Forum: workplace.stackexchange.com
Tags: <interviewing><job-search><background-check>
Title: Multiple DUI convictions 12 years ago. Do I disclose if I know they will do a background check?
Question: I had multiple DUIs (Driving Under the Influence convictions) that happened 12 years ago all within the same time period. I am going to an interview where the job requires a background check. It is for an estate attorney's office.   Even if I'm not asked, do I disclose this information during the interview, being that it will probably be the only chance I have to defend my past? Please help. I'm a nervous wreck.

Answers:
sents: text: I had multiple DUIs that happened 12 years ago all within the same time period.
text: I am going to an interview where the job requires a background check.
text: It is for an estate attorney's office.
text: Even if I'm not asked, do I disclose this information during the interview, being that it will probably be the only chance I have to defend my past?
text: Since you already know there will be a background check, and since many background checks would discover multiple DUIs, I think it makes more sense to be up front about it than to let the hiring company be surprised.
text: This would be particularly so for a law office.
text: If you get to the offer stage and are ready to sign consent for the background check, just start with "I want to mention something that might show up on the background check...".
text: Talk about what happened.
text: Explain why it won't happen again.
text: Finish with "I always believe it's best to be very honest."
text: When I'm hiring, I'd much rather the candidate be honest in the beginning than to try and "sneak one by me".
text: I'm sure we can all remember how we felt when someone grudgingly admitted an issue only after being confronted with the evidence.
text: This won't guarantee that you'll get the job, but in my experience you'll have a better chance (particularly in a law office) by being completely open and honest.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/7777/Joe Strazzere
score: 52
sents: text: Even if I'm not asked, do I disclose this information during the interview, being that it will probably be the only chance I have to defend my past?
text: If you are not asked I don't see why you have to bring it up.
text: If they bring it up, answer honestly and defend it as you have planned by now.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/73791/DarkCygnus
score: 28
sents: text: If an employer cares about your criminal history, they will ask - formally, in writing usually, as part of an official, signed application.
text: In other cases, the background check authorization form you're presented with will include basic questions such as "have you ever been convicted of an X crime" and will typically allow you to write a description of what happened (which is your chance to defend yourself).
text: Often these official requests for information will be timeboxed (i.e. "in the last 10 years").
text: Generally, when considering if you should mention something in an interview, a good approach is to focus on the best but prepare for the worst.
text: In other words, when you have opportunities, bring up good things - be able to tie your skills and experience to the position they're trying to fill.
text: But, have a rehearsed answer ready if they ask about bad things such that you're not caught off guard if they do ask about them.
text: There's no reason to implicate yourself by bringing up parts of your past that don't paint you in a positive light.
text: Also, it's worth doing some research on laws in your jurisdiction.
text: For instance, in the United States, in some states at least, it's illegal to have a policy of rejecting candidates based on criminal history.
text: Other states provide explicit boundaries (i.e. you can reject a candidate if the criminal history is directly related to the job).
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/83999/dwizum
score: 9
sents: text: IMHO,Biggest question here, do you have a better explanation / defense for these convictions than will be gleaned from dry official paper?
text: If you want to defend it upfront and explain so it will not be an issue when received from background check, you can definitely do so.
text: But, if there is nothing more than - "it was 12 years ago
text: and i am different person
text: now" i would not volunteer this information unless asked specifically Good luck, would be nice to hear the result, please share when applicable
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/78760/Strader
score: 4
sents: text: Even if I'm not asked, do I disclose this information during the interview, being that it will probably be the only chance I have to defend my past?
text: Please help.
text: I'm a nervous wreck.
text: It is not necessary to volunteer this information if they do not ask about it.
text: If they conduct a proper background check it will come to light regardless.
text: Obviously if they ask during the interview or any stage you should let them know
text: but there is nothing to defend.
text: You were convicted, it was 12 years ago, and you have presumably served your sentence.
text: If they are biased towards your conviction, there is no possible defense you can come up with you convince them otherwise.
text: But don't worry as most reasonable employers will understand and not be influenced by your conviction.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/93810/sf02
score: 1
sents: text: Answer every question put to you honestly.
text: "Have you ever committed a felony" is different from "
text: have you committed a felony in the last 10 years?"
text: There may be laws in your relevant jurisdictions about what you are required to disclose or legally protected from having to disclose.
text: Research them.
text: Regarding volunteering information, first find out if the background check has a time limitation on it.
text: Most background checks are limited to 10 years.
text: If it's not stated directly in the documents, then ask.
text: Once you know the background check's time parameters, volunteer whatever they are likely to find.
text: Overall, do what is honest and straightforward, without offering information needlessly.
text: Last
text: : look into getting convictions struck from your record.
text: It is possible this can be done.
text: It may only apply to misdemeanors, and not felonies, but it's still worth looking into it.
answer_details: author: workplace.stackexchange.com/users/5483/CodeSeeker
score: 1

Summary of the answers:
It is not necessary to bring up this information if you are not asked about it but if they ask you about it then you should definitely answer honestly. You could bring it up in the interview to save the company being surprised by it.
When approaching an interview, it's generally a good idea to have answers prepared for any worst-case scenarios. You're not obliged to answer anything that you're not directly asked, but if you are directly asked about something, it would be best to answer it honestly. However, some people would feel that it is best to mention this particular detail up-front so as to avoid giving the employer any surprises when they run a background check.