How Do I Figure Out Whether an Employer Will Do a Background Check?
If you have a criminal record, you should try to figure out if a company does a background check before you apply, and if so, what kind. For a big company, there is probably a lot of info about this. If you have felonies, you should pay close attention to this information. If the company has a policy that says they do not hire people with felonies, unless you have some fantastic connection at the company that can override policy, you are probably wasting your time.
Should I Lie About My Criminal History?
Absolutely not! You should always be prepared to tell the truth - but be strategic about it.
When Do I Disclose My Criminal Background?
Like many things in life, the answer is “It depends.”
As I say in many other blog entries, always tell the truth, but be strategic about it.
Depending on the situation, you may not ever need to disclose your criminal conviction history.
How Do I Explain My Job Gap to an Employer?
Job gaps on a resume can be a red flag to an employer, and if you are recovering from a life of addiction, homelessness, and/or criminal justice involvement, it is likely that there will have been long periods where you did not have traditional employment.
Got a criminal record?
The #1 issue that my clients bring up is how to explain their past to a prospective employer (or landlord). This short video gives some great tips about how to address this when interviewing.