Advice Needed for a Newbie with a criminal conviction

[SueEllen]

That's me screwed ...

If you don't use this board to make decisions you are fine.

[heyya99]

Different country I know but I know a contractor in Ireland who has a conviction for personal-use cannabis and he's since become a contractor, 2 of the roles being in finance, one role being in a semi-state insurance company.

My advice is to keep your mouth shut, and try to get a gig as if you would without a conviction (obviously a school is not wise). If they check and you fail, the worst that will happen is the gig is terminated (or you don't start). The chance of gig termination from getting found out won't be any higher than the threat of gig termination we as contractors all face.

[SueEllen]

But the undertone to both you and Radish's post indicated that a conviction is definitely a problem.

It is a problem as the OP conviction is not spent.

It's just a matter of risk. What's missing here is the details but many types of convictions will get checked and be passed as they do not meet the criteria to flag a risk associated to that role.

This is what I put in my first post -

Those in finance, health and education are stricter over convictions then the rest and will likely not touch you.

I know from working in two of the sectors and being related to people high up in the 3rd this is a big part of the problem.

Education and health even though you are extremely unlikely to work directly with vulnerable people due to the job you do, have a problem with the majority of convictions regardless of whether they are spent. (I know driving convictions where you have just got a fine and points are fine in education.)

What we do need is a better idea of the OPs situation. If he's punched someone in the gob he'll pass a majority of checks. If he's defrauded someone or sold company data on he's in trouble. Background checks aren't there to decide if he's a good candidate for the role, just he's not a risk.

True it does matter what his conviction is for. However by indicating what it is for on a forum accessible through google may cause him problems as some users, even though their username isn't their name, have had to delete posts because agents have guessed who they are.

Also the OP would probably rather not spend his time in a contract worrying that due to the sector he's in the client will ask him do to background checks at any time. Some of my clients in finance and defence haven't asked the agents to do checks up front they do them themselves after I've been on-site. (I strongly suspect these clients tend to choose contractors who have already worked in other industries that have background checks so they decide the risk is minimal.)

[northernladuk]

The thing is the OP has to worry about being background checked. Some companies are slack about their background checking and can spring it on you at any time. I've seen contractors who have ignored the client's wishes to do a background check walked off-site, so if you are in an industry that doesn't bother you are safer.

But the undertone to both you and Radish's post indicated that a conviction is definitely a problem. It's just a matter of risk. What's missing here is the details but many types of convictions will get checked and be passed as they do not meet the criteria to flag a risk associated to that role.

What we do need is a better idea of the OPs situation. If he's punched someone in the gob he'll pass a majority of checks. If he's defrauded someone or sold company data on he's in trouble. Background checks aren't there to decide if he's a good candidate for the role, just he's not a risk.

[radish2008]

Plus direct contracts (not via an agency) will almost certainly involve no checks at all if they are a small non financial business. Finance will most likely involve a third party vetting company and they are very thorough. Plus, whilst it might not bar you under hiring rules you might well be sat in a pile of other folk who have no convictions. It doesn't make it right but I guess that's the way it is.

[SueEllen]

I don't agree about finance being guaranteed no go at all but the question is a good one.

The thing is the OP has to worry about being background checked. Some companies are slack about their background checking and can spring it on you at any time. I've seen contractors who have ignored the client's wishes to do a background check walked off-site, so if you are in an industry that doesn't bother you are safer.

[northernladuk]

What others have said. Finance sector is almost guaranteed no-go for you, for the rest it depends on what the client is looking for. There is no rule on the wall saying - "Strictly NO contracts for convicts"

One question from me - Are you aiming at what the majority of the posters here consider "normal" contracts that require high skills and pay good money, or are you going for the bottom of the ladder 0-hour like contracts for low skill, low pay. high turnout roles like service desk etc? If it's the former you might have much bigger hurdles to overcome than a conviction, like having proper skillset/experience to even get a callback from the agents.

I don't agree about finance being guaranteed no go at all but the question is a good one.

[sal]

What others have said. Finance sector is almost guaranteed no-go for you, for the rest it depends on what the client is looking for. There is no rule on the wall saying - "Strictly NO contracts for convicts"

One question from me - Are you aiming at what the majority of the posters here consider "normal" contracts that require high skills and pay good money, or are you going for the bottom of the ladder 0-hour like contracts for low skill, low pay. high turnout roles like service desk etc? If it's the former you might have much bigger hurdles to overcome than a conviction, like having proper skillset/experience to even get a callback from the agents.

[northernladuk]

1) as a contractor - how difficult is it to find work with convictions of this nature?

Depends what it is for and the conditions. Finance, public sector and defence and maybe others will do enhanced checking and will find out but whether or not is a problem depends in the details. Fraud would be a problem, assault less so. You might struggle with these but many run of the mill gigs won't be a problem.

2) how do you know which recruitment agencies/employers will/will not ask about previous unspent convictions? Anecdotal evidence from what I've read is that most employers drop you as soon as they know of the previous conviction and unfortunately only around 10% have found sustainable employment

Just depends on the client and the type of work. No point worrying about this. Just got to get on and start applying good skills will tip this in your favour etc.

3) I've not setup my own company yet and not decided on the type, but would welcome any advice/pointers with regards to individuals who are/have been in this situation

As long as you've not been banned as a director it shouldnt be any different.

4) Any other further pointers/tips on how to gain employment as a contractor

Read the newbie guides on the right and learn how to search the forum using the method in the FAQ section. It's all there.

To be honest the biggest problem you are going to have is (I guess) a break in your work history and you are a newbie. This makes it difficult for anyone regardless of situation. You are a specialist selling your skills. If they are out of date or you cant demonstrate you've been applying them you are going to be at the back of a long queue.

That said reading all this you've got no choice but to get on and start applying. Only apply to stuff you can demonstrably do. Applying to stuff you think you can do but your CV doesn't support will waste everyone's time and get you even further in to the doldrums. I can't help think you'd be better going perm but I don't have enough details to prove it.

[SueEllen]

There is no hard and fast rule as it depends on:
1. What you conviction is for, and,
2. What sectors you are aiming at.

As a general rule the sectors who do background checks are those in finance, defence, government, health and eduction. Those in finance, health and education are stricter over convictions then the rest and will likely not touch you. There as government and defence depends on the firm/agency you are working for. So while the police don't like people with any convictions, defence companies if the conviction was for say - drink driving or assault aren't so bothered - as long as you declare it.

Some sectors don't do background checks at all e.g. manufacturing, telecoms unless you are working in the finance department.

Agents will normally tell you before you apply if you are going to subject to background checks and some ask you repeatedly. You can then bow out before your application is put forward.

Edited to say: No one on here is stupid enough to use their real name as these threads are searchable from google. Though you may accidentally find yourself working alongside posters on here.

[NotAllThere]

I've taken the liberty of amending your post to remove unnecessary details.

[JayJones]

Hi All,

JayJones is not my real name and please don't judge, I'm reaching out to all you guys please for help.

I'm a just a guy who did something incredibly stupid and now I'm paying the price by having a conviction against my name - I was handed a suspended sentence, with conditions attached.

Post arrest I was suicidal having lost everything but now I'm looking to the future in focusing on providing again for my family.

I'm looking to dip my toes into contracting and wanted to ask for advice in the contracting community on anyone who knows of or has experience in applying for work and the practicalities of contracting with this kind of conviction. The main questions I have are:

1) as a contractor - how difficult is it to find work with convictions of this nature?

2) how do you know which recruitment agencies/employers will/will not ask about previous unspent convictions? Anecdotal evidence from what I've read is that most employers drop you as soon as they know of the previous conviction and unfortunately only around 10% have found sustainable employment

3) I've not setup my own company yet and not decided on the type, but would welcome any advice/pointers with regards to individuals who are/have been in this situation

4) Any other further pointers/tips on how to gain employment as a contractor

Again, please don't judge. I'm just a broken man trying to get back on his feet again to feed his family. Any help and pointers gratefully received.

Cheers,

JayJones