Is your Criminal Background KeepingYou From Working

[Zakk]

Okay, here it is I just recently got laid off from my job, and its been an mouth and i just can find an new job due to that fact of my criminal background Dose anyone else have the same problem when its comes to founding an new job, any advice on how find an job without an background check.

 

[Paulcpick]

got I guy that works for me @ the Feed Store(I run the Mill/Dock) Smart kid, helluva worker, got caught up in the wrong crowd and got some stuff pinned on him, its kept him from getting some jobs, I really feel for the kid, could really go places if someone would give him a break

 

[Rii]

The trick is to be so very good at what you do so that nobody cares what you did. See: Operation Paperclip.

 

[All Seeing Eye]

Okay, here it is I just recently got laid off from my job, and its been an mouth and i just can find an new job due to that fact of my criminal background Dose anyone else have the same problem when its comes to founding an new job, any advice on how find an job without an background check.

Not me personally no but my Sister in law and her Boyfriend both have criminal records and he has even been in prison and they keep applying and applying for jobs and don't hear anything back.
I can't say I blame them for not contacting them, they should have stayed out of trouble because now it's backfired.

 

[Miss Chicken]

I think that you have to be honest upfront and admit that you have been in trouble before the background check is done. Explain that you made mistakes in the past but that you are now trying make up to society for.

 

[tharpdevenport]

My background is clean, so no. But I recall overhearing a guy at a local Workforce agency talking to one of the staff members. He said he had a background and was having trouble finding work. I live in Florida. The lady said to him something like there was a list of employers who hire people with backgrounds. Might want to check with your workforce place, and state laws regarding whether you can be legally turned down because of the background.

 

[scotpens]

Not intending to make light of the difficulties faced by those who've run afoul of the law and duly paid their debt to society, but the title of this thread reminds me of Johnny Carson's old “Tea Time Movie” routines.

“You're a bad driver? We don't care.
You got no credit? We don't care.
You got a prison record? We don't care.
You say you can't pay us? THEN we care!!”

 

[Tora Ziyal]

Okay, here it is I just recently got laid off from my job, and its been an mouth and i just can find an new job due to that fact of my criminal background Dose anyone else have the same problem when its comes to founding an new job, any advice on how find an job without an background check.

I don't know how you can avoid a background check, because so many places do them now. But I do have some other thoughts:

When the application form asks about convictions, honestly answer yes, but don't give any details that they ask for. Instead, write something like "will discuss at interview". Then, when you eventually have the opportunity to talk to someone, tell them the truth (very briefly), but concentrate on how you have been changing your life since then and what you can do for them.

In my experience, governments -- state, county, local -- are often open to hiring ex-offenders for some positions. Also, have you looked into whether there are any programs in your area that help ex-offenders w/ employment and training?

I know that it's hard now, but, as long as you don't get into any more trouble, your criminal history will become less and less of an issue over time.

BTW, I work in corrections and used to counsel work release inmates. My very first reaction to your thread was, "Your criminal background is keeping me working."

 

[Zakk]

Okay, here it is I just recently got laid off from my job, and its been an mouth and i just can find an new job due to that fact of my criminal background Dose anyone else have the same problem when its comes to founding an new job, any advice on how find an job without an background check.

I don't know how you can avoid a background check, because so many places do them now. But I do have some other thoughts:

When the application form asks about convictions, honestly answer yes, but don't give any details that they ask for. Instead, write something like "will discuss at interview". Then, when you eventually have the opportunity to talk to someone, tell them the truth (very briefly), but concentrate on how you have been changing your life since then and what you can do for them.

In my experience, governments -- state, county, local -- are often open to hiring ex-offenders for some positions. Also, have you looked into whether there are any programs in your area that help ex-offenders w/ employment and training?

I know that it's hard now, but, as long as you don't get into any more trouble, your criminal history will become less and less of an issue over time.

BTW, I work in corrections and used to counsel work release inmates. My very first reaction to your thread was, "Your criminal background is keeping me working."

thanks for the advice

 

[TheMurph]

Funny thing about where I live it doesn't matter if you go convicted or not. My cousin once got accused of theft and something else, but the case was dismissed. Every time he's looked for a job it shows up on the background check and he usually doesn't get hired (except at Wal-Mart ). I guess they see that and just suppose there must have been reason he got accused.

 

[Deranged Nasat]

Funny thing about where I live it doesn't matter if you go convicted or not. My cousin once got accused of theft and something else, but the case was dismissed. Every time he's looked for a job it shows up on the background check and he usually doesn't get hired (except at Wal-Mart ). I guess they see that and just suppose there must have been reason he got accused.

Sadly, being accused of a crime is often enough to see you being treated as a criminal. There's even laws in the UK that insist that people accused of certain crimes who are then found not guilty are still to be registered as if they were. I'm not joking.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Funny thing about where I live it doesn't matter if you go convicted or not. My cousin once got accused of theft and something else, but the case was dismissed. Every time he's looked for a job it shows up on the background check and he usually doesn't get hired (except at Wal-Mart ). I guess they see that and just suppose there must have been reason he got accused.

Sadly, being accused of a crime is often enough to see you being treated as a criminal. There's even laws in the UK that insist that people accused of certain crimes who are then found not guilty are still to be registered as if they were. I'm not joking.

That's ridiculous, but not surprising. In the US, being charged with anything will follow you around forever. I sat in on a sentencing hearing once, and the prosecutor even brought up an incident where the defendant's ex-girlfriend (and roommate) had him charged with stealing her tarantula, to get back at him. This was something that had happened 20 years ago and the prosecutor brought it up to paint him as a bad seed. I don't think anyone should be able to use criminal charges against you if there was no conviction. It destroys the entire pretense that one is innocent until proven guilty--makes it look more like you're guilty, period, and even being exonerated is insufficient to prove your innocence. You're just a douchebag who managed to get away with it!

Anyway, when I was living in Indiana, I knew a lot of people who had trouble finding work because they had marijuana possession convictions. After they would get turned down for so many jobs because of this, they would find themselves with little choice but to turn to less legal forms of employment--such as dealing pot. And so the cycle goes on...

 

[Geckothan]

I don't have a criminal record, and I still can't find a job

 

[SeerSGB]

I don't have a criminal record, and I still can't find a job

Hell, what till yuo get this gem a couple times (as I have over the years): "Well you're criminal background check is spotless, so we're not going to be comfortable hiring you"

The logic goes, as it was told to me the last time I ran up on this, is that if you haven't so much as a parking ticket then that just means you're better at getting away with shit and they might not catch you if you want to rob the company blind.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I don't have a criminal record, and I still can't find a job

Hell, what till yuo get this gem a couple times (as I have over the years): "Well you're criminal background check is spotless, so we're not going to be comfortable hiring you"

The logic goes, as it was told to me the last time I ran up on this, is that if you haven't so much as a parking ticket then that just means you're better at getting away with shit and they might not catch you if you want to rob the company blind.

Are you fucking serious?

 

[SeerSGB]

I don't have a criminal record, and I still can't find a job

Hell, what till yuo get this gem a couple times (as I have over the years): "Well you're criminal background check is spotless, so we're not going to be comfortable hiring you"

The logic goes, as it was told to me the last time I ran up on this, is that if you haven't so much as a parking ticket then that just means you're better at getting away with shit and they might not catch you if you want to rob the company blind.

Are you fucking serious?

Yep. Apparently not having a record just means you're talented crook.

 

[K'Ehleyr]

Okay, here it is I just recently got laid off from my job, and its been an mouth and i just can find an new job due to that fact of my criminal background Dose anyone else have the same problem when its comes to founding an new job, any advice on how find an job without an background check.

I don't know how you can avoid a background check, because so many places do them now. But I do have some other thoughts:

When the application form asks about convictions, honestly answer yes, but don't give any details that they ask for. Instead, write something like "will discuss at interview". Then, when you eventually have the opportunity to talk to someone, tell them the truth (very briefly), but concentrate on how you have been changing your life since then and what you can do for them.

In my experience, governments -- state, county, local -- are often open to hiring ex-offenders for some positions. Also, have you looked into whether there are any programs in your area that help ex-offenders w/ employment and training?

This.

...Anyway, when I was living in Indiana, I knew a lot of people who had trouble finding work because they had marijuana possession convictions. After they would get turned down for so many jobs because of this, they would find themselves with little choice but to turn to less legal forms of employment--such as dealing pot. And so the cycle goes on...

Which is why I need your advice Zakk or indeed anyones!

Son (17) got into pot about a year ago, some may remember the thread, we went for the soft approach and now he has been stopped for possession twice and is on a Final Warning. If he gets caught again it will mean a criminal record.
He taught himself and is now studying Japanese with view to travelling there to teach. If he gets a Crim Rec for drugs he will have all sorts of trouble with a visa etc... and of course, as you're finding, a job at home.
Zakk what could anyone have said to you to make you realise the consequences? I've pointed out the obvious but it still gets met with a 'teen glare'.
Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully received and I do wish you good luck with your search.

 

[SmoothieX]

I think the nature of the crime and when it was committed should be weighed into hiring decisions. Getting busted for a pot posession in college 15 years ago is a lot different than the guy who just got out after doing 10 years in the can for being in a kiddie porn ring.

I did enough stupid shit as a teenager where I would have had a few blemishes on my record if I got caught.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Which is why I need your advice Zakk or indeed anyones!

Son (17) got into pot about a year ago, some may remember the thread, we went for the soft approach and now he has been stopped for possession twice and is on a Final Warning. If he gets caught again it will mean a criminal record.
He taught himself and is now studying Japanese with view to travelling there to teach. If he gets a Crim Rec for drugs he will have all sorts of trouble with a visa etc... and of course, as you're finding, a job at home.
Zakk what could anyone have said to you to make you realise the consequences? I've pointed out the obvious but it still gets met with a 'teen glare'.
Any advice or suggestions would be gratefully received and I do wish you good luck with your search.

Ask him what he wants out of life. Odds are, he wants what most people want: a good job, a house, a nice car, a family, etc. Well, good luck making any of those things happen if you have a felony conviction following you around. It doesn't matter how long ago it was, either--10, 20 years? Who cares? It's still on your record and an employer will see it when they do a background check. Why hire a felon when there are thousands of college graduates who lack criminal records who want the same job?

To get a job in this market, you need good skills, and you need the negatives in your past kept to a minimum. A single drug conviction can screw you for life. I don't know how you can impress that upon him, but it's a very serious matter. It may not be fair and I don't agree with it, but it's how the system works.

 

[thumbtack]

You can generally get your record expunged if it's not a felony.