The Blue Collar Blueprint: Getting Hired With a Record
Construction, Trades, and the Art of the "Second Chance."
The Bottom Line: Finding work with a record is tough, but the "Help Wanted" signs don't care about your past—they care if you show up.
Stop applying for corporate desk jobs that require 3 background checks. Pivot to industries where work ethic is the only currency that matters. If you have boots, a vest, and a pulse, you can make money in Ontario right now.
WHERE TO LOOK (THE TARGET LIST)
1. The Trades (Your Best Bet)
Construction, roofing, landscaping, and general labour.
Why: These guys are desperate for reliability. If you show up 15 minutes early and don't look at your phone, you are already in the top 10%.
The Move: Do not email resumes. Go to the site or the shop in person, wearing work boots, ready to start that day.
2. Specialized "Dirty" Work
Waste management, demolition, industrial cleaning.
Why: High turnover means they are always hiring. It’s hard work, but it pays cash and builds a resume.
3. Kitchens & Hospitality
Back-of-house (Dishwasher, Prep Cook).
Why: Kitchens are the pirate ships of the workforce. They don't care where you came from, only if you can handle the heat during a rush.
THE STRATEGY (HOW TO LAND IT)
“⚠️ WARNING: The Temp Agency Trap
Temp agencies can be a good quick fix for cash, but they are often a dead end. They take a cut of your hourly rate and offer zero job security.
My Advice: Use them for emergency cash only. While you are working the temp job, keep hunting for a direct hire with a real company. You want benefits and a pension, not a day-pass.”
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A blank resume with a gap looks bad. A resume with WHMIS and Working at Heights looks like you are ready to work.
Tip: Spend $50–$100 on these basic safety tickets. It proves you are serious about safety, which is an employer's biggest fear with "second chance" guys.
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You don't have to lie, but you don't have to overshare.
If asked about the gap: "I had some personal issues that took me out of the workforce, but they are resolved. I’ve spent the last [X] months getting my safety tickets and getting fit so I can work hard."
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Most trades apps don't even ask. If they do:
Be Strategic: Do not disclose unless asked directly.
Be Honest: If asked, own it. "Yes, I have a record from a few years ago. That part of my life is over. I am looking for a place to work hard and prove myself."
THE TOOLKIT
Nervous About the Interview?
The hardest question isn't "Can you do the job?"—it's "So, tell me about yourself."
If you don't know how to answer that without looking at your feet, we need to talk. I help men craft their story so they walk into interviews with their heads up.