If you have ever been arrested or convicted of a misdemeanor or a felony offense, you may be worried about your ability to get a new job. These concerns are not completely without some merit, but it is important for you to know that you can definitely find a good job even with a criminal history.
As explained by Monster.com, one of the leading job hunting and recruiting sites, before you even apply for a specific job, it is wise for you to carefully choose what type of jobs you want to find relative to your criminal experiences. For example, if you have been convicted of drunk driving, you may be better off not to apply for a job in which you must drive as an integral part of performing your duties. Your criminal record may have less impact on your job search if you look for jobs that are not related to your history.
The other important thing for you to do is to proactively tell a potential employer about your past before they find out on their own. This does not mean, however, that you should include this information on your application, but rather that you disclose the information before a background check has been conducted. This gives you the chance to explain what you learned from the experience as well.
This information is not intended to provide legal advice but is instead meant to help job seekers with criminal pasts navigate the application and background check process so they can effectively rebuild their lives and find good jobs that provide for themselves and their families.