If you’re reading this, chances are you’re trying to find work, move forward, and do right by yourself and your future. But maybe you’ve got a record, and that label is making things feel impossible. We want you to know something right from the start: You are not alone, and you are not the only one walking this path.
We work with people every week who feel like giving up. Some have done time, some have broken marriages, and so forth. They’ve made mistakes. And now they’re doing everything they can to turn their lives around but the world doesn’t always make it easy. Still, they keep showing up. You’re showing up. And that’s where the journey begins.
Let’s walk through this together, step by step.
Step 1: Let’s Acknowledge the Truth
Finding a job with a criminal record is harder. That’s the reality. Employers can be hesitant. Background checks can feel like barriers. And you might start to wonder, “Why even try?”
We get it and you’re allowed to feel that way. But don’t let that feeling stop you.
What you can’t do is stay stuck there. Because your story isn’t over. Your past doesn’t have to dictate your future. And right here in Orlando, there are people who believe in second chances. We know because we’re one of them.
Step 2: You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
The job search is hard for everyone but when you’ve got a felony or any kind of record, it can feel isolating. Like no one wants to give you a chance. That’s where Cornerstone Connections becomes a lifeline.
We’re based right here in Orlando, and we exist to walk alongside individuals who are rebuilding after incarceration. No judgment. No shame. Just real tools, real guidance, and real relationships.
If you need help writing or fixing your resume…
If you want to practice for interviews and build confidence…
If you need help with getting access to a computer…
If you’re looking for connections to local employers who believe in second chances…
Or even if you just need someone to remind you that you’re not a lost cause…
That’s what we’re here for.
Our Employment Connections program is designed specifically for people in your shoes. We’ll support you through every step of the process, from job readiness training to placement opportunities and mentorship that keeps you grounded.
Step 3: Understand the Playing Field
The good news is that Orlando has jobs. As of spring 2025, our city’s unemployment rate was around 3.3% (source). That means there’s work out there. But the challenge for many returning citizens isn’t availability, it’s access.
That’s where strategy comes in. Here’s how we coach people to approach it:
Focus on industries that tend to be more open to second chances. Jobs in warehousing, logistics, food service, construction, janitorial services, and general labor are often more willing to look past a record if you’re ready to show up and work hard. These roles may not be forever but they’re a real and honest place to start.
Step 4: Telling Your Story Without Getting Stuck In It
One of the biggest challenges is how to talk about your past in interviews. It can feel scary. But here’s the truth: your story matters but how you tell it matters even more.
The key is to be honest, keep it short, and focus on growth.
Here’s a simple starting point:
“I’ve made some mistakes in the past. I’ve served my time and used it as a turning point. Since then, I’ve taken steps to grow through training, volunteering, and staying committed to building a better future. I’m looking for an opportunity to prove what I’m capable of now.”
You need to practice that saying, and say it with confidence. Because your past is part of your story but it is not your whole story.
Step 5: Build a Resume That Tells Employers Who You Really Are
We’ve heard so many people say, “But I don’t have anything to put on a resume.” And to that we say yes, you do.
You may have worked in the kitchen, on a maintenance crew, or handled laundry duties while inside and that’s real work experience. If you earned your GED, took vocational training, or helped others learn, that’s education and leadership. And if you’ve volunteered, been involved in your community, or held any kind of job since your release, that shows commitment, effort, and growth.
All of it matters. And we’ll help you put it together into a resume that tells your story with honesty and strength—so employers can see who you are now, not just where you’ve been.
Step 6: When You Feel Like Quitting—Don’t
There will be days when the job search wears you down. You’ll hear “no.” You’ll get ghosted. You’ll feel like nothing is working.
But please, don’t give up.
Every application you submit is a seed planted. Some won’t grow. But others will. And when that door finally opens, all those hard days will have been worth it.
You are not your charges. You are not your worst moment. You are someone who’s still here, still trying, still pushing for better and that is worth everything. That’s who we see every day at Cornerstone Connections. And that’s exactly who we’re here to serve.
Let’s Take the Next Step Together
If you’re ready to start over or try again, we’re ready to walk with you. We work with individuals from across Orlando and the surrounding areas: Apopka, Pine Hills, Winter Park, and beyond. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been. What matters is where you want to go.
Please visit our Employment Connections program page and contact us via the contact form or directly by phone to see how we can help you in your time of need: https://cornerstoneconnections.org/employment-connections