Job Search with a Criminal Record
This is a brief, 30-second speech used to explain your record and highlight your positive changes.
What is an elevator speech?
This common physical greeting should be firm and you should try to match the other person's grip level.
What is a handshake?
This legal procedure permanently removes charges from your record so they don't appear on background checks.
What is expungement?
What does ATS stand for?
Applicant Tracking System
Instead of making excuses for past actions, you should do this to show maturity to an employer.
What is taking responsibility?
What is the number #1 most positive body language gesture to use before, during, and after an interview?
Smiling :-)
Even if you were never found guilty of a crime, this may still appear on your criminal record.
What is a charge?
Name one thing to include to ensure your resume passes ATS
Keywords from the job description
If an interviewer doesn't ask about your record, you should do this to ensure honesty.
What is bring it up on your own?
What does maintaining eye contact show during an interview?
Engagement and confidence
While most states show all convictions, some states limit background check results to this many years.
What is seven years?
What is a keyword in the context of ATS?
A specific skill or requirement mentioned in the job ad
This should be the main focus (the "bulk") of your elevator speech.
What are positive changes/accomplishments you've made?
According to experts, the interview isn't truly over until this happens.
What is being completely out of sight (or back in your car)?
In addition to criminal history, background checks often include these two other types of history.
What are employment and education history?
Why is formatting important for ATS?
Because ATS may not read complex formats (resumes with pictures, graphs, or bars) properly