In the present economy, where it’s difficult for an ordinary job seeker to find a good job, the situation may worsen if you have a past criminal record. Although a past criminal record doesn’t discriminate against you, most employers might not feel comfortable in working with you if they discover it.
To ensure you get a good job, you must find the correct one first. Below are some points for finding and getting a job with a criminal record in the past.
Ways to Find & Get a Job with Criminal Record
- The first step you should take is to get the offense sealed or expunged from the record. It doesn’t mean using illegal means to get it deleted, but just to get a privacy setting with which it should not be accessible to everyone.
- Find a list of jobs for which your history may automatically disqualify you, i.e., government jobs requiring security clearances, some military jobs, dealing with children, etc. Depending on your past charges, some of these jobs might still be open for you, so make your own list.
- Exclude all the careers from your list where you’ve doubts about getting them. Trying to get such jobs is just a waste of time.
- Start building up professional connections, i.e., on Linkedin and other professional networking websites.
- Search online for the jobs that you’re sure you can get with a criminal record and apply online.
- Do submit your resume to local placement agencies.
- Do not initiate a conversation about your past or anything else that would require you to explain the offense you committed.
- Be honest about your record if asked in the interview.
- If you’re not being hired for a higher position, as employers might be reluctant to give you the responsibility, taking a smaller start is not a bad idea. It’s always good to gain training and experience in a company that can open more doors in the future.
- Conviction is what is official on your record and is essential to check. It is crucial because the conviction may not be identical to what you are charged with, and it can significantly affect how many options you have to convince your employer.
- Knowing your conviction in detail will assist you in finding out what is on your record and how long it can stay. In addition, you will see what you can tell your employer about the conviction.
- After discovering your convictions, you will know what is ‘spent’ or ‘unspent.’ Not only this, but it will also inform you what rules about criminal record checks apply.
- Knowing about your rights will enable you not to explore your complete history in front of employers but only share important information with them.
In the end, if you still do not manage to get a good job with a past criminal record, you still have a chance to go ahead. You can always employ yourself if denied opportunities in the market. Think of a small business that needs either low or zero investment.
