Help and advice for ex-offenders
Looking for work with a criminal record
When applying for work you should push the positives, such as your previous work experience, and skills you learnt in prison if you served time.
If you’re just starting your job search, try these tips:
- use the internet and Jobcentre Plus phone service 0845 606 0234
- check local and national papers
- many jobs aren’t advertised and are filled by word of mouth — tell your friends and family you're looking for work so they can keep an eye out for vacancies
- don't forget recruitment agencies - some of these specialise in temporary work, which can lead to permanent jobs
- get help from someone at the Jobcentre Plus, a careers adviser or your probation officer.
You can get more advice on finding work and job hunting methods in our sections on getting a job.
How can I persuade employers to look beyond my criminal record?
You have to show employers your crimes are in your past and you’re going to be a reliable, trustworthy employee.
When you’re released, you could start work on your skills by doing a training course or some volunteering. Training courses and volunteering can build your confidence and give you something positive to talk about to employers. They also take the pressure off finding work and increase your chances of being offered work by word of mouth.
Don't send out lots of rushed applications — apply for fewer jobs but spend longer on them. Follow the instructions on the application form, show how you meet the person specification and make it neat and tidy. And only apply for the jobs you're likely to get — don't waste time on jobs you haven't got the right skills and experience for. Once you get your first job, if you're a good employee you'll find it easier to get your next job.
How can I present my past in a positive light?
You need to convince employers that you've moved on and are no longer a risk to anybody. You can say you regret the offence, you don’t intend to re-offend and you now want to work hard. A change in your circumstances is a good way to show you've moved on, so mention it if you've settled into family life or have other responsibilities that would mean you would have too much to lose to re-offend.
If any of these factors apply to you and your conviction(s), mentioning them to employers may make them see you in a more positive light:
- your criminal record is very old
- you offended when very young and now have responsibilities such as a partner, a family, a house, a job
- the crime isn’t relevant to the job you're applying for
- you pleaded guilty to the crime you committed the crime because you were going through a bad time, such as financial problems, but these are now sorted out
- the crime sounds more serious than it is
- if the circumstances in which the crime was committed makes it less serious.
Make sure these don't sound like excuses. If you're honest and own up to things that were your fault it will show you've accepted responsibility for your actions.
Don't try to hide or gloss over your record, but try not to write or talk too much about it. Stress that you are applying for the job because you think you'll be good at it, and make this the main focus of your application or interview.
If you have more than one conviction, you could try to group them together rather than listing them all. For instance, if you've had more than one conviction for theft, you could say ‘I have convictions for theft, but the most recent of these is now spent’.
What about self-employment?
This might be an attractive option, as ex-offenders don’t have to disclose their criminal record to anybody. Ask at your local Jobcentre Plus about any funding and advice you might qualify for to set up your own business. You can get help with self-employment on some New Deal schemes.
If you’re aged 18 to 30 and unemployed or working fewer than 16 hours a week, you might be able to get help from the Prince’s Trust.
