Ask HN: How to handle a record during an interview?

2 pointsmelonbar7y ago3 comments

I have a record, I was convicted of a handful of felonies roughly five years ago and ended up going to prison. I have since then gotten an awesome job and am doing well. On a whim I put a few application in to some dream jobs (I reverse commute at the moment and would like to get closer to the city) and a few companies are actually very interested. I even have an interview coming up in a few days for full-stack React development. Do I disclose up front? Any input from people who do the hiring would be greatly appreciated. I would hate for it to be a perfect fit and no one says anything, only for it to be a huge issue down the road. I am confident that I can get a job on the merit of my code and I do not want to shoot myself in the foot. Thanks for any input!

3 comments

3 comments · 2 top-level

mindcrime7y ago· 1 in thread

My feeling is to take an "own it, and be up front about it" mindset. Tell them what happened, admit that you goofed up, explain how/why you believe you learned your lesson or whatever, and make it clear that you won't be doing that again (whatever it was). Without knowing anything more about your situation, that's the best advice I can think of.

melonbarOP7y ago

I got involved in drug sales and ended up threatening a fellow dealer with a weapon. I was going to a good school at the time and ended up going back to school while away. Thanks a bunch for the advice!

jrgnsd7y ago

An interview is more about how you present yourself than about your actual skills, so make sure that you create a good impression first before telling them. In my interviews I usually ask about a record towards the end of the interview so that I'm not biased, but if it comes up earlier, be truthful about it.

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