3 ms·

I have plenty of experience here, so I can comment. I've never had a problem finding a gig even though I'm a felon, but I don't work with BigCorp because that'

by joshmn 9y ago

I have plenty of experience here, so I can comment. I've never had a problem finding a gig even though I'm a felon, but I don't work with BigCorp because that's not my scene (and it's probably harder to market myself as a felon to anyway): At the end of the initial phone call / screening, I tell them, transparently: "there's no way I can pass a background check by the way" It has always been well received, even to recruiters and head hunters.

ichamo 9y ago
I also have experience with this. I'd say the industry type and company size matter a great deal. Felons are legally barred from working at any FDIC insured company. So forget banking/finance. Also healthcare will also have stringent background checks. Giant corporations may have policies that immediately skip over you regardless. I'm not sure how I've made it really. Luck mostly. I'm ten years removed from my arrest and it still comes back to haunt me.
- joshmn 9y ago
  The worst part for me has been finding a place to live. I've even offered to pay annually and up-front.
hluska 9y ago
This is the best advice that I've read here. I can only upvote you once, but I think it would be amazing if OP could read this.
patricius 9y ago
Danish person here. How does it work? Will the background check reveal what crime was committed, or just that you are a felon? I could imagine knowing the specific crime could influence the final decision on hiring or not, no?
- ams6110 9y ago
  Arrests, prosecutions, and convictions are a matter of public record. So the specific offense and sentence will turn up in any criminal history background check, unless you are able to get your record sealed or expunged which I think only happens in cases where you were a minor offender and went through the juvenile system, or when a conviction is overturned on appeal or other extenuating circumstances that are fairly unusual.

by joshmn 9y ago

ichamo 9y ago

I also have experience with this. I'd say the industry type and company size matter a great deal. Felons are legally barred from working at any FDIC insured company. So forget banking/finance. Also healthcare will also have stringent background checks. Giant corporations may have policies that immediately skip over you regardless. I'm not sure how I've made it really. Luck mostly. I'm ten years removed from my arrest and it still comes back to haunt me.

joshmn 9y ago
The worst part for me has been finding a place to live. I've even offered to pay annually and up-front.

hluska 9y ago

This is the best advice that I've read here. I can only upvote you once, but I think it would be amazing if OP could read this.

patricius 9y ago

Danish person here. How does it work? Will the background check reveal what crime was committed, or just that you are a felon? I could imagine knowing the specific crime could influence the final decision on hiring or not, no?

ams6110 9y ago
Arrests, prosecutions, and convictions are a matter of public record. So the specific offense and sentence will turn up in any criminal history background check, unless you are able to get your record sealed or expunged which I think only happens in cases where you were a minor offender and went through the juvenile system, or when a conviction is overturned on appeal or other extenuating circumstances that are fairly unusual.