If you are planning to undergo a slew of job interviews, it is wise to prepare by going through mock interview questions. This is especially true for those who have a misdemeanor criminal record. Employers these days can run background checks on potential hires with just a simple click of a button; so if you had an arrest or misdemeanor charge in your past, you can safely assume your interviewer will know about it.

But do not be concerned; so long as you know how to appropriately answer job interview questions about your misdemeanor record, you can prove to your future employer that your past is truly in the past, and does not characterize to your current reputation or work ethic.

Continue reading to learn an easy, 3 step approach to answering job interview questions about your criminal history.

You may be worried that no one will hire you because you have a past arrest or criminal record. You may be asking yourself, “Will I ever have a decent job role again?” The answer is “yes”; someone will hire you, so long as you can represent yourself in a professional and respectful manner, and discuss your criminal record with transparency and remorse.

Here are the three steps to follow when your criminal record comes up in a job interview:

❶ Explain What Happened

With as much maturity and honesty as possible, explain the situation surrounding your arrest or criminal charge. Do not go into great detail, but do lay out the foundation for what happened. Basically, the job interviewer will want to see that you own up and acknowledge your mistakes. It is better that your potential employer hears you explain the situation than for them to just read it on paper and make their own assumptions.

❷ Describe Your Actions While in Jail

In addition to acknowledging your mistakes, a potential employer wants to know that you bettered yourself by turning a bad situation into a good one. Prove this to them by describing all of your accomplishments and achievements while incarcerated and/or on probation. This includes any classes or courses, anger management, counseling, community service, reconciliations with friends and family, paid restitution, and anything else that shows you wanted to improve your character and put in the effort to do so.

❸ Explain What You are Doing Now

Last, describe to your potential employer what you are currently up to in life. This will show them that the mistake you made was not an action that defines you as a person. It will show them that your criminal mishap is not something that will repeat itself ever again. Talk about furthering your education, community involvement, counseling or therapy, hobbies, clubs, fitness goals, relationship status, and all other positive actions and activities in your life.

How to Clean Up Your Criminal Record                          

If you still have trouble getting hired, you should consider criminal record expungement or record sealing. There are new laws in Indiana that allow those who qualify to conceal their criminal background from the public, including employers. Call David E. Lewis, Attorney at Law at 317-636-7514 and schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your eligibility for criminal record expungement in Indiana. Our services start as low as $850, so virtually anyone can afford to clear their criminal records or petty crimes and apprehensions.