Finding a job is tough when you have an arrest record or prior conviction. We know you're frustrated about trying to get your life straight and facing so many obstacles. While we can't tell you what job to apply for or who can hire you, we want to share the most important thing you can do as you begin your job search: tell the truth.
You probably dread seeing the "Have you been convicted...." question on every job application you've filled out. It's tempting to lie, but the probability that you will get caught is extremely high. Studies show that nearly 80 percent of employers will do some sort of background check (including criminal history). Some may do a background check before you're hired, and some will run the check after you've been offered the job. No matter when they do it, if you lie on your application and the employer finds out, they can and will fire you immediately. So be honest, and keep these five things in mind.
1. Read the question carefully
Make sure you give the employer exactly what they're asking you for. Is the application asking you to list any previous arrests? Or just felonies and misdemeanors? Does it ask you for specific details about the offense? Don't leave out important details - but don't write down the parking ticket you got in 1993 unless the employer asks for it.
2. Know your record
If you're asked to explain your criminal history, you'll need to know exactly what your violations were. If your only violations are misdemeanors, you can typically obtain a copy of your record from your local police. If your violations were felonies, you'll need to contact the state police. If you aren't sure, start local and they'll let you know.
3. Be specific
If an employer asks what your convictions were, use the information on the record that you obtained from the police to answer the question. Be as brief as possible and be sure to offer to explain more completely in an interview. The application is not the place to plead your innocence.
4. List the good stuff too
Be sure to list all positive, relevant work experience you've acquired either before or after your conviction. If you worked or received training while incarcerated, you may want to list this information in your work experience.
5. Know what you're signing
Almost every paper job application will ask you to sign and date it. The actual language on your application will be something like: "I certify that all of the statements on this application form made by me are true, complete and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief, and are made in good faith. I understand that any misrepresentation of information shall be sufficient cause for rejecting my application, withdrawing of any offer of employment, or terminating my employment."
Signing your application is a binding agreement between you and your potential employer, and by agreeing you are promising you haven't lied. The last sentence literally means that they can throw out your application, take away any offer to hire you, and if you're already hired, they can fire you. It's hefty stuff, and the best thing to do is tell the truth, no matter what.
One last note: Stay positive! It's hard not to take it personally when you don't get a job, but you need to understand that many employers simply can't hire employees who have criminal backgrounds. Typically this has something to do with potential liability (the fact that they could be sued) if there is a repeat offense. If you have a felony, you may also be barred from jobs in government, healthcare or childcare (to name a few examples).
So you may have to knock on far more doors to get a job offer, but in the end it will be worth it. You will get a fresh start and the opportunity to prove that you've moved past your conviction. And keeping a positive attitude and telling the truth is the only way to get there.
About Amy White
Does Snagajob hire felons?
They should – this article would have been much more informative if they did!
I was recently offered a job and hired at a corporation that I lied about my prior convictions. I started on Monday, worked until Thursday, and Friday when I came in, my background and drug test results were back. I passed the drug test, but the background check had me in a bind, and I was forced to be terminated. My employer told me that had I been honest on my application, I MAY have still got the job due to my attire and interview, as well as including past work experience. The reason, in his words, his “hands are tied” because corporate knew that I had FALSIFIED INFORMATION. Had I not done that, then I may still be employed with this company. He hated it, because he saw how fast I was catching on, told me that he thought I’d be a great employee for him and his company, but unfortunately due to the falsifying info, I could not be retained as an employee. Know your businesses. Some background check, some don’t. If it seems they will, then feel free to lie (though wrong), but if you feel they really will undergo a background check, then honesty is truly the best policy.
My guess is that the author of this, Amy White, does not have a criminal record. That would explain why her advice is useless and incorrect.
In the future, read something like this:
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/SCLP/2011/65_Million_Need_Not_Apply.pdf?nocdn=1
and then proceed to give advice that will actually help people.
Honesty is NOT the best policy, because a nation of frightened and ignorant people are excluding 1/4 of the population from decent jobs right on the application. I’d much rather “run the risk” of getting fired when/IF the CBC comes back and they find something, than have my application tossed in the trash before I even get an interview.
If you have a criminal record, YOU LIE ON EVERY APPLICATION YOU FILL OUT FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, because the law is not on your side (not yet, and probably, not ever) – it is on the side of the business. So, you get fired 4-5 times for lying on your application before you come across that company that doesn’t check or doesn’t do a thorough enough check and you end up establishing yourself with that company.
Until the people in this country finally WAKE UP and realize that CBC use is discriminatory, is NOT reflective of actual statistical evidence with regard to recidivism, and is part of the reason why recidivism rates are so high to begin with, then the potential employee with the criminal record has two choices – a dead-end minimum wage job that no one can live off of, much less a family, or LIE on a document (the application) that is immoral to begin with simply for ASKING the question – or, you can move to Philadelphia!
Truer words could not be spoken David. I have a bad check conviction from 1999. I filled out some applications with the truth about the conviction and was immediately told I could not be hired. I’ve sworn never to be truthful about it again. Only once has an employer found it. In this job market where there are hundreds of people applying for every open position that pays over $10/hour, you WILL MOST LIKELY NOT GET AN INTERVIEW IF YOU STATE YOU PLED GUILTY OR HAVE A CONVICTION!!! My advice, move out of the state where you were convicted and do not mention having lived in that state on your application, if possible!
James, do not believe for one second that they would have hired you if you had been truthful about your criminal history. MOST LIKELY, they would have tossed your application/resume directly in the trash and your name would have been permanently added to their corporate database as “Unemployable due to criminal history”.
Yeah basically this is all terrible information and completely wrong. The only jobs that don’t run back round checks are food industry jobs if you’re LUCKY. Any sort of corporation non franchised, will run back round checks. I cannot tell you how many times Ive lost jobs due to my back round. Hey I’m telling you the truth here, take me for example, i have 0 felonies.. but look at this. I have a D.U.I. / Possession of cannibus / possession of alcohol / Tampering with an unidentified vehicle <— false charge but on record believe me or not i dont care your opinion on someone and a situation you don't know about.. but wait there is more.. Assault with a deadly weapon, Resisting arrest 2x , evading and eluding police.
Oh OK so these are actually all misdemeanors. Even when i apply for U.P.S. they ask.. Do you have any felonies, i say no.. i get an interview and a tour and they say i get the job, and they will call me when i start.. OK. 2 weeks later, no body calls me, so i call them, and they said unfortunately some of the things on my record still disqualify me from getting the job.
Im only 23 years old, but all this happened when i was under 18 but the court system took soo long that i was finally finished with my convictions after i did a 2 year probation. so i finished when was barely out of my 20's.. just even get charged with being sentenced to minimal jail time and probation took a year in its self. So 18 to 19, 2 year probation turned 21 when i finally finished.. Got kicked out of my house during all this, ended up homeless and sleeping in cars if i was lucky. Not eating for 3 days at a time.. I'll be 23 may 30th..
You tell me how you don't sound ignorant Amy.
Dont say the word fafsa, dont say college, dont say staffing companies. I don't qualify for grants or loans and staffing companies do back round checks. I don't have a car. So tell me my options please.
Yeah- beat it “AMY”. I’m a 38 yr old middle class college educated white woman- and just got convicted of felony 3 (aggravated battery- on a police clerk) and DUI (my second 1). I am now jobless, license less, no car, broke- and I had to move back in with my father. I had a situation that just was overdone. Yeah, I know -excuses excuses. But I kicked the woman restraining me (an office clerk) – and she milked it completely for paid time off. It is nowhere in my character to have had a few cocktails turn into that. My fault- I get that. My point is, I am normally a poster of a good ole Irish girl with a good upbringing- And I will now not be able to work in healthcare with these CBC’s.
Yeah, take one look at me- you’d never know it. But the piece of paper saying I’m this horrible human being is ruining my life. I am now a convicted Felon- and I’m only 2 months into my 3 yr probation and all the BS that goes with it. As if that’s not enough- 70 days of service and 75 hours of classes. And now I won’t be able to find work- Who hires a 38 yr old woman criminal?????? NOBODY- I almost wish I was a guy.