6 Tips to Help You Get a Job with a Criminal Record
Finding a job can be difficult. From searching for an opening to getting in the door for an interview, it is a time-consuming and often frustrating process. It is much more difficult if you have a criminal record, as this will limit your employment opportunities. These tips will help you in your search to find employment.
1. Clean Up Your Criminal Record
There are a number of legal ways to either erase your criminal conviction from your record or lessen the impact it has on your employment opportunities.
Expungement (PC 1203.4) – Certain crimes can be expunged from your record, which means that you no longer have to disclose these convictions on job applications. With the passing of Proposition 47, many crimes may be reduced from felonies to misdemeanors, and thereafter expunged from your record.
Certificate of Rehabilitation (PC 4852) – You can also seek a Certificate of Rehabilitation from the court. This will not remove the record of your conviction, but will provide you with a declaration that, in the court’s opinion, you are completely rehabilitated of the crime for which you were convicted. It is a statement by the court that your criminal history is just that – history – and that you are ready to become a productive and upstanding member of society.
The Certificate of Rehabilitation also provides you with an automatic application to the governor’s office for a pardon, but in some cases, you may be able to bypass this step and apply directly to the governor’s office for the pardon. Like a Certificate of Rehabilitation, a pardoned conviction must be disclosed to potential employers on your employment application, but it serves as proof that the State of California no longer considers you a threat to repeat your past crime.
2. Clean Up Your Digital Record
Many people are leaving a digital trail of their lives without even knowing it. Between checking in on Facebook, photos on Instagram and random thoughts on Twitter, people are sharing much of their lives on social media sites. However, you need to know that your digital record can be viewed by anyone, including potential employers.
Make sure that your social media contains nothing to tip off employers of a past criminal conviction. If you want to remain active on social media, consider disabling your active accounts and creating new ones. Be sure to use privacy settings on social networks so that people you don’t know can’t view your profiles.
3. Networking
If you have a criminal record, employers are likely to assume you are not a reliable person. However, you may be able to avoid this negative perception if you connect with individuals in your personal network. If you have a recommendation from a trusted source, potential employers may be willing to overlook your criminal history.
Explore your personal network by talking to friends and family about job opportunities, and use sites such as LinkedIn to connect with people who may be willing to hire you. Join organizations and associations that focus on the field in which you are seeking employment. If you meet someone face to face, you are more likely to be considered for a job opening.
4. Ask for Help
For many of us, asking for help can be difficult. But sometimes, accomplishing goals is much easier with the help of others. This is especially true when searching for jobs.
To that end, there are employment agencies and organizations that give guidance and help jobseekers with criminal records. Government organizations also provide training and job finding resources for people in your situation, such as the National Transitional Jobs Network 1 and America Works.2
5. Do Not Lie about Your Conviction
If you have a criminal conviction on your record, it may be best to be up front and tell potential employers when you begin the application and interview process. Many employers will be impressed that you did not wait for them to ask about the conviction or try to hide it from them.
In an interview, you should tackle the subject head on. Avoid saying something generic like “I learned my lesson.” Instead, explain how you learned your lesson. Talk about what you learned and what you have done, such as how you spent your community service hours or the kinds of workshop programs you did while you were incarcerated. An employer might find value in someone who can make the most out of a difficult situation by finding ways to better him or herself.
6. Become Your Own Boss
If you still can’t find a job due to your criminal past, you can start your own business. The Prison Entrepreneurship Program teaches former prison inmates to harness their potential and become business leaders and entrepreneurs. 3 You may be able to obtain freelance or contract work without disclosing your criminal past, or if you are thinking bigger, you may be able to line up investors if you have a solid idea and business plan.
Contact Wallin & Klarich Today For Help
At Wallin & Klarich, our more than 40 years of experience has taught us that a prior conviction is an obstacle to finding employment, but not one that is impossible to overcome. We have successfully helped many clients clean up their criminal pasts, and helped them take an important step on the road to finding a new life through a new career. Let us help you, too. Call us today.
With offices in Los Angeles, Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Tustin, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, West Covina and Victorville, there is a Wallin & Klarich attorney near you who is experienced in helping clients obtain post-conviction relief in California.
Call us today at (877) 4-NO-JAIL or (877) 466-5245 for a free, no obligation telephone consultation. We will be there when you call.
1. [http://www.heartlandalliance.org/ntjn/]↩
2. [http://www.americaworks.com/]↩
3. [http://www.pep.org]↩
