After you’ve faced the stress of an arrest or a conviction, it might feel like the odds are stacked against you—including your chances of re-entering the workforce. If you’re worried about letting your prospective employer know about your criminal record, there are several steps you can take to ensure your success. From honesty to expungement, use these tips to get off on the right foot.

3 Tips for Filling Out Job Applications With a Criminal Record

1. Know Your Rights

Before you fill out a job application, you can always run your own background check to find out what’s on your criminal record. In fact, if you find an arrest charge or traffic violation that you believe to be false, you can dispute it with the background check company, or file a complaint at FTC.gov.

It’s also important to look up your state’s regulations on criminal convictions and employers. For example, in some states, employers aren’t allowed to look back more than a certain number of years. In Ohio, employers aren’t allowed to ask about convictions that have been sealed or expunged. Also, if your case was sealed after you were found “not guilty,” you don’t have to acknowledge the charge at all.

2. Be Honest

If your application asks about a prior felony, and the charge is still on your criminal record, be honest. Even if your employer initially takes your word for it, they will likely end up running a background check before officially offering you the job, which would reveal your falsehood. If the employer speaks out about the incident, you might have a hard time getting a job anywhere in the industry. Therefore, it’s better to be truthful and get denied from a single position.

To increase your chances of getting hired, make sure that the positions you apply for are far removed from the nature of your charge—for example, those with auto theft convictions should avoid car dealership positions. Also, let your prospective employer know that you intend to make a fresh start and have a positive effect on your community.

3. Apply for Expungement

If you’re worried about potential employers seeing a criminal charge or conviction, you can always work with a lawyer to have your record expunged. While this isn’t possible for every crime (such as first and second-degree felonies), it can erase the record of many charges from your public record. This means, if your record is expunged, you can check the “no” box when asked about a prior felony on your job application.

To start moving forward with your expungement, reach out to Michael A. Newland Esquire today. This Hamilton, OH, lawyer has over two decades of experience helping clients obtain a brighter future. Whether you need to expunge  a misdemeanor or felony conviction or have your juvenile record sealed, you can turn to this trusted attorney for attentive and passionate service. Learn more about his practice areas by visiting the website, or call (513) 887-9595 to schedule a free consultation.