Applying for Jobs with a Criminal Record?

Mark25

I am a mature student and am in my final year at an IT doing a Business Studies Degree.

I started the degree after getting out of prison, I got a 2 year sentence for assault. Since prison and getting out I have tried ro move on and plan for the future as u can't change the past.

For the past few years I have been working part time as a waiter, I got the job through a friend and was lucky to get the chance. They know about my past but have proved myself there and I mostly enjoy the work but I want to move on.

I thought it would be a good idea to try and move towards something more business liked so applied for 2 retail jobs that are just temporary in the run up to Christmas. i had the 2 interviews last week and they went very different. The first went well until they asked about the gap on my CV and i was honest and said i had been in prison but had changed and it all changed completely. I didn't get the job. The second one when asked the same I used my cover story of being in Australia and I got a pjone call yesterday offering me the job.

These were just part time jobs coming up to Christmas. I was thinking about hard it is going to be when I apply for full time "better" jobs when I finish college. I am thinking have I wasted the last 3 years if I am not going to get a chance. I am just over 30 as well.

I am really looking for any advice in how to deal with this especially when putting together CVs and doing interviews? I am assuming that most full time jobs are going to ask about a criminal record?t

Tenigate

The Australia story isn't a good one, as larger companies will ask to see your password to verify your entitlement to work in Ireland and will wonder where the Australia stamp is in your passport. Stick to a European destination or say you were taking care of an elderly relative.

Mark25

Tenigate wrote: »

The Australia story isn't a good one, as larger companies will ask to see your password to verify your entitlement to work in Ireland and will wonder where the Australia stamp is in your passport. Stick to a European destination or say you were taking care of an elderly relative.

Never even thought they would do that. Things just seem to get worse.

Sometimes i wonder if there was any point in going back to college. Maybe i should just be sticking to being a waiter or maybe go labouring - that seems to be the only thing they suggest if you've been in prison

SJ.

It's a tough one - there's obviously a victim involved and most people - me included - will think first about them.

However, I don't think you should be denied the chance to earn a living for the rest of your life because of what happened - you're right to move forward, and I have to say fair play for getting to final year - I hope you graduate successfully.

I have to be honest and say that I don't know how I would react if I were interviewing you and this issue came up... but you have basically two options:
1 - lie. Can see the advantages, but can't really recommend - is it worth always worrying that they will find out? I'm sure concealing a conviction would be grounds for dismissal.
You may be able to leave some dates off your CV and see if you can avoid the subject (you don't have to give years for everything)... but that's always going to be a risk.
2 - tell the truth. That's my recommendation but this one is going to need a lot of work - I would start with the guidance people at your college - approach them with the problem and see can they help you work on a good way to get this out in the interview - how to explain it, when, etc. If you need to get some interview training -professionally, that's something that is often a good investment and may be more so in your case.

There will come a point where your conduct after prison will be more important to employers and potential employers than what is in your past. That point will only ever come if you don't give up now. Good luck Mark.

amtc

There is no Australia stamp in your passport any more...it is all electronic. Plus they only need a copy of the picture page. Personally I'd stick with that for the job you have been offered. It's perfectly ok to say you took some time out for personal reasons.

Mark25

SJ. wrote: »

It's a tough one - there's obviously a victim involved and most people - me included - will think first about them.

However, I don't think you should be denied the chance to earn a living for the rest of your life because of what happened - you're right to move forward, and I have to say fair play for getting to final year - I hope you graduate successfully.

I have to be honest and say that I don't know how I would react if I were interviewing you and this issue came up... but you have basically two options:
1 - lie. Can see the advantages, but can't really recommend - is it worth always worrying that they will find out? I'm sure concealing a conviction would be grounds for dismissal.
You may be able to leave some dates off your CV and see if you can avoid the subject (you don't have to give years for everything)... but that's always going to be a risk.
2 - tell the truth. That's my recommendation but this one is going to need a lot of work - I would start with the guidance people at your college - approach them with the problem and see can they help you work on a good way to get this out in the interview - how to explain it, when, etc. If you need to get some interview training -professionally, that's something that is often a good investment and may be more so in your case.

There will come a point where your conduct after prison will be more important to employers and potential employers than what is in your past. That point will only ever come if you don't give up now. Good luck Mark.

Yeah I understand about people thinking of the victim first and I am still ashamed of what Idid. I even say to people i was a bit of a scumbag back then. But I got caught, got sentenced and served the sentence that the court gave me for what i did and am trying to get on with my life.

There was a great thread on here a few weeks ago an AMA to an ex prisoner (not me) and people were so complimentary to him for turning his life around but this type of situation doesn't help people like us one bit.

To be honest, if I was in the situation of doing interviews adn there were two peopel for th job who had about the same qualifications and one had been in prison and one hadn't i would probably chose the person who hadn't thinking why take a risk on somebody like that.

i will go to the careers people in college and get advice but I try to keep my head down about my past. I had to talk to them at first when I applied about it all and they were helpful.

I think I would always be nervous about not disclosing it and the chance of being found out. The only thing is if i was a while in the job and they saw I was a good worker maybe it wouldn't matter so much. What would be really good is if I went to an interview and it didn't come up at all so then I wouldn't be lying.

amtc wrote: »

There is no Australia stamp in your passport any more...it is all electronic. Plus they only need a copy of the picture page. Personally I'd stick with that for the job you have been offered. It's perfectly ok to say you took some time out for personal reasons.

Yes I am gong to take the job I got offered. Butit is only a part time job in the run up to Christmas. It just got me thinking of the problems i will have when applying for a full time business related job.

amtc

amtc wrote: »

There is no Australia stamp in your passport any more...it is all electronic. Plus they only need a copy of the picture page. Personally I'd stick with that for the job you have been offered. It's perfectly ok to say you took some time out for personal reasons.

I have an Aus stamp in my passport from last year, having done all the visa stuff online.


I mean this isn't insurmountable. Destroy your passport (or stick it in a drawer), declare it lost, get a new one.

Would you not approach one of the organisation that help ex prisoners they might be able to find you a work placement once you get the first job you wouldn't need to bring it up with every job.

Ireland is small country though.

Mark25

mariaalice wrote: »

Would you not approach one of the organisation that help ex prisoners they might be able to find you a work placement once you get the first job you wouldn't need to bring it up with every job.

Ireland is small country though.

I suppose I could but not sounding bad I'm not sure if it''s a work placement type job I am looking for. I am already working as a waiter and got that myself. And I'd prefer not to be seen as the ex prisoner on a placement if you know what I mean

Jim2007

Mark25 wrote: »

I am really looking for any advice in how to deal with this especially when putting together CVs and doing interviews? I am assuming that most full time jobs are going to ask about a criminal record?t

You should be aware that most financial institutions will not only ask, but will also conduct a background check. In some cases it's just policy and in other cases it is a legal requirement.

Such background checks are usually conducted by a service provider and will include:
- Police clearance certificate
- Review of court records
- Newspaper clippings
- Social Media
- Etc.

Unfortunately in most cases they will not employ a person with a record... In some case you may be able to get around this by going via a service company.

Heart Break Kid

When you start looking for career type jobs, it may be worthile checking out career events and asking about their thoughts on excons applying. Have a genuine chat and see if it phases them. Just where possible, the less lies the better.

Rubberchikken

Some businesses readily give those who've served time a chance of employment.
I know this opportunity is more available in Britain but there are surely some employers here who do this.
There's really nothing to be gained by lying about the gap in the c.v. this kind of thing can only backfire.
You've proven you can work and remain on the straight and narrow. You seem determined to continue like this. Good luck

Mark25

Mark25 wrote: »

I suppose I could but not sounding bad I'm not sure if it''s a work placement type job I am looking for. I am already working as a waiter and got that myself. And I'd prefer not to be seen as the ex prisoner on a placement if you know what I mean

But the point is those sort of organisation have the contacts to get you over the first hurdler and once you have the experiences and a reference its easier for someone to take you on as someone else has taken the chance. The other thing you could consider is some sort of self employment as you are doing an IT business course.

Mark25

Rubberchikken wrote: »

Some businesses readily give those who've served time a chance of employment.
I know this opportunity is more available in Britain but there are surely some employers here who do this.
There's really nothing to be gained by lying about the gap in the c.v. this kind of thing can only backfire.
You've proven you can work and remain on the straight and narrow. You seem determined to continue like this. Good luck

Thanks.

Yeah I;ve been reading about England and it seems a lot better there. Some companies make a point of hiring ex prisoners and they have a Rehabilitation of Offenders Act where you don't have to declare your conviction after a certain time. I think for a sentence like mine it is only 4 or 5 years.

They started doing it on a small scale here but it is 7 years for even a traffic conviction. And it doesn't apply if you have more than 1 conviction or you get more than 12 months in prison. So on both those I wouldn't get it anyway.

Mark25

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

When you start looking for career type jobs, it may be worthile checking out career events and asking about their thoughts on excons applying. Have a genuine chat and see if it phases them. Just where possible, the less lies the better.

Yeah that's a good idea. Ex Con is one phrase I hate though!

Anyway just wondering if anybody know can companies ring up the Gardai and request a person's record on how does it work? Do you have to give permission for them to do it?

Tenigate

Mark25 wrote: »

Yeah that's a good idea. Ex Con is one phrase I hate though!

Anyway just wondering if anybody know can companies ring up the Gardai and request a person's record on how does it work? Do you have to give permission for them to do it?

You give them permission, and even then they need a good reason for requesting garda vetting. Working with kids or vulnerable adults, working with sensitive info (think investment banks, where there can be risks of insider trading).. i worked in many i.t and accounting jobs over the years and was never garda vetted except in my current role in the charity sector.

Tenigate

Heart Break Kid wrote: »

When you start looking for career type jobs, it may be worthile checking out career events and asking about their thoughts on excons applying.

I'd disagree. Career events like career zoo .. i attended it once. Too busy. Free pens. Company representatives who seemed to have nothing to do with the hiring process. Definitely not a time or place to discuss your life history.

Jim2007

Mark25 wrote: »

Yeah that's a good idea. Ex Con is one phrase I hate though!

Anyway just wondering if anybody know can companies ring up the Gardai and request a person's record on how does it work? Do you have to give permission for them to do it?

I just completed the process yesterday for a consulting assignment at a Swiss bank, here in Zurich. The background check is being carried out by a company in the UK called Credence. They wanted everything back to my leaving cert results in 1981! It was the most details I have ever done and I've done several over the years.

For the police checks, I had to sign a form for the Garda (I have not lived in Ireland in over 25 years, but they still wanted it) and The Swiss local and federal police. So I'd say yes they need your permission to get police background checks.

GypsyByName

Ex Prisoner here, you might have read my AMA some weeks back. My advice...........be honest! If you deceive them you will go to work every day praying that they never find out. Its no way to live. Yes you are going to come up against some interviewers that will not be able to look past your conviction but you will find somewhere that will.

Peace of mind is a valuable commodity my friend. You cant have any if you have to constantly live a lie.

Just my tuppence worth!

kravmaga

Mark25 wrote: »

I am a mature student and am in my final year at an IT doing a Business Studies Degree.

I started the degree after getting out of prison, I got a 2 year sentence for assault. Since prison and getting out I have tried ro move on and plan for the future as u can't change the past.

For the past few years I have been working part time as a waiter, I got the job through a friend and was lucky to get the chance. They know about my past but have proved myself there and I mostly enjoy the work but I want to move on.

I thought it would be a good idea to try and move towards something more business liked so applied for 2 retail jobs that are just temporary in the run up to Christmas. i had the 2 interviews last week and they went very different. The first went well until they asked about the gap on my CV and i was honest and said i had been in prison but had changed and it all changed completely. I didn't get the job. The second one when asked the same I used my cover story of being in Australia and I got a pjone call yesterday offering me the job.

These were just part time jobs coming up to Christmas. I was thinking about hard it is going to be when I apply for full time "better" jobs when I finish college. I am thinking have I wasted the last 3 years if I am not going to get a chance. I am just over 30 as well.

I am really looking for any advice in how to deal with this especially when putting together CVs and doing interviews? I am assuming that most full time jobs are going to ask about a criminal record?t

Hi Mark, well done on moving on from your past and im sure you have learned a lot, we are all human and humans make mistakes in life, once you have learned from it thats the main thing and you have turned things around by doing the IT Business Studies degree, stick with it.

I would not tell an employer that you were in Prison for the temp xmas positions you mentioned in your post. Just say that you had to act as a carer for your parents or you travelled around Europe, lots of people travel nowadays.

Most civil service position have Garda vetting forms to complete as part of the candidate process, not sure about private sector. Look at the Garda vetting website for further information.

Your a young man at 30 with your whole life ahead of you, aim high after you finish college.
Most companies will have open days for IT graduates and may even come into your college to recruit from your class as IT people are in big demand now.

Best of luck, keep positive and dont worry