Monday, November 24, 2008

Have you ever been arrested?

If you've ever had a run-in with the law, chances are this is the most unsettling question you'll ever come across on a job application. Fortunately for you, it's illegal. Employers should not ask candidates about their arrest records; however, it is legal for companies to ask about convictions, especially if the offense is relevant to the job in question. For example, it makes perfect sense for a bank to ask potential tellers if they've ever been convicted of theft or fraud.


So, what should you do if you're asked about arrests during your job search? Here are several options to consider:

  • Fill in the blank with "N/A" (“not applicable” or, in this case, “not appropriate”) and hope that answer suffices.
  • Answer “yes” and jot a brief explanation on the accompanying line (e.g. “I was detained during a peace rally and the charges were later dropped”).

  • Ignore the original question and write in: "I have never been convicted of a felony (or misdemeanor)."

Some applicants choose to skip the question altogether -- an option that could raise a red flag for the employer. Regardless, your answer should be honest and one that you're comfortable sharing. USA Today covers this and other illegal interview questions online.

1 comment:

Jana Nixon said...

Feel free to let me know about other topics that may be of interest to you!