Never Reference the Criminal Background You Have
A professionally prepared resume can really help you in securing an interview. If you really want your resume to work, then you should highlight the top qualifications you have. It's your resume through which you can demonstrate that you are the best candidate for the job announced by the employer. It is very important to remain honest while preparing your resume. However, it is not a good idea at all to add your criminal background to the resume you are preparing. The best practice is to reveal your criminal background during the face to face interview.
Most states have prohibited employers from asking about arrest records during their interview sessions. But employers can really inquire about your past convictions. To know more about this, you can check with your State's Attorney Generals' Office. Here, you can determine what an employer can ask you as far as your criminal history is concerned. If a potential employer is asking about your criminal record in a legal way, then mention everything to him to the best of your knowledge. Keep things positive during this sort of interaction and never dwell into the past. Try to convince the employer that you are now cautious about these activities and have learned from the mistakes you made in the past. In this way, you can convince him that you are now interested in generating a positive and trustworthy contribution if the employer selects you for the job.
You should stay honest while completing the job application that asks a few things about your conviction record. If it asks queries like whether or not you have been convicted and arrested, then click on Yes. If there is a section that asks to offer more details, you should clearly mention that you will explain things during the interview session.
Always Highlight Your Work Experience and Relevant Training That You Have Gone Through
If you have spent some time in prison, and during that period you have taken advantage of relevant training and work opportunities, then you can always add these experiences to your resume. Never leave out the title and the facility when adding these experiences to the work experience section in the resume.