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.

What to expect from a background check

More and more companies are screening job applicants through the use of background checks. Employers use these investigations to verify identity and formulate predictions about performance, integrity, and ability to “fit” into an organization. In short, the background check is an effort to minimize a company's risk by ensuring productivity, security and safety.

So, just what does a background check involve? The employer usually hires an independent agent to collect an array of personal information, from employment history and places of residence to credit reports, court records, and insights from family, friends and coworkers. The process can take anywhere from a couple of hours to several months to complete (depending on the nature of the position and/or organization).

For more information about background checks, view the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, Fact Sheet 16.

Employer Profile: Califorensics (Computer Forensics)

Califorensics is an up-and-coming consulting company that provides litigation support and investigative services to a list of clients that spans the spectrum of government and industry. Located in Roseville, CA, the firm was started by Don Vilfer, a lawyer and former FBI agent. Don is constantly on the look-out for new talent to serve as Investigative Assistants and Forensic Examiners; he also hosts internships for students pursuing careers forensic technology and information security.

According to Don, people seeking employment in the field will do well to supplement their technical knowledge with robust communication skills. He encourages students to take electives in professional writing, public speaking, debate, and logic. He’s adamant that students hone their writing skills while in college. “[They] need to be able to express their technical knowledge in a report that is understandable and professional,” he said. Writing skills are even more important than having extreme technical skills in his opinion. “We can take a person who has basic computer and forensic training and bring them up to the level of expertise we require, but teaching writing skills is not so easy and not something we want to do,” he said.

The ability to speak confidently is also key. Don said that he and his partners generally provide the testimony on behalf of the firm during litigation; however, associates occasionally are called to testify to aspects of the cases they may have worked on. “They should feel comfortable speaking in front of people, whether in court or at a client meeting.”

For additional information about Califorensics, visit www.califorensics.com.

Don’s Preferred Resources

Professional Memberships: Licensed Investigator associations, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners

Web sites: Guidance Software’s bulletin board.

Other: Plenty of good technical resources in print. Our library seems to grow monthly.

Avoid vexing voicemail

The start of the new academic year is a great time to conduct a "First Impression Inventory." Often, initial contact with future employers occurs when you're not even around! Just what does the outgoing message on your voicemail say about you? Project a positive image by following these tips:

Hello! After a brief greeting, clearly state your name so callers know that they've reached the right person.

Short and sweet. Don't provide a lengthy explanation about where you are and why you're not available. Instead, tell callers when they can expect a response, e.g. “I will return your call within 24 hours.” After all, that's what they really want to know!

Offer options. Consider providing an alternative form of contact (such as your email address) so callers can connect with you online if they'd like.

Beyond words. Before recording your message, practice what you're going to say. Then sit up straight, smile, and speak slowly. This little trick helps ensure a friendly and professional delivery!

Keep it current. If your outgoing message is still wishing people a Happy 4th of July, go change it right now! This small oversight can say volumes about your timeliness and attention to detail.

No joke. Avoid using jingles or humor in your message; although some may find them amusing, others may be offended. It's just not worth the risk. Instead, let people get to know your “lighter side” in person.

Listen! Don't forget to review your message after you record it. Check for accuracy, clarity and personality.

The job offer: What you should know before you say no

The job search can be daunting: Research, resumes, interviews, and thank-you notes. Finally, you get the offer! And the doubts begin. How do you know if the package they're offering is really worth accepting? Here are a few things you should know before you make your final decision:

Know your intentions. Are you looking for your first big break into the industry? Or are you in it for the money? Often the opportunity to work for a particular company or with a specific technology is far more important than having a big paycheck. Be sure to consider the implications this job may have on your career path and professional network.

Know your geography. What's the cost of living for the area you're considering? Look at economic indicators and salary calculators to determine if that salary is really as big as it appears. Sure it looks good to be offered $60,000 for an entry-level job in DC, but not when you consider that $40,000 will afford you the same standard of living in Dallas.

Know your industry. Company size and classification can also impact earning potential. For example, finance and health care typically pay better than government and education. In addition, larger companies usually offer more comprehensive benefit packages than their smaller counterparts. On-the-other-hand, where will you find stability and job security? Where's the best opportunity for professional development and/or advancement? Who offers the least bureaucracy and greatest flexibility? Know what's important to you – and where to look for it!

Know your needs. Perform an inventory of your finances: Expenses, investments, goals, etc. Be sure to distinguish between how much you have to earn versus how much you'd like to earn.


Know your value. If you're a recent college graduate with limited experience, an employer is going to have to invest a significant amount of time (and money) in your orientation to the company and the position. This is especially true in fields that require certifications, such as computer networking, radiography, and digital forensics. If, however, you bring credentials with you, you're in a much better bargaining position.

Know how to evaluate your compensation package. When you first get the job offer, it's easy to focus on salary alone; however, compensation covers so much more. Consider the value of having a flexible workweek, tuition reimbursement, matching contributions to your retirement plan, and on-site childcare before you slough off that mediocre paycheck. Some benefits are worth more than money!

Know your limits. Are creditors beating down your door? Then you may not want to hold out for more money. Does the job promise a high salary but compromise your values? If you're committed to spending time with your family and the company expects you to travel 80% of the time, you may need to re-examine the offer – and count the costs!

Get the low down on top jobs

Most job seekers are pretty savvy about how to research careers on-line. Two of the more popular sites for generic employment information are the O*Net and the Occupational Outlook Handbook. Here, you can evaluate jobs according to industry, function, education, working conditions, compensation, trends, and projections.

However, sometimes it's helpful to hear from someone who actually works in the field -- a first-hand account, so to speak. That's the beauty of The Career Project. This site features profiles of professionals who are working in the very positions you're interested in. Want to know what a Chief Technology Officer does every day? Curious how she got the job? How much money she makes? What kind of training she had? Enter the job title you're researching (or click on the industry you'd like to learn about) and, voila! Complete profiles -- including work histories and words of advice -- appear!

Granted, the site is new, so the database is not complete by any means. But it's growing. And, true, The Career Project protects each professional's identity, so you can't use the site for networking. But it does tell you the person's age and gender, so you you can speculate and make comparisons. Of course, nothing beats the real thing -- talking with someone face-to-face. However, when the informational interview is not an option, The Career Project is a nice alternative.

Nice niche job boards for IT pros

With names like "Monster," generic job boards can be scary to navigate. So why not target sites that are geared toward your experience and expertise? With fewer, more relevant positions, these job boards won't be quite so daunting to search. Start with the more popular boards, like Dice and Just Tech Jobs, but don't neglect some of the lesser known sites listed by Champlain College. Of course, you'll want to check with your professional and trade organizations, too. Just keep in mind that some job boards will require membership or charge a fee to view positions, so job seekers beware!