Question:

For three years, I was stalked by a guy and his family. Until that time, I never even had a parking violation. When he broke into my home, I fought back. I was arrested because "I hit him too." My employer fired me because the guy stalked me at work. I moved to another state. He found me and assaulted me then told my employer that I was a criminal.

I was run off the road by his friend and the police officer who came to the scene was his relative. I was arrested, beaten by the police then charged with 15 crimes. After being in jail for two weeks and feeling that I had no other way out, I took a plea bargain under which 14 of the crimes were dropped in exchange for me pleading guilty to assaulting a police officer.

I went back to work but a police officer called my boss and apartment manager and told them that I was a "crack head" and had a criminal record. I was fired for not disclosing my record on my employment application but the apartment manager helped me get the stalker convicted.

I am now safe but have only been able to find temp work for the past three years. My savings are exhausted. I am a very talented graphic designer and illustrator and interview well, but even when a hiring manager tells me at the end of interview that they'll call me back for second interviews, they don't. What should I do?

First Answer:

Difficult situations often make us stronger, and more creative. In your case, I would start to target small design firms you are interested in working with and make personal contacts before even applying to open positions.

First, create a work portfolio. Include past deisgns, work samples, even letters from clients or customers who have been satisfied with your work, or, professors, teachers or mentors who have been instrumental in your past.

Second, research your current locale to determine small firms in the area offering the type of services that your talents could support. Through your research, find and make contact with professionals in that firm, asking if they'll take some time to give you some career advice and comment on your designs--this is purely a research expedition--you're not handing out your resume or asking for a job. ou can also try local associations for contacts. For example, a quick Google search of marketing associations in Florida, resulted in the local chapter of the American Marketing Association and direct contact information for its officers (who also run small marketing firms).

Third, ask if there is any small or minor work you can do for your contacts for free. You need to gain their trust and credibility. As you do so, you can be honest about your past situation and ask for guidance.

Stop applying directly to jobs where they don't have time in the interview process to gain respect for you and your character. Instead, focus on making more contacts in your field so you already have support when a position becomes open.

-- Susan Strayer, Assistant Director, Career Services, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education at the Johns Hopkins University and founder and President of University and Career Decisions

Second Answer:

Batterers do horrible things to their targets. Damaging their reputation is one of many of the abuses. What you've outlined is one of the scenarios of domestic violence and abuse. Having friends and family members support the batterer is part of the abuser's profile so that they gain support for their atrocities. I'll address that part of your situation later.

You, in fact, were charged with one crime and you did, in fact, spend two weeks in jail. You do have a criminal record that must be disclosed on employment applications. Otherwise, you are subject to immediate termination without notice. Many employment applications have that language somewhere near the bottom of the form. In addition to disclosing the information on your application, you should spend a few minutes during the latter part of your interviews wherein you initiate a discussion about the conviction. Let the interviewer know that the circumstances arose out of domestic abuse, that you are now in a safe place and your stalker/abuser is long out of your life.

Obviously, what I'm saying is you should continue to interview and compete for opportunities. Also consider telecommute situations. One of the things you want to emphasize most is your extreme talent. Compile a portfolio of your work and take the portfolio with you on your interviews. Also put your portfolio on the web and include the URL on your resume. There are many free spaces on the Web. Research the company for which you'll be interviewing and bring up one or two issues you think you could offer in areas where they are seeking improvement. [This, by the way, means you ask the interviewer what they think about such and such on their web site. If they're not happy about it, offer a thumbnail sketch about how you could help them with that issue.]

When I initially read your question, I thought you said your stalker contacted your employer and defamed you by disclosing false information. In the case of being a crack head, you can offer to submit to a drug screening. You can also point out your past employment record and the lack of erratic conduct, frequent absences, and no history of on-the-job accidents.

Because I thought you were defamed, I contacted a representative of background checking company PeopleWise to ask for their recommendation about erroneous employment references. One of the things suggested was when an employer terminates because of an alleged undisclosed criminal record, you can ask for a copy of the background check (you have a right to it). It will be mailed to you. If you find that it contains incorrect information, you can go to the court where the record exists and ask how to correct the information.

As to the other matters regarding domestic abuse and battery, your employer should not have terminated you because of the stalking. It was their duty to implement higher security measures to protect you, your fellow co-workers and the employer's customers. If you ever endure another abusive situation, make certain you report and record the incidents. Get a restraining order against the abuser/stalker. If your state offers a confidential address program (as California used to do), ask to be included in the program. Make certain your address and personal information are kept confidential.

Back to your career. Be upbeat. Be positive. Be confident. Express your creativity. And may all your Entrances be through the doors of success.

-- Yvonne LaRose, career and professional development coach, Career and Executive Recruiting Advice

Third Answer:

Note that CollegeRecruiter.com provides a wizard that candidates can use to create free on-line portfolios. Just select that option when you post or update your resume.

-- Steven Rothberg, President and Founder of CollegeRecruiter.com

Career Videos