How to Get a Job with a Criminal Record
Know your rights., Know which offenses are on your record., Know what employers are allowed to consider., Talk to personal connections., Network., Seek out positions that might afford you a chance to work "behind the scenes.", Start small and work...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Know your rights.
In some cases, you don't have to tell a potential employer about your history.
Such cases may include:
When an arrest is not currently pending or doesn't result in a conviction You're going through a pre-trial adjudication for an offense that isn't criminal by statute A minor drug offense occurred, and a certain number of years have passed since the conviction You've erased your offense by obtaining a certificate of rehabilitation or a similar document You were convicted by a juvenile court and you are now an adult.
You may need to have your juvenile records sealed or expunged -
Step 2: Know which offenses are on your record.
The nature of your conviction matters.
Certain types of convictions will disqualify you for certain types of jobs.
For example, financial convictions will make it impossible for you to work in insurance or banking.
You need to think about your conviction and what types of jobs that have nothing to do with your conviction.
It is best if the conviction is completely unrelated to the job you are applying for.
Do some research before you make any determinations.
Don’t just assume that your record will disqualify you from holding a certain job.
Consider the relationship of your conviction to the position.
Eliminate jobs for which your record will automatically disqualify you.
Your record may disqualify you for some positions, especially government jobs requiring security clearances, positions with financial responsibility, or jobs working with children., For most employers, it is illegal to immediately and completely disqualify anyone with a conviction or arrest record.
This is because many ethnic minorities, such as African Americans and Latinos, have been over-criminalized by society and are disproportionately impacted by such a policy.Employers must also demonstrate that your conviction is “job-related” and would hamper your ability or trustworthiness to perform your job.
Employers should consider the amount of time that has passed since the conviction or completion of your sentence.
It is more difficult for an employer to justify making a hiring decision based on a very old conviction.
The type of job you are applying for should also be considered.
For example, if you were convicted of a violent assault, it would probably be difficult for you to find a job where you have to interact with people (e.g., sales). , If a friend or family member is either hiring or knows someone who's hiring, then ask your friend or family member to hire you or to advocate for you.
You'll have a much better chance of finding work when you talk to someone who knows you or your family and is interested in you.
Have your advocate write a letter of recommendation to your potential employer.
If your advocate and your potential employer know each other well, it is also appropriate for your advocate to call your potential employer and vouch for your character.
For example, your advocate can talk about how long they have known you, and what type of person they know you to be.
Your advocate can also talk to your potential employer about how you have changed since your conviction or how the conviction was the result of a mistake that you are not going to repeat. , In many cases, having personal connections can get you a job that you might not otherwise be considered for.
Create a professional profile on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Find an association in the industry you want to enter, and become a member.
Attend industry meetings and get to know people., You may have a good chance to get jobs in maintenance, upkeep, restocking shelves, etc.
You may not be able to get positions which may have you handling other people's money or put you in social situations.Employers in restaurants and bars are often understanding of past criminal records., Understand that when a person sees your record, he or she may be reluctant to hire you for a position with a lot of responsibility.
That same person may be more than willing to give you a chance in another usually lower-paid position.
You can use this chance to demonstrate that you are a reliable and trustworthy employee.
Try applying with a temp agency.
You will need to disclose your criminal record to the agency.
However, these agencies are sometimes able to place employees at other companies without running additional background checks, which can give you the chance to prove yourself.Do what it takes to get your foot in the door.
You may have to start at a lower-paying job for which you are overqualified.
You can use this time to rebuild your resume.
If you were incarcerated, the gap in your employment history may pose as much of an obstacle as your conviction.
You may need to build up a job history again by working smaller or entry-level jobs before trying to re-enter a career field. , You may want to lie when an application asks if you have a criminal record, but you must be honest with potential employers.
Many employers now conduct some sort of background check.
If they find that you have been dishonest on the application, you will not be hired.
If you’ve already been hired and the lie is discovered later, you can be fired for it.
Criminal background checks may not pick up older convictions or convictions in different states.
Still, if they miss your conviction and find out about it after they hire you will most likely be terminated.
You have certain rights regarding background checks.
Your potential employer must get your permission to run a background check.
If you are not hired after the background check is run, the employer must give you a copy of the report.
They must do this before they make the final hiring decision.
This gives you an opportunity to correct inaccurate information.
It may also give you the chance to advocate for yourself.Several states now have a “ban the box” policy that requires employers to remove questions about convictions or arrests from their initial job application.
They may only conduct background checks after the hiring process has been started.
You can see whether these laws apply in your area to by going to www.nelp.org/banthebox.
Lying on some applications (such as for military enlistment) is a criminal offense.
It is better to be honest! Explain your answer if you're asked about convictions or arrests during an interview.
Job applications and interviewers will give you an opportunity to explain the circumstances behind the offense or alleged offense.
You may find that the interviewer is interested in someone who made a mistake but is now motivated to get a job., You must be honest about your background when filling out a job application.
However, you do not need to offer more information than the application requests.For example, if the job application specifically asks whether you have ever been convicted of a felony, you do not need to disclose misdemeanor convictions.
Some applications may ask specifically about convictions related to particular offenses, such as drugs, alcohol misuse, or sexual misconduct.
If a question asks about specific offenses that do not apply to you, you do not need to disclose convictions or arrests that are not related. , There are several organizations that are focused on helping people with criminal records find jobs.
Get in touch with an organization or agency in your area.
The National Transitional Jobs Network provides job skills training, job placement services, and support to individuals who may have barriers to finding traditional employment.
America Works also assists individuals who may have difficulty finding work., Even if you committed an offense as an adult, you can try to get an offense sealed or expunged from your record.
Ask your attorney, public defender or your parole/probation officer whether you may be able to get the offense expunged (removed) from your record.
If you are successful, then you can legally answer “no” to conviction questions. -
Step 3: Know what employers are allowed to consider.
-
Step 4: Talk to personal connections.
-
Step 5: Network.
-
Step 6: Seek out positions that might afford you a chance to work "behind the scenes."
-
Step 7: Start small and work your way up.
-
Step 8: Be honest about your history.
-
Step 9: Read the application carefully.
-
Step 10: Contact a nonprofit or agency that specializes in helping individuals with criminal records find employment.
-
Step 11: Try to get an offense sealed or expunged from your record.
Detailed Guide
In some cases, you don't have to tell a potential employer about your history.
Such cases may include:
When an arrest is not currently pending or doesn't result in a conviction You're going through a pre-trial adjudication for an offense that isn't criminal by statute A minor drug offense occurred, and a certain number of years have passed since the conviction You've erased your offense by obtaining a certificate of rehabilitation or a similar document You were convicted by a juvenile court and you are now an adult.
You may need to have your juvenile records sealed or expunged
The nature of your conviction matters.
Certain types of convictions will disqualify you for certain types of jobs.
For example, financial convictions will make it impossible for you to work in insurance or banking.
You need to think about your conviction and what types of jobs that have nothing to do with your conviction.
It is best if the conviction is completely unrelated to the job you are applying for.
Do some research before you make any determinations.
Don’t just assume that your record will disqualify you from holding a certain job.
Consider the relationship of your conviction to the position.
Eliminate jobs for which your record will automatically disqualify you.
Your record may disqualify you for some positions, especially government jobs requiring security clearances, positions with financial responsibility, or jobs working with children., For most employers, it is illegal to immediately and completely disqualify anyone with a conviction or arrest record.
This is because many ethnic minorities, such as African Americans and Latinos, have been over-criminalized by society and are disproportionately impacted by such a policy.Employers must also demonstrate that your conviction is “job-related” and would hamper your ability or trustworthiness to perform your job.
Employers should consider the amount of time that has passed since the conviction or completion of your sentence.
It is more difficult for an employer to justify making a hiring decision based on a very old conviction.
The type of job you are applying for should also be considered.
For example, if you were convicted of a violent assault, it would probably be difficult for you to find a job where you have to interact with people (e.g., sales). , If a friend or family member is either hiring or knows someone who's hiring, then ask your friend or family member to hire you or to advocate for you.
You'll have a much better chance of finding work when you talk to someone who knows you or your family and is interested in you.
Have your advocate write a letter of recommendation to your potential employer.
If your advocate and your potential employer know each other well, it is also appropriate for your advocate to call your potential employer and vouch for your character.
For example, your advocate can talk about how long they have known you, and what type of person they know you to be.
Your advocate can also talk to your potential employer about how you have changed since your conviction or how the conviction was the result of a mistake that you are not going to repeat. , In many cases, having personal connections can get you a job that you might not otherwise be considered for.
Create a professional profile on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Find an association in the industry you want to enter, and become a member.
Attend industry meetings and get to know people., You may have a good chance to get jobs in maintenance, upkeep, restocking shelves, etc.
You may not be able to get positions which may have you handling other people's money or put you in social situations.Employers in restaurants and bars are often understanding of past criminal records., Understand that when a person sees your record, he or she may be reluctant to hire you for a position with a lot of responsibility.
That same person may be more than willing to give you a chance in another usually lower-paid position.
You can use this chance to demonstrate that you are a reliable and trustworthy employee.
Try applying with a temp agency.
You will need to disclose your criminal record to the agency.
However, these agencies are sometimes able to place employees at other companies without running additional background checks, which can give you the chance to prove yourself.Do what it takes to get your foot in the door.
You may have to start at a lower-paying job for which you are overqualified.
You can use this time to rebuild your resume.
If you were incarcerated, the gap in your employment history may pose as much of an obstacle as your conviction.
You may need to build up a job history again by working smaller or entry-level jobs before trying to re-enter a career field. , You may want to lie when an application asks if you have a criminal record, but you must be honest with potential employers.
Many employers now conduct some sort of background check.
If they find that you have been dishonest on the application, you will not be hired.
If you’ve already been hired and the lie is discovered later, you can be fired for it.
Criminal background checks may not pick up older convictions or convictions in different states.
Still, if they miss your conviction and find out about it after they hire you will most likely be terminated.
You have certain rights regarding background checks.
Your potential employer must get your permission to run a background check.
If you are not hired after the background check is run, the employer must give you a copy of the report.
They must do this before they make the final hiring decision.
This gives you an opportunity to correct inaccurate information.
It may also give you the chance to advocate for yourself.Several states now have a “ban the box” policy that requires employers to remove questions about convictions or arrests from their initial job application.
They may only conduct background checks after the hiring process has been started.
You can see whether these laws apply in your area to by going to www.nelp.org/banthebox.
Lying on some applications (such as for military enlistment) is a criminal offense.
It is better to be honest! Explain your answer if you're asked about convictions or arrests during an interview.
Job applications and interviewers will give you an opportunity to explain the circumstances behind the offense or alleged offense.
You may find that the interviewer is interested in someone who made a mistake but is now motivated to get a job., You must be honest about your background when filling out a job application.
However, you do not need to offer more information than the application requests.For example, if the job application specifically asks whether you have ever been convicted of a felony, you do not need to disclose misdemeanor convictions.
Some applications may ask specifically about convictions related to particular offenses, such as drugs, alcohol misuse, or sexual misconduct.
If a question asks about specific offenses that do not apply to you, you do not need to disclose convictions or arrests that are not related. , There are several organizations that are focused on helping people with criminal records find jobs.
Get in touch with an organization or agency in your area.
The National Transitional Jobs Network provides job skills training, job placement services, and support to individuals who may have barriers to finding traditional employment.
America Works also assists individuals who may have difficulty finding work., Even if you committed an offense as an adult, you can try to get an offense sealed or expunged from your record.
Ask your attorney, public defender or your parole/probation officer whether you may be able to get the offense expunged (removed) from your record.
If you are successful, then you can legally answer “no” to conviction questions.
About the Author
Theresa Fisher
Experienced content creator specializing in pet care guides and tutorials.
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