While you might do your best to move forward after a criminal conviction, sometimes society is hesitant to do the same.

It may not seem fair that a criminal record can have subtle consequences beyond the time served and fines paid, but it is an unfortunate fact that in our society employers can carry a bias towards job candidates with a certain type of history.

Fortunately, however, with the right approach you can minimize the aftereffects and make the most out of your situation. You already have the initiative to change your life; changing your strategy can help you get there!

Let’s look over some simple suggestions to free you from arrested development.

Honesty Is The Best Policy

As with any features of your resumes and applications, misinforming your employer will have terrible repercussions.

Remember that your integrity is being called into question, so any further indication that you could make an unreliable employee is cause for concern. Would an employer trust someone who lied about having a certain license or degree? Of course not. The same goes with trying to sweep your experiences with the law under the rug.

This doesn’t mean you need to highlight your criminal record more explicitly than you are asked to, though. Read and understand what you are being asked to disclose thoroughly, as your potential employer may only be looking for information from a certain time period, or about convictions as opposed to all arrests.

Answer as thoroughly as you can, but only about as much as you need to.

Do you know all the necessary details about your record, so you can disclose them accurately?

You Still Have Rights

Having a criminal record does not disqualify you from the same protections as everyone else when it comes to fair hiring practices. No employer can go outside the law to ask about your run-ins with it.

For instance, in Ontario, an employer is legally allowed to ask about convictions that you have not been given a “record suspension” for (previously called a “pardon”).

They cannot, however, in most cases, ask about crimes which have been suspended from your record or which entail an “offense” under provincial law. Offenses consist of actions that go against the law of Ontario specifically, and are technically not “crimes”. An example would be driving infractions. It is important to note, though, that an employer can refuse to hire you based on an offense or suspended record if they feel it is:

• reasonable
• necessary
• makes sense because of what the key duties of the job are

To follow up our example above, if your employer would require you to drive for work, and your infractions indicate you could be a danger to others, your employer can refuse to hire you to prevent what would necessarily be a liability.

You are also protected from having to disclose your Youth Record. Only specific government agencies are allowed to do so. This prevents you from being held accountable for crimes you committed before reaching the age of majority.

Some other examples of situations that cannot be held against you are:

• being stopped and questioned by police
• being arrested but not charged with a crime
• having contact with the police because of a mental health crisis
• contacting the police to report a crime

Have you looked into getting your record suspended, if that’s an option?

Take Ownership

Assuming it was part of your application process, it’s more than likely that your employer is already aware of your record by the time you meet for an interview.

Take the lead on the discussion, and do your best to assuage them of their concerns. Let them know your perspective, and how you’ve made headway, and plan to keep making progress, since that time in your life.

Practice your approach. Chances are you have had to explain the situation before, to friends, family, or the court. Hone your method for disclosing your record to be both honest about what happened and positive about your ability to surpass your past. If you can get through the awkwardness of talking about it with the people close to you, then you’ll have no problem talking about it with a relative stranger.

Do you know how you would explain your record?

Be Selective About Job Opportunities

At the end of the day, despite your best efforts, self-improvements, and talents, some employers are simply going to say no because of a criminal record.

This shouldn’t be seen as an obstacle. Once you are being more realistic about your options, you will save yourself time and energy by narrowing your focus on the open doors, instead of the closed ones.

Particularly if you served enough time to have a noticeable gap in employment, entry-level positions can be both a nice way to ease back into full-time work, as well as being generally less prohibitive in terms of your history.

Another option could be to find some type of self-employment. Consider picking up a trade, or brushing up on your business skills. While some of your clients may be discerning of your record as much as an employer, you will find a lot of business through presenting yourself as you are currently, instead of as a resume about your history.

Network with other people you may know who have been through a similar situation. They can be more reasonable about recommending or hiring you, as they have been in your shoes. Some employers even pride themselves on helping people get back on track after difficulties such as yours.

And, of course, just like any job hunt, touch up your resume, hone your interview skills, and try to keep yourself motivated! It’s not always easy, and having a record can make it more difficult to find work. But the best way to any profession is to be professional, so if you can present that version of you first and foremost, instead of letting the past outshine you, then you’re well on your way to moving onwards and upwards. Good luck!