| Have You Ever Been Convicted of a Crime? | | | | obtain a copy of your record as outlined in section one. |
| This question is the most agonizing part of any | | | | Many applications have a Certification/Release |
| ex-offenders job search. Some believe by being | | | | Statement that the applicant must sign before the |
| honest they dont have a chance at getting a job. The | | | | application is considered. This statement may also be |
| fact is an employer cannot legally refuse to hire you | | | | called an Authorization. The wording may vary but the |
| because you have a criminal record unless the | | | | employer is asking you to certify with your signature |
| conviction is directly related to the job for which you | | | | that all of the information you have given is correct. |
| are applying. I have spoken with former inmates who | | | | Part of this certification is a release that gives the |
| have lied on applications and gotten jobs, only to lose | | | | employer access to information provided by past |
| them later when background checks were done. | | | | employers, law enforcement agencies, educational |
| Some have been encouraged to use the response | | | | institutions and other organizations that may have |
| Will discuss at interview. In my opinion, these are not | | | | information about you. |
| good practices. The best advice I can give is BE | | | | In reference to criminal records, it is necessary to list all |
| HONEST! Employers have a responsibility to know as | | | | relative information. Include the name of the conviction, |
| much as possible about prospective employees. There | | | | date, location, and the disposition (time served, fine and |
| have been employers who have been found guilty of | | | | or probation.) |
| negligent hiring when employees who have criminal | | | | Example: |
| pasts committed acts that resulted in harm to others. | | | | Possession of a Controlled Dangerous Substance 8/12 |
| Those situations could have been avoided by careful | | | | 02 Houston , TX Time Served (18 mos.) |
| screening through background checks. Employers will | | | | You may have to practice to fit your response into the |
| ask directly on applications about criminal convictions | | | | space given. For those who have more than one |
| as a means to protect himself, his business, and others. | | | | conviction, list your convictions on a separate sheet of |
| In many states prospective employers may not ask | | | | paper, make copies, and attach a copy to each |
| about arrests that do not end in convictions. Pay | | | | application you complete. In the space provided, write |
| careful attention to the wording of this question. It may | | | | see attached sheet. Be sure to list each and every |
| vary from application to application. Typically the | | | | conviction. I have seen individuals that had been |
| question will ask about convictions of crimes and/or | | | | working on jobs for months, suddenly lose them |
| felonies and not misdemeanors. If you are unsure | | | | because of failing to list one conviction. That is why it is |
| about the type of convictions you have, you should | | | | so important to get a copy of your record. |