Trying to land a competitive job that’s a good fit for your skills, personality, and passions is hard enough. Trying to get a good job like this when you have a criminal record is even more challenging. The question is, is it possible?
Job Search Tips When You Have a Record
Most employers run background checks as part of the vetting process for applicants they’re interested in hiring. And who can blame them? They’re investing time, money, and trust in the people they hire.
They’re quite literally putting their brand’s reputation on the line with the people they choose to hire. So they do everything they can to weed out anyone who is questionable.
Objectively speaking, people with criminal records tend to be riskier than those with no criminal history. (Note: We’re not saying this is true of you – just that it tends to be true when you look at it through the law of averages.)
The problem is that there are people with criminal backgrounds who were wrongfully convicted and/or who have since changed and reformed their ways. Unfortunately, these people continue to get lumped in with everyone else – including active criminals and repeat offenders who have shown no desire to grow.
The good news is that it’s possible to land a good job, even with arrests and convictions on your permanent record. You just have to be strategic about it.
Here are a few of our top job search tips for applicants with a criminal past:
Consider Expungement
If you have crimes that are misdemeanors and/or old, you might be able to get them removed from your records. This means they’ll never appear on a background check and employers won’t be able to hold it against you.
As attorney Rowdy G. Williams says, “There’s absolutely no reason that a criminal conviction should continue to hold you back years after you’ve done your time and paid your dues. Thankfully, it’s possible to have your criminal records expunged if you meet certain criteria.”
The only way to know if your records can be expunged is to speak with a lawyer and proceed down that path. There are no guarantees, but thousands of people wipe their records clean each year. It’s definitely worth a shot.
Bolster Your Resume
A criminal record on your background check is a huge black mark on your job resume – let’s not pretend otherwise. If you can’t get it wiped clean, your best alternative is to beef up your resume so that it’s a non–issue.
When an employer sees a criminal record, it immediately raises suspicions about your morals, ethics, and reliability. One way to counteract this is by adding things to your resume that shows you’re a good and trustworthy person.
Try volunteering at a couple of local organizations to build up your credibility, establish relationships, and squash any doubts hiring managers may have about your character.
Leverage Your Connections
There’s a popular saying in the business world that says, “It’s not what you know but who you know.” This is certainly true in your situation.
You can significantly improve your chances of landing a good job by tapping into your own personal network and using these people as references and connection points for job opportunities.
If you know someone who has a good reputation in a city or industry, their recommendation could outweigh any criminal past that you have. And if you know any business owners, they might even be willing to hire you themselves.
Know Which Jobs to Look For
Be strategic with the types of jobs you pursue. For example, you probably aren’t going to land a job with a law firm, major corporation, or financial institution on Wall Street. The bigger the company, the more red tape they have.
But you might be able to get a job with a small business that isn’t required to jump through a dozen hoops to finalize a hire.
Win the Interview
Finally, focus on winning the interview. Remember, you’re at a disadvantage from the get-go. If you can build some rapport during the interview, it’ll help you overcome negative factors (like a criminal background).
The key is to build relationships and make a strong first impression.
Don’t Throw in the Towel
We’re not saying it’s going to be easy to land a job. You’ll still get turned down from positions (as everyone does).
And there will be moments when you think “this isn’t fair.” However, if you have some patience and stick with it, you’ll eventually find a job that opens some doors for you. Be patient yet proactive!