Getting a Job In Prison: The Persistance That Opens Doors

Michael Hynes writes about getting a job in prison and how persistence, discipline, and attitude matter more than connections or luck. Through his own experience — and the success of a friend who applied the same principles after release — he shows how showing up, working hard, and refusing to quit can land you a great job behind bars and build the mindset to succeed in the free world.

Ever wonder how some people always have great jobs in prison?

It’s like every time you bump into a particular inmate at another prison, they almost always have a great job. Or if they just arrived, it’s like no time at all before they land one — even when the number of available jobs is nowhere near commensurate with the population. In fact, it’s usually such a low number that you’re probably thinking, “WTF?!”

Some people assume that inmate is a certified ___ (fill in the blank), but that’s not necessary.

Others think the person must have solid references — someone from their previous prison calling ahead and saying, “Hey, you’ve got a really good orderly coming your way. Get him and you won’t regret it.” That’s a very rare occurrence, and also unnecessary.

Then there are those who assume something more sinister is involved — illegal activity or snitching. Not only is that unnecessary, but more often than not, those things lead to very bad outcomes for the inmate. And if caught, they lose any chance at getting good jobs in the future because they can’t be trusted.

I’m here to let you in on a few little-known, well-kept secrets. Now the cat is out of the bag.

What Getting a Job in Prison Really Takes

Ironically, these same principles can be applied in the free world to get and maintain a great job — even if you’re completely unqualified — and to achieve legitimate success, as you’re about to see.

My friend Rob asked me one day, “Lupo, how do you always get and keep a great job? Especially when it’s nearly impossible for anyone to get a job at all?”

“Well,” I told him, “persistence and dedication.”

“What do you mean?” he asked.

“I persistently show up, making it clear that I’m here to do the job, while simultaneously demonstrating dedication to completing it. My actions show that I deserve the position and that I’m willing to go the extra mile to accomplish the company’s goals.”

He wanted an explanation. Here’s what he got.

Persistance: Showing Up Anyway

A long time ago, I wanted a job on the maintenance crew at the prison where I was housed. I had the knowledge but seriously lacked experience. I followed the two inmates who worked maintenance to the spot where they waited for their supervisor to pick them up.

Naturally, they were curious — who I was, why I was there, whether I’d been assigned to their crew, and most importantly, whether one of their jobs was in jeopardy.

I just stood there and ignored them. Maybe rude, but I couldn’t afford distractions or let them plant doubt in my mind.

When the boss arrived, I walked straight up to him and introduced myself like I owned the place.

“Good morning, sir. My name is Michael Himes, and I’m your new orderly.”

He looked surprised. “Nobody told me I’d been assigned a new orderly. I’ve got a full crew already. When were you assigned?”

“With all due respect, sir,” I replied confidently, “I haven’t been assigned yet — but you’re going to get me assigned.”

He chuckled. “I don’t do the hiring, only the firing. When the people responsible assign you, then come back. If I need you, I’ll use you. Until then, you’re in an unauthorized area.”

“Yes, sir,” I said, and walked away.

The next day, I was there bright and early. Same exchange. Same result.

The next day — same thing.

The following day, I was warned that if I showed up again, I’d be sent to “The Box” (solitary confinement in Florida).

That Monday, I showed up.

How to Keep the Job Once You Get It

And I went to The Box.

Two weeks later, I got out. And guess where I went?

Right back.

No malice. Good attitude. Ready to work.

And guess what happened?

He hired me.

Rob then asked, “Okay, but how do you keep the job if you don’t have the qualifications or experience?”

“Dedication to completing the job with above-satisfactory performance,” I told him. “I focus solely on the task at hand. No distractions. No complaints, no matter how much I may dislike something. And most importantly, I complete tasks as quickly and efficiently as possible so I can move on to the next.”

Rob was eventually released.

From Prison Job to $120,000 a Year

While living in a homeless shelter, he applied this same mindset in his job search.

He would arrive before the person opening the business. He greeted them confidently, as if they were the one who would hire him. If they didn’t, he left respectfully — and came back the next day to do it again.

One day, he was invited into a restaurant.

The owner said, “Do you know how hard it is to get my regular employees here on time? You don’t even work here, and you’re here before me every day. Do you know how to set tables?”

“Yes, sir,” Rob said. “I know how to set tables — but I don’t know how you want THESE tables set. Show me once, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Fifteen minutes later, Rob had done what normally took the owner forty-five minutes.

They sat down and talked.

“You ever been a manager before?”

“No,” Rob replied. “But you show me what you want, and I’ll do whatever it takes.”

Within a month, Rob was managing that location.

Within seven months, he was a general manager.

A year later, he was a district manager over eight general managers and nearly 100 sites, earning $120,000 a year before taxes.

All of that was possible because he learned how to get and keep a great job in prison — from a guy who had never held a legitimate job on the outside.

The post Getting a Job In Prison: The Persistance That Opens Doors first appeared on Prison Writers.