Good Afternoon networking-forum.com,

I just had an interview for a small IT company in Pennsylvania. This was my second interview, my first was this past Friday. Today they mentioned the background check and asked how I would do. I didn't do great with my response, I'd say I did alright. Anyway, I do have a criminal history in Texas. I have 7 misdemeanor convictions (2x assault, 2x theft, 2x criminal mischief, and a terroristic threat), and one minor felony conviction for Credit Card Abuse. By minor, I mean that it isn't even a third degree felony and that I didn't even use the credit card, just possessed it, which is the technicality in the law that got me. Texas has 1st, 2nd, and 3rd degree felonies, then something they call a state jail felony. I didnt even go to prison for my felony. I sat out the charge in the county jail. Out of all these convictions, I've never done more than 3 months at one given time, and no more than 7 months for all of them put together.

Back to today's interview. The main reason they were concerned in my opinion and they even told me this, is that they do work at the Philadelphia international airport. I can definitely see how this can be a problem. I feel that I won't be getting this job and I really want it. I have not been to jail in over a year now, my last conviction was 03/06/2011. I have a feeling I'm going to have a hard time getting a job in IT. I love computers and don't want to do anything else as a work solution.

I wanted to see if I could get some input on what I should do next time I interview. I really did good in both interviews, until the end when they mentioned background check. The interview is not a problem for me until background checks are brought up. I wanna get input from y'all about how hard its gonna be to land a job with this minor, extensive record. I understand networks need to be secure and my criminal background doesn't help. I have been and am going to be dedicated to computers, and I'm staying away from trouble. Since moving to Pennsylvania by the way, I haven't had any problems and am on a bright road. Any help/advice you'll could give me is would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Eric

what kind of back ground check? there are many different types.
have you gone through one? you should have a right to see the background check reports
how old are you?

_________________
"If you're good at anticipating the human mind. It leaves nothing to chance."
-Jigsaw

I am gonna be 25 in beginning of August. I'm pretty sure it would be a criminal background check. This job vacancy was a Entry Level Network Tech position.

I can't comment on the ins and outs of background checks because I know things are done differently here in the UK. What I would say is that from an employers perspective I would be pretty annoyed if I had done two or three interviews with someone and then the criminal record check came back with a load of stuff. It must be a difficult situation for you as you want to prove you can do the job and not have the employers prejudices prevent you from getting it despite you being capable. At the same time, If i was the employer I would appreciate the up front honesty maybe at the end of the first interview to hint at your past (not in detail) and emphasize the studying you have been doing and what you could bring to the job.

Again, I'm not sure how common criminal record checks are for the jobs you are applying for, but any job I've gone for in the UK in the last 5 years has included a check whether it be before the job offer or in the probationary period.

_________________
http://g711.info

you've probably heard this a thousand times

<steps on soapbox>

well than, i guess you need to clean up your act. take the path of the straight and narrow, it will take some time but it can be done.
grow up, own up to your deeds, turn your life around, then you can sell yourself to the job market that way. once you've kept out of trouble
for 5-7 years, it should be easier.

<steps down off soapbox>

_________________
"If you're good at anticipating the human mind. It leaves nothing to chance."
-Jigsaw

Outside of getting your record expunged, what Ristau said from his soapbox.

_________________
"See packet, be packet, you are packet. Ignore all else!" -The Networker
packetsdropped.wordpress.com

All you can do is keep trying. Hope they don't check that part of your background or hope they're willing to look past it.

I agree with MrGrim and feel if you bring it up and lay it out on the table up front you will get a better response than if you didnt. Yes there will be those that this will kill your chances but that is how its going to go. You might also figure out creative ways to show your past does not dictate who you are now. Explain your dedication to proving what your capable of doing. Get recommendations from people who will back you and present them at your first interview. One idea might be to start getting involved in the community and organizations around your area.

Unfortunately I dont think you will be able to go after security but networking and sys admin should be fine.

Most of all keep plugging away and dont give up! You will find something, it just might take some time.

_________________
http://blog.movingonesandzeros.net/

Thanks for all the input. I needed that support lol. Anyway I feel what ristau5741 said about after 5-7 years it should be less of a problem more and more. I already have a year, and am planning on adding more. The longest I went without a 'criminal case' was from February of '07 to June 28th of 2009 (2 years). I have been for various class c misdemeanors a handful of times. I know class c misdemeanors aren't looked at as hard or at all, one or both. So I'm hoping I can keep on and get that 5-7 year token .

I also like what that1guy15 said about go in and hint on it up front or go all out. I was thinking... maybe I should get Harris County, Texas to send me documentation on all of it so I could have it on deck in the interviews. Nevertheless though, this interview failure definitely opened my eyes. Y'all don't know how bad I wanna start getting job experience, cause I have none when it comes to IT.

I will suggest a different approach. Join the military. Talk to a recruiter, and find a technical skill to go in as. They will train you, and possibly give you a security clearance. From what I understand as long as none of your convictions involve a firearm you shouldn't have a problem(the terroristic threat may be an issue). Just don't lie about anything. They will find out. Do your four or six years or whatever. If you got a clearance while in you are set. If not having the training, and the military time on your resume should help mitigate the negatives.

-Otanx

The military is a great idea. I have had this talk plenty of times on the cell block and off the cell block with people who have experience in this. From what I've heard it is possible and its not possible. Talking possible, from what I heard and though sounded legit was you have to find the right recruiter willing to push the right kinda paperwork and stand up for you. Talking not possible, I've heard felons arent excepted but in one or two branches, I've heard if you have certain types of felonies, violent ect., they wont accept but others they do. Its real hit or miss it seems like. Ya, I would like to of done it a few years ago, but now, seeing im almost twenty five and have wasted a lot of time I just want to work. I got my A+ cert this year, and hopefully I'll have my cisco CCNA on the 19th of this month.

I know this is the USA military you guys are talking about, but from my experience in Australia (12 years, ex army) there is no chance, especially in a technical position.....but from some of the stories from US folk I met in various parts of the middle east....it could definitely be possible, by the way, this is not a sledge against those folk....they are the reason I'm able to type this message, they saved my life and I'm forever in debt to them....my 2 cents

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I know this is the USA military you guys are talking about, but from my experience in Australia (12 years, ex army) there is no chance, especially in a technical position.....but from some of the stories from US folk I met in various parts of the middle east....it could definitely be possible, by the way, this is not a sledge against those folk....they are the reason I'm able to type this message, they saved my life and I'm forever in debt to them....my 2 cents

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

I can definitely see why a country wouldn't allow felons to have military technical positions. I was really feeling down yesterday but today's going better. Not sure what I'm gonna do, I might finish my degree which could add to the time since i was last released. Sitting on a year and a month right now.

Excuse the double post. I thought I would do this instead of double threading . Anyway I got another job interview tomorrow for an entry level help desk position. It is a 'night shift' job, according to the job description. Also, I was referred to the job by my schools CIS department. I'm hoping these conditions will help me in some kind of way, any suggestions though?

I'm sorry to tell you, but I think the minimum period is 7 years. Even then, some employees won't even look at you. You can use this to see exactly what will they see when they run your background check.

How did it go?