[supermikehawk]

Jon.kiparsky is right. Many employers ask for _any_ criminal convictions, not just felonies.

By law employers are required to review the fact Jon.kiparsky noted:

The nature and gravity of the crime In my case this would be assault at a bar. It was a bar brawl and I was afraid.

The length of time since the conviction and/or completion of any sentence. Because of this factor, I'm hoping after 7 or 10 years this incident will have substantially less impact on my "hire-ability"

And the nature of the job for which you have applied will be considered. I am a computer programmer so I'm typically alone in front of a PC. I rarely interact with the public/children/etc. so I would think my liability isn't as high.

I'm most worried about companies that could say "Oh it's assault? We don't care if it's 20 years ago, you are rejected".

With all this being said, I don't know if I would ever apply to a company that runs background checks AND automatically rejects all assault convictions AND doesn't let me explain the situation AND I apply for a non-programming job.

[jon.kiparsky]

Quote

I'm most worried about companies that could say "Oh it's assault? We don't care if it's 20 years ago, you are rejected".

There may be companies like this, but I think they're not as common as you think they are. And if you come across one, well, you don't get that job. That sucks. But many people, I think, will be willing to listen to you, and if you seem like an honest person who made a stupid mistake, some of them will be willing to hire you. And since you only need to get hired for one job at a time, you just need to find one of those people and you'll be set for a while. So go for it.

[Utael]

I actually know several companies who upon recieving a background check found a misdemeanor and since on the application it asked "have you been convicted of a crime?" And the response was no it was imediate throw out.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

[jjsaw5]

Quote

I understand what you are saying. However, I anonymously emailed these recruiters so they have no idea who I am. Most recruiters went well beyond saying I'm eligible and mentioned that it is very possible to get hired. Also, recruiters typically get paid for every person they place at a company, so it is in their best interest to vouch for the employee.

Good thinking! Hopefully some of the dialog that has taken place in this thread will help you better decide how you are going to handle the situation. Hopefully it all works out for you! Best of luck.

Make sure to stop by and let us know if there are any updates on your situation.

[jon.kiparsky]

jjsaw5, on 30 March 2012 - 07:36 AM, said:

Good thinking! Hopefully some of the dialog that has taken place in this thread will help you better decide how you are going to handle the situation. Hopefully it all works out for you! Best of luck.

Make sure to stop by and let us know if there are any updates on your situation.

Second that. Best of luck, and remember you don't get jobs you don't go after.

[The Architect 2.0]

recruiters don't look for anyone for any position. they look for the best person for a given position.


someone with your exact skillset, but with no misdemeanor, will definitely be put ahead of you on the list.

[supermikehawk]

jon.kiparsky, on 29 March 2012 - 06:37 PM, said:

Quote

I'm most worried about companies that could say "Oh it's assault? We don't care if it's 20 years ago, you are rejected".

There may be companies like this, but I think they're not as common as you think they are. And if you come across one, well, you don't get that job. That sucks. But many people, I think, will be willing to listen to you, and if you seem like an honest person who made a stupid mistake, some of them will be willing to hire you. And since you only need to get hired for one job at a time, you just need to find one of those people and you'll be set for a while. So go for it.

I think you are right. I know that some professions such as public safety, teaching, medical, etc will most likely say no to anyone convicted with any crimes. However, being a computer programmer may be to my benefit and still allow me to be eligible at most companies.

Utael, on 29 March 2012 - 09:34 PM, said:

I actually know several companies who upon recieving a background check found a misdemeanor and since on the application it asked "have you been convicted of a crime?" And the response was no it was imediate throw out.

Sent from my ADR6300 using Tapatalk

This is absolutely true. I have no problem disclosing my conviction and I will not lie. A soon as someone lies, an event that happened 10 years ago isn't as important because this person just lied right NOW.

The Architect 2.0, on 31 March 2012 - 09:37 PM, said:

recruiters don't look for anyone for any position. they look for the best person for a given position.


someone with your exact skillset, but with no misdemeanor, will definitely be put ahead of you on the list.

Understood. Thanks for the response.

[jon.kiparsky]

The Architect 2.0, on 31 March 2012 - 11:37 PM, said:

recruiters don't look for anyone for any position. they look for the best person for a given position.


someone with your exact skillset, but with no misdemeanor, will definitely be put ahead of you on the list.

I think there's a subtle point about interviews that's not considered here. People generally don't interview people that they think they won't want to hire. As a rule, if you're asked to come in for an interview, it's because that person thinks you might be the person who they hire. In fact, when you walk into that room, the person you're talking to wants very much to find that you are that person, because if you are, then they can stop interviewing people and get back to work. (or, if they're a dedicated interviewer for a large firm's HR department, they can cross that position off their list. Same difference)

So while it may be true that some people will decline to have you in for an interview on the basis of a criminal record, if you get asked in for the interview, it means you're talking to someone who has already evaluated the fact that you have a record and decided that this in itself does not disqualify you. Therefore, assuming you're automatically at a disadvantage is incorrect.

In fact, it's fair to say that you have a potential advantage, in that one piece of your interview is guaranteed to stand out from the rest of the interviews that person conducts. They will certainly remember it, and that's a huge thing when someone might be talking to four or five other candidates that day. How they remember it is up to you.

[StormPurple]

Everything's determined by whether or not they like you.



If your company likes you, there won't be a problem.

If they're interested in getting rid of you, then it's never wise to give them a reason. (They can always find one.)