Robin asks:
"I have been applying for several (job's on & off snag-a-job) and have gotten interviews. All the apps ask about convictions for felonies and misdemeanors. l currently have a misdemeanor from 2008 and I always disclose it. At the interviews they act like they didn't see my answer and then when the subject comes up the interview is over. So, I tried a different approach and started disclosing the fact that I have one and a copy of my background check. I offer to provide them with a copy, say I'm available to openly discuss during an interview. Since trying that approach, no interviews. The conviction is an assault charge, which I know is a person to person crime and looked down upon heavily, but mine is from a fight with my younger sister.? My question: Will anyone ever hire me? If it was any other crime or a felony, I'd be working."
Hi Robin,
I’m sorry to hear about your job search struggles. Prior to coming to Snagajob, I worked with people with misdemeanors and felonies on their records search for jobs.
The short answer to your question is: Yes, someone will hire you. Here are two tips from my experience that might help you find get that “yes”.
First, your initial approach seems like it was getting you better results so I would stick with the approach that landed you interviews. I would also suggest that you leave your background check at home. Once you hand it over, employers are probably stuck reading it instead of listening to what you have to say.
Second, when the subject comes up in the interview, there is a three-part answer to questions related to the misdemeanor on your record. I’ve seen a lot of people find success using this method.
How to answer questions about your record:
1.What happened
Briefly describe what happened. You don’t need to go into too much detail. Employers are looking to see if you accept responsibility for what happened.
2.What you did while incarcerated
Did you take any classes or programs? If you weren’t incarcerated or your time was too short to participate in any programs, what did you do to better yourself and your situation? Did you volunteer in the community? Did you reconcile with your sister? Take anger management classes? Employers are looking to see if you took the opportunity to make the best out of a bad situation.
3.What you are doing now
Are you still volunteering in the community? Are you furthering your education? What positive activities are you currently involved in? Employers are looking to see if you have truly learned from your mistake and are moving on with your life. Their biggest concern is history repeating itself. Give them reason to believe that the mistake you made is not who you are.
I hope these tips will help you in your job search.
Good luck!
*Image credit: steakpinball on Flickr
About Justin Ihara
I got a class III felony back in 2001 and it has followed me to this very day. A lot of applications say “past 7 years” for a record, but more and more companies are doing background checks.
Luckily for me, I can finally get my record expunged. The lawyer is $1,000 where I live and takes 8-12 months for it to finally come off your record. Once that happens, I hope I will have my education finished and I can finally move forward with my life.
wtf is a class III felony?
Felonies come in classes 1 2 and 3 each number describes the severity of the felony and what sort of weight it carries during sentencing
What more do you need to know about me?
Its degrees not classes
I was convicted on a felony back in 2001 in california. After I served my time I was hired at a federally-funded senior home. they knew of my conviction and said that they would hire me but that when the background check came back there might be a chance i would be let go because the state of california might decide i couldn’t work there anymore. 6 months later, the background check came back and i was let go because the state said “i wasn’t a person of good character.” my question is what is the reason i should put on my application of why i was let go. the application asks if i have been convicted of a crime within 7 years and I haven’t. i need to list this job because it is relevant to the job i am currently applying for. i don’t want to mention the conviction at all, but i don’t want to lie about it. any suggestions on what to say the reason for leaving the job was?
I got a job with a DUI. I wowed them at the interview, had good references, and showed them I was bold by even applying–the job required a “clean driving record”. They asked me what had happened and I told them the WHOLE story. They appreciated my honesty and hired me on the spot–even before the background check came through. I brought it up at the interview without them even asking me about it, just to clear the air. Even though I was fired last week for performance issues and everyone there hated me and I will probably not land a reference from anyone–it gave me the confidence in my job search; sure I was rejected…but I was NOT afraid of rejection anymore. I became desensitized to it. I am eligible to get it expunged and will still aggressively look for work knowing that I landed a GREAT job by being honest–even though it didn’t end so well. I was there for a year. Honesty is the best policy and will get you far. Don’t be afraid. Keep trying.
thats because ur white
I was just recently convicted of a violent crime. I served time in incarceration for 6 months, and have been out for 3 months now. I still have yet to find a job, due to my conviction. I fear that since my case was so recent, employers may see me as a threat. The sitation was bad, but i have learned from it and just want to get on with my life. How do I prove to employers that don’t know me that I have changed?
Hi David – Have you thought about getting involved with a local organization like Goodwill? They will have resources and connections in your area that can be a big help in your situation.
My federal conviction was 15 years ago. I got my first job after I was released with help from the Employment Commission. I worked there for 10 years and as far as I know no one there knew about my conviction. Since I left that position (which was a big mistake) I was able to get three jobs with my resume and my reputation only, never had to fill out an application. I have not been hired by any companies where I filled out an employment application because they ask if I’ve ever been convicted of a felony and I have answered honestly.
The companies that hired me based on my resume and reputation ran criminal background checks but no one ever said anything to me about my record. Is it not showing up?
Needless to say it is extremely disheartening to feel that no one will give you a chance to prove yourself when they find out that you have had a federal conviction no matter how long ago it was.
convicted felon just got out of jail killed a man when was young earned a Masters in counseling and a BA in psychology in jail now looking for a job can you help out if not can you tell where to for help.
Have you thought about getting involved with a local organization like Goodwill? They will have the resources and connections in your area to help out people in similar situations.
Hi, I hope you can help me. I have recently applied for a job to work in the mines in hospitality. I was honest and upfront with my criminal record which is common assault in 2005, for something so petty and the other 2008 assault no conviction. Also drink driving offences. I currently work in the aged care industry and have excellent work ethics. I have had letters written by members of parliament to state that their is no reason why i should not be employed due to my excellent work history. I only got this job becos of the hard work of going to my local MP with legal letters written onbehalf of the sitiuation that happened. Since then I have applied for care jobs/disability jobs and as soon as they see my police check I am not sucessful. The funny thing is that I got to the final stage of the job for the mines I was upfront and honest and was not sucessful. I have written to the company saying how my work fererences were excellent, I have passed all job requirenments but feel I have been discriminated, especially when I am working in the care industry and still employed. This does not make sense. I believe I have a case and am taking it further to the human rights commission. What is your advice. I have applied for many jobs and am not sucessful and yet I have gooe references. The only job I can do at the mo is casual agency work noone will look at me.
I have A Felony From 22 Years Ago, Still Haunts Me In 2013
I’d say that the best advice is to keep it simple. 1st of all, employers don’t always pay attention to what their applications say- whether it says “Have you been convicted of a Felony in the past 7 years” or any kind of variation. So if you’ve been convicted of anything that will show up on a background check- then you should check “yes”. Otherwise they’re going to think that you’re lying. Some employers however will tell you NOT to disclose and in that case if you meet the requirements then don’t disclose. 2nd. an interview is not a therapy session so you don’t need to explain everything, keep it short, accept responsibility for it and move on- if they start asking too many questions about what you did, you become their own personal Law and Order special. 3rd it’s hard to search and you will get turned down over and over in some cases, but you just have to keep looking and keep trying. Someone will hire you. I’ve seen over 300 ex-offenders get back to work from DUI’s to sex offenders. Best of luck to you all.
i was 18 when i got a felony attempted break.I’m 24 and now have two Jobs. Trust me its hard wont lie to you, but you have to keep pushing and not be deterred. have to have faith and a strong will cause you will be tested
CAN U PLZ TELL WHO HIRED YOU. I AM 22 AND I HAVE THEFT ON MY RECORD FROM 2009 AND 2012. I AM IN DESPERATE NEED OF A JOB. I WAS TURNED DOWN FROM BOJANGLES YESTERDAY BECAUSE OF MY RECORD. SO IM FEELING LIKE IF BOJANGLES WONT HIRE ME THEN NO ONE WILL. PLZ HELP
HI I’M CURTRIS AND I’M 22 YEARS OLD. I HAVE THEFT ON MY RECORD FROM 2009 AND 2012. I HAVE PUT IN ABOUT 25 APPLICATIONS IN THE PAST MONTH AND I HAVE HAD 3 INTERVIEWS–ALORICA, BELK AND BOJANGLES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN EMPLOYED BUT I NEED A JOB ASAP. I DIDNT GET HIRED AT ALORICA BECAUSE I DONT HAVE ENOUGH WORK OR LIFE EXPERIENCE. BELK NEVER CALLED BACK AND BOJANGLES SAID THAT BECAUSE IT HASNT BEEN 7 YEARS I CANT BE HIRED WITH THEM. I NEED TO KNOW WHAT PLACES HAVE HIRED PEOPLE WITH A MISDEMEANOR. PLZZ HELP.
In Virginia, reckless driving is a misdemeanor. I was convicted b/c I had an accident. It can never be expunged. So how will that affect my ability to work in management?
Hi Cindy! You can just explain that the position was not a right fit and you are looking forward to working in a challenging environment.