What do I do if I can't get a decent job due to criminal history/poor reputation?

[Anonymous]

I am 28 and made some poor choices in the past. I have lost 2 well-paying jobs due to poor reputation and poor judgement outside the workplace. I won't elaborate, but within the past 6 years, I managed to get in trouble twice. These situations were not related to work, but once my employers found out, they all terminate me.

I don't know what to do anymore. I don't have career stability.

I have knocked out most public-facing jobs due to my history. I am a software engineer, but even employers don't want to hire me in this line of work. What is left for me?

Updates

+1 y

Could use some useful feedback on this one.

[horatiohornblower]

Do they do all the background checks in your field if you are an independent contractor? You could start your own business and be a 1099 worker. Working gigs until the project is done or specified contract lengths. There’s pros and cons going this route.

[Guy13]

Can you criminal get removed? What did attorney say?

[Anonymous]

Are you good at manual labor, carpentry, landscaping, indoor or outdoor house painting etc, or another trade and go into business for yourself? I guess I don’t really know what else.

[Asker]

I am working on some personal coding projects I hope to release soon, but there is no guarantee it will generate sufficient money for me.

[Opinion Owner]

If you’re in the U. S. maybe check with small business administration www.sba.gov they have people that could maybe help you become self employed with your own business.

[Anonymous]

Look into attending a trade school.

[Asker]

I am good at coding. Why can't I use the trade I already have?

[Opinion Owner]

Not saying you can’t.