Your Resume vs. the Job Application Form

When you prepare your resume, you try to design it to represent yourself in a way that will entice an employer to want to meet you. And some items might cause you to worry about how they will portray your work and education history. For example, should you say that you graduated from university, when in fact you are short two or three courses? Or, should you say that you resigned from a job last year, when you were actually laid off? And, should you fudge the dates of entries to obscure a period of time when you were not in school and not employed?


Such temptations are understandable, but are they worth using? The information that you provide on your resume, and how you express it, is entirely up to you. After all, the resume’s sole purpose is to get you the interview, during which you can elaborate on your skills and abilities.

If you are fortunate enough to get your foot in the door, the interview will undoubtedly expect you to expand on the details you’ve given in your resume as well as discuss many other related and unrelated aspects of your life history. Inevitably, any shortcomings that your resume has could easily be revealed. As well, you will quite likely be asked to complete a job application form.

Three major aspects of the application form are worth noting: Your resume is not a legal document, but the application form is; its design requires that you provide particular information, completing sections appropriately; and you are required to sign and date it to attest to the fact that everything you’ve supplied is the truth.

What you state on your application form must complement your resume; otherwise, your integrity will come into question. And the now-commonplace background check that employers undertake will verify your education, your work history, and your criminal background, should you have one. Recruiters might also run a credit check if you are applying for work in the financial field or a motor vehicle record check if you are required to drive for your job. In fact, many companies will run these checks regardless of the position for which you have applied.

Therefore, you need to be completely honest and truthful when completing the application form, being as specific as possible, because the details will be verified. And should anything that misrepresents you be discovered after you’ve being hired, the consequences could be dire.

If you want to leave a job off either your resume or the application form, do so; but do not adjust the dates of other entries to cover the time period. If the dates are not consistent with the resume’s data, both documents will come into question and cause the recruiter to question your sincerity and honesty.

The application form will likely ask if you have ever been convicted of a crime. This includes DUIs, which is the most common charge that will show up on background checks. If you have a criminal record, you could still quite possibly get hired; but if you do not disclose it, you will not likely get hired if this omission is revealed, simply because you lied. Your criminal record could be overlooked, depending upon what you did, how long ago it happened, and your explanation of the incident.

So be honest and forthright with all your details. Better still, if you have a charge that can be expunged, you should apply for a Pardon. This process will seal your record, removing it from federal databases so that it is no longer visible and cannot be accessed. Pardon Services Canada can assist you. A Client Specialist will ensure that all the required forms are created and compiled to support your application. Pardon Services Canada’s pro-active approach ensures that your case is processed expeditiously and you will be kept informed at each stage of the process. Your pardon is guaranteed.

Looking For a Job In Canada with a Canadian Criminal Record? What to Know, and How to Get That Dream Job!

Everyone knows, interviewing for a job is stressful. What can be even more stressful is going into an interview with a Canadian Criminal Record. This article addresses what your potential employer can legally ask about your criminal record, what you need to say and ultimately, how to get the job!

            The most important thing is location; different provinces have different restrictions and limitations on employers for what they can ask of prospective clients.

·         Employers in Ontario, British Columbia, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories cannot ask about conviction records nor can employers falling under federal jurisdiction. However, if information about a criminal record is legitimately needed for employment purposes the question can be phrased “Have you ever been convicted of a criminal offence for which a Pardon has not been granted?”

·         In Quebec, PEI and the Yukon, a criminal record is considered grounds for discrimination, making this question illegal. Again, unless the knowledge of the criminal conviction is relevant to the position (see below).

·         Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia do not offer protection against discrimination based on criminal records, pardoned or otherwise. Once a Pardon is granted any previous criminal record WILL NOT be accessible to any employer.

It is illegal in all jurisdictions nationwide to ask applicants if they have ever been arrested.

Which employers can request a criminal record check?

Canadian Hiring Practices: all employers may ask for a criminal record check if they have established that it is a Bona Fide Occupational Requirement (BFOR). This is defined as a justifiable reason for discrimination based on a business necessity (being required for the safe and efficient operation of the organization) alternatively, as intrinsically required by the tasks an employee is expected to perform.

What Situations Would Lead to a BFOR

·         Requirement to be bonded

·         Required to work on a secured job-site

·         Employee theft prevention

·         Required to work with/for vulnerable persons

·         Required to travel internationally/cross borders.

What Options Are Available

If you are in the job market or looking for career opportunities and have a criminal record then a Canadian Pardon is the best option available. The Pardon can be attained quickly, confidentially and with financing available. A criminal background check can be done extremely fast and will show you what your potential will see. Then, apply for a Canadian Pardon with an accredited, reputable Pardon Service Company, and get that dream job.