Untapped Talent: How Second Chance Hiring Works for Your Business and the Community

by Jeffrey D. Korzenik

Tens of millions of people in the U.S. with criminal records are highly talented, reliable, and eager to work. Implement these second chance hiring practices to give your company a significant competitive advantage over those that do not. Researched, tested, and written by the chief investment strategist of one of the country’s leading business banks, Jeffrey Korzenik includes dozens of examples of businesses that have successfully implemented the second chance hiring practices outlined in this book. Korzenik shows those companies that have learned to go beyond the label and to evaluate the qualities of the individual applicant have tapped into an often-overlooked source of loyal and productive talent. In Untapped Talent , you Your path to a loyal, engaged, and productive workforce starts with the clear competitive advantage you’ll gain by implementing the second-chance hiring practices within Untapped Talent .

288 pages, Paperback

Published April 13, 2021

Reviews

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took my time reading this book and it's worth it!

I love how raw and straightforward the content is. It gives you what you expect and what you did not expect at all!

People say such books are just theory. But we got to believe we have to take the best practical tips from such books in order to get the best out of it.

And I sure did.

What's different about this new book?

It focuses on the indifferent scenario of second chance hiring and how it will affect your investment and business.

The updated scenario in today's working system with well explained figures and examples.

Who is this book for?

I would say the language is apt even for beginners, the students and the ones who are at the top of their business/company.

Before you pick up this book, you have to believe you will gain something out of it.

Thank you, HarperCollins Leadership, for the advance reading copy.

The book will not take much of your time. It's easy to follow and will make you understand the core concepts pretty easily.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Korzenik identifies me as the “…intellectually curious member of the general public,” reader of his book and that is certainly true. I am not a business person or entrepreneur seeking to incorporate second chance hiring of people with criminal records into my business model. I was curious for two reasons. One, I’ve seen Korzenik speak on numerous occasions and he’s brilliant at making challenging topics accessible. I assumed the case would be the same here, writing a book about a subject he is very passionate about. Second, it’s because my late brother was a felon and I was curious about the resources that would have been available to him if he had chosen a better path for himself.

More than anything, this book taught me about the many disadvantages of having the black mark of criminality on your record. I also have a better understanding about different types of crimes, sentencing, recidivism, and socioeconomic status that come in to play for people seeking employment who have that black mark. “…in the American justice system, generalities are dangerous and the fact of a record and incarceration must be examined on an individual basis.” Korzenik explores cycles of poverty and addiction, also. He offers demographics, solutions, examples, and a wealth of information about the benefits of hiring former criminals. I didn’t get a whole lot out of the proposed reform chapter, but there are many good resources here.

I would say this book is a great tool for business leaders exploring second chance hiring. Korzenik says it best: “Reducing the stigma of a record and second chance employment are mutually reinforcing.”

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher.

[Zoë Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Business as an avenue for social reform - what’s not to like?

I received this book from the publicist for review. I was delighted with its thorough approach to laying out the background of demographics, prison statistics and the huge challenges facing felons in reintegrating to society. I love the compelling business case for hiring felons too.

But what I liked most was the comprehensive system a business needs to undertake if it is to participate in second chance hiring. It’s holistic and whole of person. Many of the people who find themselves in jail and then leaving it have not been exposed to basic life skills or have strong social networks. This is what second chance hiring can help them with, along with employment.

I’d love to know the long term effect of second chance employment on the next generation - does it break a poverty or crime cycle?

I’ll be reaching out to the author for the Zoe Routh Leadership Podcast.

[Jack Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent & logical arguments written from a purely business centric perspective. Mr. Korzenik states clearly from the beginning that his motives aren't driven by a moralistic compulsion but rather from a very practical position of economic common sense and he makes the case quite well. Thanks to the policies which led to mass incarceration we have effectively removed a large swath of otherwise qualified workers from the work force. While I have considered the moral basis of forgiveness for welcoming returning citizens once they've paid their dues, Jeff Korzenik makes very cogent yet easy to grasp cases for why society must not overlook formerly incarcerated individuals but make a deliberate effort to include this pool of talent in our hiring practices. Kudos!

[Michael Cosgrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jeffrey Korzenik's Untapped Talent offers a new perspective on and justification for second chance hiring. While many people advocate for second chance hiring as a social good (it is!), Korzenik lays the case for why second chance hiring makes good business sense for employers, particularly as we begin to face long-term worker shortages. In addition to making the case for second chance hiring as a sound business proposition, Korzenik offers insights from his experience and case studies of successful second chance employers. He makes the important point that second chance hiring must be approached thoughtfully and with the proper supports in place. This is a valuable read for anyone interested in reentry and second chance hiring, whether from the business perspective or the advocacy perspective.

[Dora Okeyo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was curious to know more about second chance hiring and why the author would advocate for this especially in my context, coming from a country where so many young and old people are struggling to secure employment.
What I learned instead was linked to population of a nation, the GDP, methods of on-board coaching and also sometimes what works and what fails when you are looking to hire someone- I don't know if I got everything the author was sharing in this book, however, I feel more informed than I was before reading it.

Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.

[Paul Rothschild · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book beautifully lays out the business argument for fair chance hiring. Jeff uses scholarly analysis to make an objective assessment of the challenges, obstacles, solutions and benefits. He provides real world examples and a blueprint for in-the-know executives.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable reading for execs who want access to a large and often ignored talent pool. I appreciate the author’s mix of practical advice, data, and compassion.