How will my criminal record affect my job prospects?

Unfortunately, if you have a criminal record, it may be harder to get hired, paid, and promoted fairly. But you are not alone—one in four adults in the U.S. has a criminal record,[1843] and having a record does not mean you are unqualified for the job. If you take steps to understand your rights, responsibilities, and limitations, you can arm yourself with the knowledge necessary to secure the right job.

Employers often conduct background checks on job applicants and current employees. In order to be prepared, you must be highly proactive about:

    Learning strategies for how to present your skills, credentials, and personal background (for more information, see PG. 564);
    Understanding and cleaning up your criminal record (some record-cleaning can only happen later-on in reentry—for more information, see PG. 571); and
    Knowing and protecting your rights (for more information, see PG. 609).
  1. 1843

    See National Employment Law Project, 65 Million Need Not Apply: The Case for Reforming Criminal Background Checks for Employment (2011). ↑