How to Get a Job With a Misdemeanor

Misdemeanors don't rule out employment possibilities

Although misdemeanors are less severe criminal acts than felonies, repeat offenses can result in jail time. Depending on the type of misdemeanor, jail time of up to a year may occur. Examples of misdemeanors include petty theft, public intoxication, prostitution, drug possession, trespassing and vandalism. A misdemeanor can negatively impact your search for employment but it is still possible to find a job.

Instructions

1. Note the difference between felonies and misdemeanors and the impact it will have on your search for a job. Employers tend to automatically reject felons because the crimes associated with felonies are more severe than those with misdemeanors. With a misdemeanor, it is possible the employer may think twice before rejecting you.

2. Be honest and straightforward on your application. It is very likely that the company will do a background check on you before hiring you. The background check will expose all your convictions so it's better to be up front about them. State on the application exactly what the misdemeanor is for and the circumstances surrounding it.

3. Be aware that the probability of the employer hiring you will have a lot to do with the nature of the violation. For instance, if you were 19 years old and were charged with public drunkenness you may fare better than if you committed theft, which can raise questions about your morals. Furthermore, your chance of getting hired may depend on the type of job you are seeking. For instance, if you are applying for a bank teller position and were charged with petty theft, most likely you will have a tough time convincing the employer to hire you.

4. Search for jobs that are irrelevant to your misdemeanor. If you are having a hard time finding a job in your chosen field due to a misdemeanor, in order to earn some type of living, try looking for odd jobs such as painting or maintenance work. Meanwhile, do what you can to show that you have learned from your mistake. For instance, if your misdemeanor is related to anger problems, take courses in anger management. This shows prospective employers that you are determined to improve your life.

Tips & Warnings

• The Internet service Hard2Hire.com works with employers open to hiring individuals with misdemeanors. Although the service provides you with matches for jobs, you still have to interview effectively in order to gain the job.

• You may be eligible to have your misdemeanor expunged (erasure of the conviction) if you went to court over the misdemeanor. Eligibility for the expungement depends on the seriousness of the misdemeanor, the amount of time that has passed since the offense and whether you are on probation.

References

• Third Judicial District Court: You Have Been Charged with a Misdemeanor--What Happens Now?

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Hard2Hire.com