The Justice-Involved Elevator Pitch

A few weeks ago I explained what an elevator pitch is and how it can elevate your future. There is another type of elevator pitch that explains your justice involvement to others in a positive way to overcome any negative assumptions. 

Over ten years ago I served time at Leavenworth Federal Prison camp for “Making a False Statement” and stupidly misusing SBA loan proceeds. It cost me my career and life savings. I successfully rebuilt my life and am dedicated to helping others in and out of prison rebuild their lives, a business, or both. My books the Reentry Success Series, Illegal to Legal, and Raising Up the Champion Within You have helped thousands have hope and know the steps to take for a new life. 

Why have a justice-involved elevator pitch? 

The two hardest days of my life were the day I went to prison and the day I left. Getting a job with a record is one of the hardest things most people will ever do. Renting an apartment or house, or dating a new person, can be just as challenging. 

I’m convinced that succeeding in my life post-prison, elevator pitches are the best way to explain your history in a non-threatening way. 

Isn’t it better to lie about my past, or not talk about it at all?

No. You can’t avoid it. In our internet age, anyone can quickly do an ONLINE  SEARCH of your name and see your charges or your past.  Instead of lying, get caught telling the TRUTH. You’ll build credibility and respect because of it. You will get fired for lying about your justice involvement, but you won’t get fired for telling the truth. 

What’s the best way to discuss my past?

I like to use the Doctor Example to model how to make an elevator pitch to explain your justice involvement, or bad news. Hopefully, you’ve never had a doctor tell you bad news. The doctor is legally obligated to tell you the truth, not just what you want to hear.  They use an approach that’s direct and ends with either solutions or what your options are.

Here’s how a doctor gives bad news:

• They are direct and get to the point. Imagine ripping a bandaid off as quickly as possible. 
• They aren’t emotional. 
• They don’t make excuses about it. 
• They try to offer solutions at the same time to soften the blow and to focus on the future.

Sometimes it’s difficult being direct or telling the complete truth. I learned the hard way that the things that we do to avoid problems or embarrassment are worse than just dealing with them. 

How much detail is needed in your elevator pitch? 

Using the Doctor’s Example, and peeling off the bandaid quickly, a good doctor tells you bad news in a way that you understand what they are saying, not just in technical terms.  

Some people may be surprised when they learn about your justice involvement. Don’t let that bother you.  You can cure their shock with an elevator pitch designed to prove your past is in the past.

What evidence can you give to prove that your past is in the past?

If your justice involvement was related to an addiction that you had, you could say something like:

I struggled with drugs (or alcohol, or both)  for years, and it affected my reasoning. I made serious mistakes and am more than sorry for the damage I did. After hitting rock bottom, and paying my debt to society in jail, I determined I would do whatever it takes to stay sober and not go back to my old life.  I’ve received treatment and am active in my recovery group and church. I’ve been sober for “X” years (or months, or weeks, etc.). I’m sorry for what I did, but not ashamed because I was strong enough to overcome that and I’m well on my way to rebuild a new life. 

Another example:

I was a crack addict, and when I was young I broke the law to support my habit. I knew drugs and breaking the law were wrong, but for the longest time I was powerless to change. Going to prison gave me the wake-up call I needed to leave that life in the dumpster where it belongs. I’ve received treatment and am active in my recovery group and church. I’ve been sober for “X” years (or months, or weeks, etc.). I volunteer at the Shelter helping lead their Recovery Group to help give others the hope that since I’m clean and started over, they can too. 

If you don’t have a lot of evidence, or a long track record of success yet, focus on what you’re doing now and your effort. Live your life in a way to make evidence that proves your past is in the past.

Your justice involved elevator pitch needs to:

• Be sincere.
• In your own words.
• Have specific examples of how you put your past in the past. 

Let’s start by working on the elements to help you make your justice-involved elevator pitch. 

We will use, and adjust, the same format of elevator pitches, as you can see:

• WHO are you? (What was your charge, or your mistake, etc.?)
• WHAT did you do, or what are you doing, to put your past in the past?
• WHAT do you want to accomplish by sharing this elevator pitch? (Get a job, get an 
• apartment, help others, etc.) 

Most people believe in second chances. Maybe the person you’re talking with is someone, or knows someone, that had a second chance. People will give you a second chance if you can prove that you are ready for your second chance.