How Can I Get a Job If I Have a Police Record?

You may be asked about your police record.

When applying for a job you potential employeer runs a background check. Because of this, it is a important to disclose any information relating to past events. Lying on your resume is more damaging to your chances of obtaining a job than actually having the police record. Depending on what job you are applying for and what the police record is may or may not have an effect on your ability to land a job.

Instructions

1. Read the application and see if it asks for any "convicted" accounts or "accused" account. If the application wants all convicted accounts and you had a mistrial you don't need to report this. Make sure to date when the event took place. If it happened five years ago and at the time you were in college your job employer may not even care.

2. Add in what time you served, or how much community service you performed to make amends for the police issue (maybe you only had to pay a fine). You want to show you've paid your debt to society.

3. Tell the truth when your employee asks about it after going over your application (it may or may not come up). Do not lie about the event because your employer can find out.

4. Avoid applying for jobs that have a direct relation with your police record. If you have several DUIs (or DWIs) on your driving record you don't want to apply to be a bus driver. Chances are you aren't going to receive the time of day.

5. Talk to your local court house and see about having your criminal record sealed. This means only individuals inside the criminal justice system can see the information. People running background checks cannot see the information.

6. Obtain letters of recommendation from people who state how you have changed, that you are a good worker and that you are not going to commit the crime again. Some people you can ask for a letter of recommendation include past employers, treatment personnel and a probation officer. Most individuals are more than likely to write you a letter because it increases your chances to obtain the job.

Tips & Warnings

• You may have specific organizations in your community that help individuals with a police record find work (especially if you live near a larger city). However, if you need help tracking down work you can use one of the national networks by accessing sites such as: The National H.I.R.E network, Hirenetwork.org; Center for Employment Opportunities, CEOWorks.org; and The Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services, CASES.org.

References

• Mass Legal Help: Criminal Records
• JobWeb: Overcoming Obstacles to Employment

Resources

• National HIRE Network
• Center for Employment Opportunities
• The Center for Alternative Sentencing & Employment Services