The job search is tough enough for applicants with spotless backgrounds and successful careers. It's even more difficult if you have a criminal record. Whether you committed a youthful indiscretion or just completed your sentence, it's going to take some effort to persuade potential employers you deserve a chance at a good job. Fortunately, some employers are willing to give second chances.
Lauren Dixon of Talent Management Today says things aren't as dire as they used to be for people who have criminal histories. In "The State of Screening," two percent of the employers surveyed revealed that they do not conduct any background checks. That doesn't mean you can lie about your conviction, but it does mean you have a better chance of getting a job. Although many of the employers surveyed use background checks to make hiring decisions, just 44 percent of them used the information to disqualify applicants who disclosed criminal convictions.
What does this mean for you? It means a criminal record doesn't necessarily preclude you from getting a job. When you are ready to start your job search, check with state agencies to see if your state has any programs designed to connect employers with workers in need of a second chance. Such programs are typically available to employees with misdemeanor convictions, but your state may have resources available for people with non-violent felony convictions.
The next step in your job search should be approaching companies that have a history of hiring people with criminal convictions. If you are required to meet with a probation officer, ask the officer to recommend some potential employers. Community counselors and members of the clergy are also good resources. Once you have a list of companies in mind, start submitting applications.
If there are no employers known for hiring employees with criminal histories, move forward with a traditional job search. Do not try to hide your conviction when filling out job applications. Instead, be up front about your criminal history. If someone asks you to come in for an interview, be prepared to discuss your conviction. Explain the steps you have taken to ensure you don't get caught in the same situation again. Not all employers are willing to hire someone with a criminal background, but you may be able to persuade an interviewer to give you a second chance.
The job search is especially difficult if you have a criminal conviction on your record. Fortunately, you don't have to resign yourself to being unemployed for the rest of your life. Be prepared to discuss your conviction with potential employers and explain why an employer should give you a chance. With honesty and perseverance, your job search is likely to be a success.
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