Should I Lie About My Criminal History?

Absolutely not! You should always be prepared to tell the truth - but be strategic about it.

What do I mean by strategic?

• If you have a criminal record, but the company isn’t going to run a background check, there is no need to divulge your past

• If you need to disclose your past criminal justice involvement, only reveal the necessary facts, and be sure to take responsibility for what you did, and emphasize the ways in which you are now living a different and better life

• Don’t disclose until after the first interview (if you can avoid it), but before they run the background check

You don’t want to lie and then have the employer find out later. if they do, you’ll likely be terminated and never be eligible for work with that company again.

Tell the truth, be smart in how you do it, and let the chips fall where they may!