Do you have to explain your criminal charges during a job interview?
By wgraham116
@wgraham116 (39)
United States
October 2, 2010 4:30pm CST
I have some misdemeanor charges from my past and i'm wondering if that's why i'm having so much trouble getting a job now. I was a plant supervisor for 5 years and my department closed down and relocated in October 2009. Since then i have been on several interviews for a job and each employee ask me have i every been convicted of an charges. I have always been honest with them because i don't want them to think i'm lying. I have some simple assault charges but after i tell them i never hear from them again. I am a very qualified person for the jobs i have applied for but i starting to think that they are considering my past as a problem. Most companies so background checks so it's impossible to hide your past. Should i take a different approach or what?
3 people like this
6 responses
@starrose_ara (784)
• Philippines
3 Oct 10
If they did not ask you regarding any minor infractions that you may have done in the past then don't mention it. Sometimes too much honesty does not do you good especially when you know in your heart that you have change and evolve into a better person. Your prospective employer knows you only for what information you might give them. Anyways if your not a serial killer then why bother them with information that is best kept in your past.
1 person likes this
@hoodblock86 (84)
• United States
3 Oct 10
If the charges are not felony's then i dont think that you should bring them up because 9 times out of 10 they will still give you the job.If you do have a felony then i think that its best not to lie because when they do the backround check on you then thats going to show up and its going to be alittle bit harder to get the job.
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
3 Oct 10
Yes, I would definitely say that this is a tough position for you to be in. This is probably contributing to your not securing a new job. I think the fact that you have been honest about your past, this has been the correct approach from you but as you have experienced, potential employers tend to run a mile from you! This probably sounds like bad advice but as you have not had much luck by being honest you may have to walk down the path of being dishonest! Don't tell any other employers about your past and hopefully they won't find out. If do secure a job and your employer found out that you had criminal charges in your past then the worst that could happen is you would lose your job.
You have to think of yourself and forget about honesty, it's about your survival. I wish you luck. Andrew
@prinzcy (32305)
• Malaysia
3 Oct 10
It must be hard when something like this happen. But still, don't hide and be honest. It's better from them finding out about it later on and fired you. It's better for you to work without feeling guilty or anything. Plus, they would probably see that you repented and already start a new life after that.
@sender621 (14893)
• United States
3 Oct 10
You should only have to explain criminal charges during an interview if it has anything to do with the job you are seeking. Otherwise, the crimes you have committed and paid for should not be the business of your employer.
