Will my past come back to haunt me?

Poloman

Hi

Basically I have been shortlisted for a position and a number of us are going for a final interview. Obviously its a great job and I really want it but we have to fill out a Garda Vetting form and say if we have been convicted of any offences.

I was convicted a few years back for drink driving. Its a long story and I have no-one else to blame but myself I know. I was incredibly stupid so please dont lecture me as I feel bad enough. I know I was daft and got what I deserved and I really regret it. I have done my driving ban. This was a few years ago.

How bad do you think this will look when I hand in the form for my interview? I know some people in a government agency (this job is government based as well) and they say they dont bat an eyelid at drink driving its more serious convictions like assault, theft etc they really look out for.

Do you think this will stop me getting the job? I dont want to say what the job is but it is nothing to do with driving.

star-pants

Not that I condone drink-driving, but there's probably a lot of people out there who've been caught for it. It's breaking the law yes, but it's not theft or assault or murder. You served your punishment and it's not like you have repeat offendings.

I'm sure the bosses will look at all aspects of everyone applying, if you've gotten this far for the shortlist they are obviously looking at your ability to do the job (which has nothing to do with driving anyway). I wouldn't worry much tbh - Everyone has their little mistakes adn the fact you're facing them and being honest about it shows that you accept it and have moved on. They will see that. They *may* ask you about it (I don't know) but I don't think it'll be detrimental to your application.

Nevyn

Be clear up front and honest about it and show regret rather then trying to brazen it out.

If it's mentioned, I would say I was caught the morning after.. I'd imagine this looks alot better to a potential employer than saying you were caught actually drunk.

Poloman

Thanks guys but when they retrieve the court order they see it was in the evening time. I will be completely clear, honest and show regret if asked. Hopefully they might realise that this kind of thing would never ever happen again which is true but I guess if its down to a few of us and they need something to seperate us then that may be a factor. Well they might just rule me out straight away I dont know which would break my heart. I just need to do another brilliant interview and take it from there.

Obviously I'm extremely upset with my actions and I will be clear and up front I just wanted a bit of confidence so thanks.

LegacyUser

Poloman wrote: »

Thanks guys but when they retrieve the court order they see it was in the evening time. I will be completely clear, honest and show regret if asked. Hopefully they might think I am less likely to re-offend which is true but I guess if its down to a few of us and they need something to seperate us then that may be a factor. Well they might just rule me out straight away I dont know. I just need to do another brilliant interview and take it from there.

Obviously I'm extremely upset with my actions and I will be clear and up front I just wanted a bit of confidence so thanks.

If it was over 5 years ago then you are in the clear, Licence and record wiped clean

Dizzyblonde

I can't imagine it would make much of a difference, it's not like a criminal record for theft or assault.
Best of luck - you're doing the right thing being honest about it

Diddler82

If I am being honest it will go against you.

If they have 2 candidates both of which are inseparable at interview stage physical assessment etc etc and then one guy has a previous Road Traffice Offence, who do you think will get the job?

It is a harsh reality but a true one.

Furthermore, I am not preaching here, I have asked about this because I was caught DD in October, ban started on the 1st of March and I had an interest in applying but was told since best to wait 2/3 years before applying because of a) my 12 Month ban and b) How it looks on your record.

Again, not looking for a lecture, I was 38/100 with the legal limit being 35/100 and was done the next morning. Not bitter over it, the Garda was doing his job.

But back on topic, I think it will go against you there just does not seem to be too may people willing to say it...a lot "maybe" talk, Im just giving my opinion that came from current Garda surrounding my own circumstances.

ScumLord

Unregistered wrote: »

If it was over 5 years ago then you are in the clear, Licence and record wiped clean

Since when do they do this? On tv the other day (Irish tv the seioge sisters) they said your conviction is over you the rest of your life and worse the justice system in Ireland doesn't differentiate between crimes. So on paper a tv licence evader is in the same boat as a drug dealer. They do differentiate in other country's.

Poloman

i agree if it was down to 2 people it would stand against me yes. My question was really if they see was I in court will they just throw away my interview after it completes... hopefully not.

I think your garda friend needs to go back to Templemore. That is a common mis-conception. No point in waiting 2-3 years. Convictions in court stay on record.

If it goes to court (for anything) then it stays on record for the rest of your life so waiting 2-3 is pointless. I have done research from the courts, solicitors and even the garda vetting unit.

The best that can happen is after 5 clean years you can apply for a new driving licence so the endorsement doesnt show up on your licence which might be for insurance purposes.

However if a grada vetting is ever done for a position or anything then it will always show that you were in court even when you are 60 years of age. So if you lie on your application and the vetting WILL show you were up in court you will be disqualified for lying so its better to be honest.

PS For a tenner (cheque or bank draft) you can get a copy of the signed document the judge signed disqualifying you. Contact the court house you were in for details. Im getting mine tomorrow to see what it says exactly as thats what perspective employers will receive.

Turner

Dont forget it is only a road traffic offence, not a criminal offence like assault, theft, criminal damage.

The same as speeding or driving with no tax, no insurance or no nct.

If your ban is over, and your endorsement is off your license I dont see why it should go against you.

Best of luck.

wicklori

Because of work I had a bit of training in Garda vetting. The usual answer is that if the conviction is relevant to the post you are applying for then it may influence the recruitment process. In other words if you were applying for a driving post and had your conviction then it might be more of a factor than if you were applying for an admin post for example.
Usually, before one sends off the Garda vetting form the prospective employer will ask you if you have any convictions and that's the really important bit!!! Tell them before they find out!!!

After visiting this thread again,

no.1 - there is a good chance this will go against you if the interviewer has a personal issue with drink driving.. like most people do. yes it was a long time ago but for alot of people, this is irrelevant.

no.2 - nothing personal but a part of me thinks it's better that this will hold you back in life. not as a punishment for you but as a deterrent for others.. people need to know that aside from risking lives, a conviction will harm all aspects of your own life.


again, nothing personal.. but the more reasons we give people not to drink drive, the better.

tunedout

Deleted User wrote: »

After visiting this thread again,

no.1 - there is a good chance this will go against you if the interviewer has a personal issue with drink driving.. like most people do. yes it was a long time ago but for alot of people, this is irrelevant.

no.2 - nothing personal but a part of me thinks it's better that this will hold you back in life. not as a punishment for you but as a deterrent for others.. people need to know that aside from risking lives, a conviction will harm all aspects of your own life.


again, nothing personal.. but the more reasons we give people not to drink drive, the better.

what an ar*ehole

RossFixxxed

As someone who's life was destroyed by a drink driver it is very, very hard NOT to go on the attack to be honest.

It could well stand against you. If there is any relevance to the job. If the employer, like me, despises drink drivers of any kind you wont' get it. I woldn't hire someone with that on a record personally. There are plenty of other candidates at the moment looking for work.

The company I work for has a zero tolerance to any conviction policy.

It's hard to know tbh, but it may well hold you back.

Taltos

tunedout - banned for 1 week.
Per our charter and faq we ask posters not to resurrect old threads - this is 3 years old but more importantly we do not tolerate any personal abuse.

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