Cheersbarnaby

Hi Barnaby,

What do you do when an application asks if you’ve been arrested or convicted of a crime and your answer is yes? If you’re honest, you’re surely not going to get the job or flat, whatever it may be, but if you answer no and they run a background check they know you’re a liar. Is it worse to be a criminal or a liar?

Renee

Hey Renee,

Your question denotes one of the biggest problems with lawlessness, for something that can seem fun, innocent or even ridiculous at the time can then hold you back for the rest of your life. I once spoke to a girl who was caught skinny-dipping in a lake at night with her boyfriend in the states and got a record for it – and now has to go through the exact same dilemma as you everytime she has to fill out an application form for anything.

So, what do I suggest? Well, this isn’t strictly legal, but if it’s an application form that could potentially lead to an interview then I would lie and say no, that you haven’t got a conviction. But if you then make it to interview, I think you have to be honest from then on. If you don’t then you’ll be caught out eventually, and when that day comes the ramifications will be far far worse, especially if it’s a career thing, as you may well have built up something good on the back of a lie, then lose it all in one fell swoop. I think any potential employer would prefer to know the truth up front, and I am guessing that what you did isn’t TOO bad anyway, so that employer will still judge you on you rather than any past misdemeanours.

But if you tell anyone you have a conviction on an application form before the interview stage, then you will never get an interview. It’s sad, but true. So don’t do it. Lie.

Cheers,

barnaby

My suggested soundtrack:

Criminal – Fiona Apple
Working Day And Night – Michael Jackson
Working 9 to 5 – Dolly Parton