Guest Author - Valarie Anthony

You Can Run, but you can't hide:

* Ex-offenders and others with red flags in their backgrounds have no place
to hide;

* DO NOT LIE! In today's increasingly high-tech and litigious society, there
are more employers today with the ability to conduct thorough background
checks and verify stated employment. Often, this can be done while you are
still in their building and on interviews!

* For those with criminal backgrounds and similar histories, these issues
will not be able to disappear;

* A job application is considered a legally binding document;

* You may lose your job as a result of lying on your job application, even
several years down the road;

* You are disqualified from collecting unemployment insurance if you lose
your job as a result of lying on your employment application;

* Omitting something on your job application can be construed as making a
false statement;

* You should be prepared to explain any gaps in your employment history in
the most positive, yet honest, way possible;

* You may need to deal with possible objections to your background and
demonstrate that you are a VALUABLE PERSON to others.


Be truthful, realistic and focused on shaping your future

* Employers are interested in hiring your future, not your past;

* Forget about your criminal background, substance abuse history, mental
health issues, etc. for a moment and think of yourself as being like any
other job seeker;

* In many ways, you are similar to other job seekers. You are someone with
the potential to get the job done;

* Be prepared to mention the changes you have made in your life so that the
situation that supported past negative behavior no longer exists for you;

* Accept responsibility for past mistakes, but do NOT dwell on it, and be
brief and to the point;

* DO NOT blame others for your circumstances;

* Many people make the mistake of offering too much information about their
past, rather than focusing on the positives and what they have done to
rehabilitate themselves;

* Focus on your future and how your skills will make a positive contribution
to the company; spend more time on this part of your speech.



The Speech


* You should be prepared to deal with questions regarding your past issues
in a positive way;

* You have control over the way you answer this question in an interview
situation;

* If you do not bring it up, the employer may wonder what you have to hide.
Remember, honesty is the best policy;

* If you do not mention it, many employers do not know what they can and
can't ask about certain situations, and you will NOT be considered for the
job;

* Make sure that your voice does not convey a negative attitude while
discussing the circumstances of your situation;

* Since you have changed the situation, you have made it easier to change the
behavior. You have overcome the negative cycle;

* It was a difficult learning experience you had to go through. You have
"done your time" and are now ready to get on with a more positive life;

* You want to demonstrate to the employer that with your skills and
attitude, you will make a positive contribution to the company.