Explaining Jail Time On the Job Search

Posted by: Lindsey Gerdes on April 30

I just got an interesting pitch from a law firm that specializes in clearing criminal records:

..One thing that can bring a job seeker down is their criminal record. We’re not talking grand theft auto here, we’re talking about a DUI in college, or an assault charge for a bar fight.

It appears that they only serve clients in certain states, including California, Texas, Florida and a handful more. I’m not vouching for them (I know very little about the firm) but this is an interesting question I hadn’t really considered: What is your best bet when you have something on your criminal record and are seeking employment?

If you can get it expunged or sealed, that would obviously be preferable. But what’s the best course of action if you do have a permanent blot on your record?

Be upfront about it, says Diane Borhani, Deloitte’s National Campus Recruiting Leader. “We expect you to be open and honest,” says Borhani. “If you know something will come up it’s in your best interest to always articulate it.” Otherwise, she notes, it will come out later in the background check that Deloitte conducts, meaning you’ll not only look like a criminal but also a liar.

While she says that all hope is not lost if you do have a record, Deloitte will take into account the severity of the crime as well as whether or not you’ve taken proactive measures to correct any past questionable behavior.

And your record still may be a dealbreaker, but in the end, it’s good to know where you stand sooner rather than later.