Once you have mastered the art of the resume, and impressed a prospective employer or two, the next step is to go in for the interview. Things do get a little trickier when it comes to a job interview, because you do not have as much power when it comes to glossing over things like what you’ve been doing with your time, but a little bit of guidance can really go a long way.
Short, truthful answers tend to be a good way to go when it comes to addressing the questions asked during an interview. Since this question is part of every job application, it is bound to come up in the interview regardless of whether you bring it up or not. The details you are asked to provide when applying for the job usually only involve:
- * Whether or not you have had a felony conviction in the past 7 years,
- * When you were convicted of the felony,
- * The felony that you were convicted of,
During the interview, the prospective employer will more than likely want to ask you more questions about the conviction if it is legal in your state for them to do so. While it is absolutely vital that you be up front and honest with them during this interview when it comes to all aspects of your life, including your felony conviction, there is a great difference between answering the questions that are posed to you to the satisfaction of the interviewer, and giving information beyond what is necessary.
While a question about your conviction may be part of every application, it may not be a part of every interview because it is not always legally possible for prospective employers to ask you about your jail time or conviction. The first step in dealing with this issue is to know what prospective employers are and are not legally allowed to ask. You can find out what the laws are in your state by checking out the resources at the end of this eBook.
If there was jail time involved in the past seven years, and if it was for an extended period of time such as three months or more, then career counselors and social workers may be able to help you find terminology that will better explain your absence from society in an honest but still more socially acceptable way. You should never lie during your interview, even if you are asked directly about your conviction.
If you were asked “Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If the answer is yes, please provide the details in the space provided”, then prospective employers who call you in for an interview are definitely going to bring the subject up when you sit down with them. You should be open and honest with them in response, but you should not strive to offer more information than what is specifically asked for.
“Were you convicted of a felony within the last seven years?”
Simply answer yes.
“How long ago were you convicted?”
Simply tell them how long ago the conviction occurred.
You do not need to give any more information than what is specifically asked for.
If they ask you what you were convicted of, you can answer with the official charge, but should not feel obligated to go any further. And know that you cannot be asked about arrests, only actual convictions. This is information that can be determined through a typical background check.
In accordance with EEOC or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in the United States, there are a variety of different elements which must be weighed when factoring a conviction into the hiring process. These will include the nature of the offense, the severity of the offense, the time that has elapsed since the offense and whether or not there is any relation between the position being applied for and the offense. While employers can legally ask about convictions in most states, they cannot allow convictions to remove you from consideration for a job unless there is a logical and legitimate reason.
If you are worried about your conviction being brought up in the interview in an unfair way, it would be wise to speak with an employment attorney in your area. Most employment attorneys will be able to tell you what questions are legal and illegal to ask. Remember that while it may be legal to ask about convictions, it is not legal to ask about arrests because you are innocent until you have been proven guilty and convicted accordingly.
Here are some other tips for acing a job interview that will benefit you regardless of whether you have a felony conviction under your belt or are simply looking to become better at job interviews.
- * Practice for your interview by answering sample interview questions that most employers will ask you. Think of the actual answers that you would use to describe your individual skills and qualifications. Being able to provide evidence of your success is an excellent way to promote yourself as the right candidate for the job.
- * Prepare for your interview by repairing responses for common questions. Make sure that you know about the company you are applying to. Make sure you know the name of the interviewer so that you can make the interview more personal by using it during the conversation. Try to relate what you have learned above the company when you are answering the interviewer’s questions.
- * Be on time for your interview if you want to make a good impression. On time does not mean showing up at 10:00am for a 10:00am interview. You should be showing up between 5 and 10 minutes early. Get there ahead of time so that you know where you are going, because getting lost is no excuse to be late for an important interview.
- * Get ready for your interview by planning ahead and getting your interview attire prepared. Make sure that what you are wearing is appropriate for the company you are applying for and interviewing with. Bring a nice copy of your resume and a portfolio if necessary. You should also bring a pen and paper, and you should be prepared to take notes.
- * This one is something that many people miss: Be prepared to ask questions. When an interviewer says “Do you have any questions for me,” saying no, or sitting there mulling it over will score you no points with the interviewer. You can plan ahead for the interview by preparing a list of questions to ask once the interviewer is done questioning you. Ask appropriate questions that will allow you to better get to know the company, the position in question, and so on.
- * Always follow up with your interviewer. As we touch on in the next chapter, you should absolutely always follow up with your interviewer by sending a thank you letter that reiterates your interest in the position in question. If multiple people are involved in the interview, then plan on sending them each an individual thank you note.
