Getting a job when you have a criminal record

Have you had a run-in with the law? Worried that your criminal record will affect your future?

We all do things we’re not proud of but we all also deserve a chance to put the past behind us. That is why having a criminal record does not mean you will never find a job again.

Unless your crime is linked to the field in which you wish to work (for example an offence against children will bar you from working with them) then it should not stop you from working where you want to. However, you may have to work a bit harder than other candidates to convince potential employers to take you on.

Read these tips to help improve your chances of getting back on the right career path.

Applying for work

If you had spent time in prison or a young offenders’ institution, you may need to rethink your CV. When listing relevant jobs or work experience that you have done, leave out the dates and make the skills section more prominent. This should help you brush over the period of time you may have spent in prison/young offenders’ centres or the months after your release.
If you have to fill out a job application form, you may be asked if you have ever been imprisoned or otherwise penalised as a result of illegal activities. In these instances it is very important that you tell the truth.
If you are not asked whether or not you have a criminal record, you do not have to mention this in your application.

Interview tips

You will be asked a lot of questions in the interview and these may touch on whether you have a criminal record. If asked, do not lie. But, present yourself in a positive way. Give a clear straightforward account of the conviction with brief details of the offence, sentence and date. Say why you think the conviction is no longer relevant.
You can talk about:
Your achievements since the conviction
Your changes in attitude
Problems you had at the time of the offence which you have since overcome (for example domestic problems, financial problems, relationship break-up)
Factors which show the offence is a minor consideration (for example it was a long time ago, it was a one-off)
Make positive statements about what you can do (for example you are a hard worker, reliable). If you have several convictions it is better to group them into types rather than writing a long list which can seem a bit negative!
If you are not asked whether you have a criminal record, you do not have to mention this in an interview.

On the job

You have to accept that at some point a work colleague might find out about your criminal past and may ask you about it. Plan what you will say in advance. Depending on how you feel about it, you could say: “I would rather not discuss it”, or “What would you like to know?”
If you are dismissed for having a conviction but were not asked about it in the application or interview process, you may be able to claim unfair dismissal if you have been in the job for 2 years or more.

Living with a criminal record is never easy but, with time and patience, it should become less of an issue as you get older.

Your shout!

Do you have any job-hunting tips for someone with a criminal record? If so, post your advice below.

Any comments?

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