Finding a job with a criminal record

Everyone makes mistakes. Unfortunately, a criminal record can pose a major frustration for many people. One area where criminal records definitely create obstacles is in the area of employment.

This is unfortunate because often people with records need the psychological boost and steady routine that employment offers in order to get back on track.

If you have a criminal record, it’s important not to become discouraged. Here are some tips for keeping your life on track:

Be flexible: Maybe your dream job is in health, or security, or even working with kids. However, every time you look at job postings, you see that they require a background check. You might have to adjust your expectations if you want to move forward. Think about going back to school and pursuing Plan B, or finding a job in a similar field that doesn’t require a background check.

Network: It’s often said that the unadvertised job market is the best the source of employment. Get out and network at events in your industry or the industry where you want to find work. Once people have a chance to get to know you, they may not care so much about a past record.

Make your own opportunities: Have you ever dreamed about opening your own shop or restaurant? How about fixing cars or building websites? Maybe you love animals and would like to pamper them with a doggie daycare or dog walking business. The opportunities for self-employment are endless. If you are on Employment Insurance, you might qualify for funding.

Get support from family and friends: When you are dealing with rejection from companies, it can be very discouraging. Talk to your friends and family. These connections can help assure you of your value and build your confidence.

Get resume advice: Pass your resume around to friends, teachers, professors and others for advice. They may be able to pick out errors that you overlooked or to help you make your accomplishments stand out more. You can also get advice for free at government employment offices. Make an appointment to speak to a counsellor. If you are a student or recent grad, your college or university likely has an employment office. Public libraries are another good place to find career resources. 

  

Apply for a Record Suspension: When you receive a Record Suspension (pardon), you will no longer need to worry about employers being able to access your record. In most cases, you can apply for any kind of job, such as health or security. (There are some exceptions around certain types of offences if the employer is conducting a Vulnerable Record Check.) 

Are you ready to put the past behind you and realize your true potential? Contact us today.

How to deal with a background check for a new job

Job interviews are stressful for everybody, but for those with criminal records, the anxiety and disappointment can be heightened by the dreaded “background check.”

In most cases, people with criminal records are not unreliable or dishonest. Often the events are well in the past and the applicant has changed and grown. However, these past mistakes come up again and again every time they change positions or face a lay-off.

These days, it’s estimated that a person may change jobs 10 to 15 times during their career. That’s a lot of interviews.

In most cases an employer won’t ask for a record check unless they are seriously considering hiring the person. However, with the advent of the digital age, more and more companies are offering to perform this service. All those different companies are marketing to employers and convincing them that they should check out new and even current employees.

How will I know if the company is going to do a background check?

If you are filling out an application form online or at the place of business, it will often include a notification that a background check will be done. Sometimes it will even include a checkbox for you to consent to the background check. Sometimes it’s buried in the fine print. Other times, it will be vaguer and say that a check may be done depending on the relevance to the position.

Sometimes you won’t be notified until you get to the interview stage. In this case, the interviewer may tell you, or you may be asked to sign a piece of paper to consent to the background check.

Then there’s the possibility that the employer will offer you the job and only then mention there’s just the one formality of the background check. By this point you may have consented already by signing the application form or checking a box.  

What should you tell the employer about your record?  

If you have consented to the background check or been advised that one will take place, it’s best to assume that the employer will be looking at your record. Facing reality will give you an opportunity to address it and dispel any concerns.

If the employer doesn’t bring it up, but you know you have consented on the application form, you should raise it casually towards the end. By the end of the interview, you will have had a chance to sell yourself as a credible candidate and build rapport with the interviewer. When you do bring it up, some things to focus on are:

•  The time since the event happened
•   How you’ve changed since then (give examples, such as family commitments, volunteering, education and career)

Then bring the conversation back to your skills and how they relate to the position.

If the employer asks for the background check for the first time during the interview, have a response prepared. Go over the same topics (how long ago it was) and how you’ve demonstrated your responsibility since then.

What about the last scenario in which the employer has basically offered you the job and is now bringing up the record check for the first time?

In this case, you may need a minute to clear your head. Ask the employer if you can call him or her back if necessary. However, it’s important to speak up. If the employer conducts the check, he or she may feel you tried to hide it from them.

Address the issue in the same way as you would have in the interview focusing on the incident being in the past and on how much has changed since then.

Seal your record

If enough time has passed since you completed the conditions of your conviction, you should apply for a Record Suspension. This will seal your record so that you can apply for positions confidently. Although having a record does not prevent you from finding a job, it can make it harder.

With a record suspension you’ll have the opportunity to explore any position without fear of the dreaded background check.

If you are thinking of changing positions or want to open up new career opportunities for yourself, contact us today for a free consultation about how a Record Suspension can help you.   

How does the oil sands downturn affect people with criminal records

Many people have found that their criminal record is not a major barrier to finding work in natural resources and the oil sands. There are also a number of related industries in Alberta that have benefited from the high oil prices we used to see.

Construction, driving trucks and providing services to communities in Alberta have created great opportunities for people from across the country.

Many people used the money they made in the oil sands economy to support families in BC, Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes.

Unfortunately, these days it’s harder and harder to find jobs in the oil sands. Companies have scaled back operations and are not investing as much in development.

This leaves people with criminal records wondering if they can still succeed as an Alberta oil sands worker or in the many related industries. What about the major pipeline projects under consideration? Bringing oil to overseas markets may be one way to boost the economy, but the provincial and federal governments are moving cautiously, especially on the Northern Gateway project.

What this means for people with criminal records

Meanwhile, people with criminal records are experiencing a double burden. As the economy drags, there are more candidates for fewer positions. Faced with multiple qualified candidates, employers become more interested in conducting background checks before hiring.

Unable to find work in the resource industry, many qualified workers start investigating retraining options or jobs in the service sector. Things like social work, security, trucking and law enforcement may all require background checks. Providing services to businesses and homeowners such as plumbing, electrical wiring, painting and landscaping may require you to be bondable.

What are the options?

If you are concerned about how the economic downturn might affect your future opportunities, you might want to consider a RecordSuspension. A record suspension will seal your record from employers so that it won’t turn up during background checks. This will allow you to qualify for any type of job or retraining program. You’ll be bondable, which means you can apply for jobs where trust is important, such as when entering people’s homes, driving trucks and company vehicles, or providing security to businesses.

If you think a Record Suspension can help you weather the economic downturn and apply for new opportunities, please contact us today for a free consultation. 

Can you be a truck driver with a criminal record?

If your goal is to become a truck driver, you don’t need to give up just because you have a criminal record in your past.

Truck driving school: Some truck driving schools will conduct a criminal record check before accepting your application, but most won’t. In many cases they will warn you that your possibilities might be limited by your past record.

Record checks: Many truck driving companies will tell you that they are going to do a criminal record check. This is very easy for them to do because there are companies that provide this service, so you should take this seriously. Often it will come up during the initial phone call, but it is more likely that it will be raised during the first interview.

Most companies will not do a background check unless they are seriously considering hiring you. That’s why it’s important to be honest and forthright with the interviewer about your past record. He or she will inform you when they are going to do a background check. This is when you should discuss the issue seriously with them. Tell them what happened and how your life has changed since the event. Avoid appearing angry and defensive about the past. Your job is to convince them that they can trust you and the events are behind you. Highlight other areas in your life where you have demonstrated responsibility, such as work and volunteer experience.

Unfortunately, in some cases a criminal record will appear to be an insurmountable barrier to some employers. While this could be due to stigma, it’s also important to remember that the employer may have financial pressures such as insurance. Truck drivers are responsible for carrying thousands of dollars of merchandise in one load. These could be items such as computers, designer goods and furniture. A truck driver needs to be bondable in order to do the job.

What does bondable mean?

Bondable means, basically, that you are able to be insured. Technically, everyone is bondable, but an insurance company may come back with a quote that’s far above what the employer is willing to spend if they find out you have a criminal record.

Applying for a pardon

If you are worried about criminal background checks and how they could affect your career, you should consider applying for a pardon. A pardon will seal your record and enables you to receive protection against discrimination under human rights legislation in some provinces. Keep in mind that a pardon will not seal your driver’s abstract. If you were convicted of impaired driving or another vehicle-related offense, it could still affect your or your employer’s insurance.  

Crossing the border

The other issue that could stand in your way as a driver is the ability to cross the border. Apply for an entry waiver to ensure that you are able to enter the United States. It is much easier to be approved for a waiver if you do it in advance of travel.

If you are serious about a truck driving career, a criminal record doesn’t have to be an insurmountable obstacle. Contact us for a free consultation.