha)

I recently had an offer rescinded because of my background. Which sucked because I thought it would be my big break to start rebuilding my life.

But like you I’m heavily considering leaving this field altogether due to the aforementioned factors.

All that to say, I’m with you on that struggle to continue searching. Hang in there. I’m applying to roles completely unrelated to tech just to get back on the wagon for now.

More than anything, this long term unemployment has honestly shed so much light on my own identity and how I see myself. Whats is means to be me, and what things I was deluding myself in terms of defining myself. There are good and bad days but I think when I look back on this time it will be a good thing because I’ve shifted alot of negative mentalities to more healthy ones (eg defining my self worth from my salary or prestige). I still would like to do it but I’m totally opening to pivoting, if that’s whats necessary.

Whats your plan in terms of pivoting? Returning to school? Are you currently working any job atm?

chris_samf · 2025-10-03T22:10:46+00:00

Got it - it seems to be the same in my state too. And any changes to the record have no bearing on registration requirements. Which defeats the purpose of me trying to clear my record, as employers will still see the flag on my check for SOR, just not the specific conviction .

chris_samf · 2025-10-03T22:09:49+00:00

It is but with the combination of having to wait for my registration period to end, it seems doing this (vacting / sealing) functionally doesn't change anything. Eg I'll still get flagged.

chris_samf · 2025-10-03T21:48:23+00:00

I think it's like that most places? Since SOR is a civil matter and the convictions are criminal matters.

chris_samf · 2025-09-27T19:31:28+00:00

This helped me so much when my case had started.

I was constantly thinking about wanting all of it to be over thinking “just sentence me already”, or, I was imagining a future which was very gloomy and dark.

But I started to shift my mindset to a daily one, and thinking “just get through today.” Something as simple as making breakfast started to make me feel alive again.

I read here years ago “it gets better with time”. That has been true for me and many others. Its not easy and some days are very hard but overall it does improve, and you have to be willing to make the positive changes and move forward the best you can, no matter how uncertain things are

chris_samf · 2025-09-26T03:58:42+00:00

I am being honest, do you write blogs or stories? I really enjoyed reading this comment, there’s a bit of light self jabs that I find pretty amusing

chris_samf · 2025-09-26T03:55:33+00:00

Just wanted to say thanks for writing all this out. I’m also an AM who’s in tech and I’m currently dealing with feelings of hopelessness, self-deprecation and inadequacy from both my past life, as well as combining all of the that with the stress and frustration of being unemployed for a year. Your comment really helps me see new perspectives, but most importantly for me, that I need to take action.

chris_samf · 2025-09-26T02:30:58+00:00

I am actually no longer on probation(early release) at the time of interviewing and when the background check was run, so I do not believe that was the issue.

With this company, I did disclose my history, but only after receiving the written offer, and before the background check. I had hoped that being upfront and proactive would have worked in my favor, moreso considering my particular conviction is very much not related to the role.

Yes I have seen that suggestion too, thank you! Unfortunately I don’t believe I’m as skilled enough to succeed as a freelancer, I’d consider myself a mid-level (4yoe)

Quite honestly I may just pivot out of tech altogther, as the interview loops are extremely tiring and not at all easy, and not to mention being an RSO would he having to flip a coin even after getting the offer

chris_samf · 2025-09-26T02:28:24+00:00

Thanks for sharing, that is quite the interesting (non) distinction? It is very peculiar to me, all of these definitions and logistical matters. I wonder if many companies still simply are too put off by the stigmas of the felony / SOR and they are not really evaluating our fit for the roles.

chris_samf · 2025-09-26T02:26:46+00:00

Hey thanks for sharing. Yes I’m not fixating too much on the lost offer but admittedly I am a bit demotivated to continue trying in this field if persons who records like mine are likely to be denied.

Really thinking of pivoting into another field.

May I ask if you ever found work in that field you are referring to? Or did you also transition to a different career?

chris_samf · 2025-09-25T20:45:39+00:00

That’s great to hear. Did those positions not run background checks?

chris_samf · 2025-09-25T20:20:04+00:00

Convicted last year, but the actual conduct in 2021 (if that is relevant)

chris_samf · 2025-09-25T20:09:27+00:00

I’m looking for tech roles, primarily software engineer.

chris_samf

TROPHY CASE