Some states (like Nevada) have programs that give what amounts to money (tax incentives, tax breaks mostly) to employers who take on ex-felons as employees. The trick is that YOU will have to find out if such programs exist and then bring it to the attention of the prospective employer. The Employment Department (the place that hands out unemployment checks) would be the best place to start to find out if there are such programs where you live. Some states also bond ex-felons when other companies refuse to do it. Its a gamble that most companies will not take. the Employment Department is where you should check as well. Since you are going to the Employment Department you might as well look there for a job. There are few employers who do go out of their way to hire ex-cons, parolees, etc. Those who do or exclusively do will goo through the state employment agency. If you were a bank robber forget working in a bank. The Crime or the nature of the crime will have a huge impact on what you can and can not do as a job. Sadly our society has Jails and Prisons as 'punishment' however society doesn't stop there - we (society) appears to love punishing people, even when they have served their time. This is going to be a problem you need too adjust to. This problem you are running into is why so many excons and parolees fail and return for a second or even third term. Some Churches have taken it upon themselves to help especially in those states where there is little to no help. You might have to end up taking a job beneath your station in life for a while, after 7 years your application does not have to show any arrests crimes - thus the question is 'in the past 7 years have you....?'