Get Beyond Your Troubled Past

You're Not Looking For A Job, You're Looking For A Person

By John Jeffrey Lundell

A Guide for the Background-Challenged Job Seeker

Have you been through prison, rehab, or an abusive relationship? This book is for you. Get Beyond Your Troubled Past is a bold, practical guide for those who’ve faced serious life challenges and are ready to reclaim their future.

Forget the traditional job search playbook. Social media, resume perfection, and algorithmic filters are designed to exclude you. This book shows you how to bypass those traps and connect with the one person who can change everything: the right employer.

What You’ll Learn

Why the modern job search is stacked against you—and how to flip the script

How to identify and reach out to the person who can hire you

Step-by-step strategies to rebuild your confidence and your career

Real-world advice for navigating stigma, rejection, and self-doubt

Who This Book Is For

Formerly incarcerated individuals

Survivors of addiction or abuse

Anyone with a background challenge seeking meaningful work

Allies, mentors, and professionals supporting reentry and recovery