I recently quit the job I'd worked for over a decade. I was a millwright. Lots of welding at heights exceeding 100'. Crane and other heavy equipment operating. Very mechanical. The kind of thing I excel at. Anyway, I started at the company months after it's founding, but I was eventually brought to my decision through blatant disregard for safety, and due to the thought that if the owner is cutting potentially life-saving corners and not directly compensating me with the savings, then I'm being double fucked. I was making $22/hr. Pathetic for my skillset, and the demand of the job.
I walked away without a plan. Expenses have been somewhat covered, and I live a very simple, frugal life, but ultimately I've gotta land a job. I'm a felon. I should iterate that I have an extensive criminal background, but it's over a decade old, although probably very relevant to most employers. I'm not above starting at the bottom, and I decided I want out of the industrial trades. I live in a rural area without much work and have been trying for a particular dishwasher position thinking I'd be a shoo-in. However, after two weeks, and several unreturned messages, I'm beginning to think I was mistaken. I began investigating whether being overqualified may hinder applicants from particular positions, and it seems to be a valid concern in some scenarios. I'm just curious what everyone's thoughts were, or maybe some advice? Maybe it's my criminal record, and if so am I doomed to step away from industrial trades because of it?