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It's hard enough that a person will have to tell their family that they have been arrested for driving under the influence (DUI), but what about their potential employers?
When a person applies for a job, their potential employers will want to know about their criminal record, should they have one. Anyone who happens to have a misdemeanor or felony DUI conviction may be concerned about whether or not it will be brought up in their job application process.
If this is the case, here is everything a person should know as well as what can be done to prepare for such a situation.
Do You Have to Disclose a DUI?
When an individual has a DUI on their record, they may be tempted to not want to mention it at all. However, if a job application is specifically asking a person about their criminal history, then they should disclose it. An individual choosing not to disclose their criminal history is considered lying, and that is never a good look for employers.
Often, before an employer hires someone, they will run a background check on that person. If an applicant has a DUI, then this will appear in this check. What’s worse is that, if an individual chooses to lie, the company will eventually find out and lose its trust in you.
A hiring manager or recruiter may hire a person with a DUI conviction, but they will never hire a liar. If an employer hires an individual only to find out later about their DUI, they will almost certainly be terminated. For more information regarding the legalities of not being hired due to a DUI, contact the DWI lawyers in Fort Worth Texas at Sparks Law Firm. They can also answer other DUI related questions such as what happens on a second DUI and how many times does the average person drive drunk before getting a DUI.
What Happens When I Disclose a DUI?
Different employers will have different views on DUIs. Their view depends on many things, such as the industry, the type of job that was applied for, and the company’s culture. While some employers may not even bat an eyelid at a DUI, other employers will patently refuse to hire an individual with a DUI on their record. Furthermore, employers are allowed to do this, and it is, in fact, considered legal. Employers can pass over a potential employee because of their criminal history.
However, a large majority of employers will fall somewhere in between these two extremes. They regard a DUI conviction as a red flag, but they will still consider hiring the person. Especially, if this individual is highly qualified in other ways, then that person may get an employer who is willing to overlook the DUI. If this is the case, they may ask the individual about the DUI during their interview.
How Do I Talk About My DUI?
At a job interview, a person with a DUI conviction should be expecting a question to be asked about it and should prepare their answer in advance. It is important to think of a question like this one just like any other tough interview question, as you can plan for these types of questions in advance and give a solid response.
One of the best tactics available for a person needing to discuss their DUI is to mention that it was a mistake and their lesson has been learned. If it happened a long time ago, a person can suggest that they were young and foolish. However, if it was recent, a person can argue that they have learned from their mistakes. The whole point of this response is for an individual to show their potential employers that their DUI is a thing of the past and that they are qualified and strong candidates irrespective of their DUI.
An important thing for an individual to remember is that they should not bring up the DUI unless the interviewer has brought it up first. Chances are, if a person has been called in for an interview, then it is most likely that the employer is interested in them as a candidate.
They may not even care about a person’s DUI at all or have already made the decision that it is not relevant, so if they do not make a big deal out of it, then neither does the candidate.
Can I Keep My DUI Off Record?
Those that have been convicted of a DUI can eventually have it expunged. By doing this, their DUI is completely removed from their criminal record, and a person will no longer have to disclose this to their potential employers. Expunging a DUI is best done with the help of an experienced lawyer. Sparks Law Firm can help! Contact it today at (817) 381-7846 for a free consultation.
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