
The Federal government has two programs to encourage employers to hire ex-offenders. Employer benefits of hiring an ex-offender.My conviction was a mistake I made, but I have turned my life around. They are incredibly loving and supportive. I have reconnected with my family and am living with my parents. Since my conviction, I have earned my GED and have gotten my beauty license. I took part in an addiction program and am now drug free. Talk about these changes - for example, joining AA, attending support groups, seeking counseling, leaving an abusive relationship, finding new law-abiding friends, reconnecting with a supportive family.Įxample of felony explanation in an interview: “Seven years ago, I was convicted of possessing a controlled substance. Since your conviction, you have probably made changes in your life to make sure you don’t ever go to prison again. Stress that you’ve turned your life around.Tell the employer what your experience taught you – for example, quickly gaining social skills, respecting authority, taking direction, tapping into creativity or setting goals. No one wants to get enmeshed in the criminal justice system, but everyone who does learns something from the experience. Put a positive spin on your experience.Do not make excuses or try to justify the crime. Give the interviewer a brief explanation of your crime. The older the crime the better, so mention if it was a long time ago. Give a very brief explanation of your crime including only the necessary information and leaving out the personal details and drama.It’s also the time when you will have to explain your felony conviction. If you get an interview, congratulations! This is your chance to show the employer who you are and why you would be a good fit for the position. Recent or serious conviction example: “I would like the opportunity to explain this situation more fully to you at an interview.” At the Interview If your conviction is recent or more serious in nature, ask to explain the situation in person. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you in more detail at an interview. Since my release, I have turned my life around. I served time in prison for this offense. Old conviction example: “Ten years ago, I was convicted of driving while under the influence of alcohol. If the application gives you space to explain your conviction, and if the conviction is far in the past, state what the conviction was and how long ago it happened, explain that you’ve turned your life around, and welcome an opportunity to discuss it in person. If your conviction was seven years ago, you can simply say “no,” and move on. For example, some job applications simply ask for felony convictions in the past five years. Read the felony question carefully! Not all felony questions are the same.Also, the farther back in time the conviction occurred, the better. Many employers will forgive a single drug possession conviction or a DUI, but not a string of theft convictions or assaults. Some convictions are better than others.It’s important that you review it first and clean up any problems before you apply for a job. It is not uncommon for your criminal record to contain incorrect information, and prospective employers will probably see it. Most employers will run a background check and learn about your criminal record, whether you tell them or not. When applying for a job, you may be asked about felony convictions.
