After getting free from the felony conviction sentence, the person is in a dire need of employment. However, challenges remain for the job applicant. It becomes a daunting task as the past conviction haunts the person always.
Further, during an interview, the employer asks the individual several questions. You are forced to answer these questions.
Do you tend to hide your past felony conviction or disclose everything with honesty? The individual might end up in an uncomfortable position during this time.
The Job Interview Process
When it comes to the job interview, the employer takes into consideration background checks before final hiring. Some of the companies do include an additional screening of the applicants. It may include one on one interaction, competency interview, and discussion with the panel. The questions asked can be random, and if an applicant has a criminal history, it ends up in more questions.
If an individual does not disclose his or her past conviction, the employer might find out the truth. Based on the background checks done by the company, the job applicant can end up in trouble. To manage the same, let us look at how to cope up with the interview.
Difference between Arrest and Conviction
When a person commits a crime, he or she is held for a felony conviction. Talking about the arrest, it arises when a person is taken into custody. However, law enforcement does not state that the person is guilty of a crime. On the other end, conviction takes place when a person has committed a crime. The crime can be either a felony or a misdemeanor.
Any company employer can ask the job application about a felony or arrest. There is not a rule to stop these questions; however, some states often state it as illegal.
Considering this, the job applicant should understand the difference between arrest and conviction. Based on these, they can answer the interviewer’s questions carefully.
What Does The Federal Law Suggests?
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission allows employers to ask questions. It may relate to the felony in the past or any arrests made. However, the law states that no company can discriminate against job applicants.
Meanwhile, talking about hiring individuals is solely based on the nature of the job. The companies have to check whether the person does not pose a risk to other employees. When the job type relates to financial services or law enforcement, it includes strict considerations.
Further, the employer has full liberty to check the seriousness, the time of the conviction, and requirements before hiring an individual.
Answer To the Queries Wisely
Telling the truth is the best option for a job applicant. Either it is a conviction, arrest, or misdemeanor; sharing details with the employer will not exclude you. However, telling lies during an interview can put you in legal trouble. The interviewer gets a valid reason for not hiring you.
Here the solution is that the job applicant should apply for another position. Employment that does not ask for security or trust is a good-to-go option.
How to Cope With the Interview?
The first thing is to make sure the applicant checks everything carefully. Do not mind sharing everything with truth and honesty. However, sharing extra information can tend the employer asking you more questions.
Meanwhile, taking into consideration particular types of felonies, the employer can ask about the period. The job applicant gets the opportunity to share the felony records if any the employer might check. Secondly, the job applicant can also check to seal the records.
When it comes to interviewing, Massachusetts State in the USA has the rule to ban employers from Interview questions about felony conviction related to a felony. However, it depends on state-to-state, how the employers get insights into an individual’s case. Whereas, some of them do ask only about during felony conviction interview.
Conclusion
The hiring decision is finally based on the applicant’s information shared. Further, the employment is based on the nature of the job. Either criminal conviction or arrest, the job applicant can end up getting a job. Just make sure to share the truth during the interview.
