How should I answer questions about a felony in my past.?

Question

I committed a bank robbery in 1999 and served 31 months. The mgr where I now work, after hiring me with knowledge of my record, harassed me for sex from the first day until he was fired.
( I'm also male ) After 2 yrs, the new mgr knows I would have a hard time finding employment, therefore works the snot out of me and for PEANUTS. I have put in many applications and realize it's hard to answer this question about my record without sweating. I feel compelled to be honest because to lose a job for dishonesty or for any other reason would be a major set back. While in prison, I earned a degree and I'm paying back the money. The amazing thing is, I see people without records doing crazy stuff because they know no one is watching them, not realizing how close they are to ruining their life. So? What could I say to an interviewer inquiring about my background?

.................just to respond further to my question/your answers. I did file a sexual harassement suit, which may be dropped because I represented myself and did a really poor job. Further, I never lived a life of crime, just one moment of really bad judgement. I've worked all my life. And. And. The amount of money in a cash register is not worth going to jail for. I'm not desperate and for what I'm seen on my job, I'm more honest than a lot of my co-workers. So while I'm being watched.........................?
Thanks yahoo people, this is a very serious matter to me and I appreciate all your answers.

Answer 1

That you made a mistake, you've served your sentence and that you are doing everything possible to be a good citizen. If your off paper you have your right to vote restored. Nobody is ever going to understand why or what brought you to that place in 1999 but the matter is behind you, period. It's easy for me to say these words to you, I've lived my life struggling with the same issues. In many ways long after the sentence is complete we are still maintaining lock and key on our lives because of that mistake. Even now, 34 years after my sentence was complete I still run into, "Gees, you are exactly the person were looking for, you'd be great but company policy doesn't allow us to hire convicted felons" I ended in business for myself in order to feed my family, now I'm retired and I still run into it as a volunteer. I was never able to afford to get my record fixed on the Federal level, didn't have the $$$ or connections. So, a 6 year sentence turns into life..

Answer 2

FYI, you could file a sexual harassment claim, which HR departments take very seriously because they can lead to lawsuits and cost them big bucks! And failure to act can really get them into trouble with the EEOC.

Now as for your felony conviction, there's no way to hide it! A simple background check would reveal it. Just be honest about it and focus on how you've changed for the better and learned from your experience.

In other words, you could have gone back to a life of crime, but did you? No! You chose to live on the up and up and try to make a life for yourself. This is something an employer can respect. Now that doesn't mean I'd trust you near my cash register, but honesty is something they don't expect from a felon. Showing honesty is a way to demonstrate that you've put your criminal past behind and have move on.

Answer 3

well first of all you're doing the right thing by being honest. While in an interview just be straight up just like you're doing now. And remember to tell the interviewer how you've changed your life around and explain how you have contributed to the companies success.ie :" I found resolutions to problems, I found ways to save the company money, I trained new employees,etc" Basically don't deny that you have had problems in the past but at the same time turn the negative into positive.During the interview focus more on your acomplishments and always pray . you'll be alright

Answer 4

There's nothing in the world wrong with just what you've said here. You're right, you can't falsify an application. Employers now have ready access to your record, and if you lie you're out before you start. Better to come clean up front, and, if you have the opportunity to hand the application to the boss or human relations guy in person, ask for a minute of his time and briefly explain you situation. I suppose you run the risk of 'em telling you to take you app and shove it, but there will also be those who appreciate your being forthright.

Answer 5

id say be honest. tell whoever you are being interviewed by that you made a mistake. that you did your time, and now you want to go back to being a hard worker and provide for yourself and your family. mistakes are something everyone makes.... and im pretty sure that all 50 states saying that if you are a convicted felon that it cant be held against you in employment... maybe even a federal law..... so just be honest, let the interviewer know that your there to work, and show them your knkowledge learned while in jail... and if they tell you that they cant hire you because you are a convicted felon... sue the crap out of them and get you money that way :D

Answer 6

You have to be honest, but you can ellaborate in your interview. Turn it into a "lessons learned" by mentioning how you had time to reflect on your life and decided to better yourself, how difficult it was to do that under the circumstances, etc.

You'll find that there will be two types of people interviewing you:
1. Those who will hold your past against you and won't hire you even if you wore a shiny halo now
2. Those who are willing to give you a chance and not hold your past against you

You certainly don't want to work for those people under the #1 category anyway!

Answer 7

Don't lie. Tell the truth, and show concrete examples of how you've changed your life for the better. Talk about your new education and qualifications. I suggest doing some volunteer work to fill out your resume and get some references.

Answer 8

If you've earn a degree,why do you need to fill an application for employment when you can just submit your resume.If your employment requires that you answer that question then all you have to do is just tell them the truth.But you do not have to go into details.

Answer 9

Do not lie or you will get in more trouble. It is better to tell the truth. It is harder to find a job in your situation but not impossible. Hopefully you will get a good job. Companies today do more background checks then ever.

Answer 10

You have to tell the truth. Chances are the company will do a background check anyways. So tell the truth in the beginning so they wont have to fire you for lying.

Good Luck, and congrats on getting your degree.