The answer is no. You should have had to address that question in writing at some point prior to your interview and you should have answered it honestly at that point. That is to say, you should say yes, but you should certainly save your explanation (and it better be a good one) for the interview process. Simply check the “yes” box and say that you will provide a full explanation during a subsequent interview. Don’t wait until the interview to “come clean.” And definitely don’t try to hide it altogether.

Obviously, you’re taking the chance that the mere answer of “yes” will eliminate you from consideration. And there is always the chance that you’re conviction would elude any background checks. Here’s a good story I found on criminal convictions slipping through the cracks of the employment screening process. I think the lesson is that your past is probably going to catch up with you eventually, so it’s better that you lay it out upfront and avoid any future nightmares.

Nobody likes to admit that they’ve screwed up in such a major way, especially when there are extenuating circumstances or a legitimate “another side to the story.” But it’s really not worth the risk of hiding it, even if you end up getting away with it. You’ll always have it in the back of your mind and lying about it will only leave you exposed to further humiliation and potential career damage.

Tags: criminal convictions in job interviews, jobs for convicts, overcoming prior convictions, parole jobs, work release programs

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