How should you answer questions about your conviction?

After serving your sentence behind bars in South Carolina, you have been released and are looking forward to a hopeful future. While in jail, you took advantage of programs and resources that were provided to you to give you opportunities to establish core competencies and gain valuable job skills. Now, you have a job interview, but you are worried about what will happen if you are asked questions about your criminal past.

Depending on the industry you are interested in working in, your criminal history could have more of an impact than it would in others. In many cases, you may be sitting in an interview when you are suddenly asked a question about your felony charge. Preparing ahead of time to answer these types of questions with confidence and poise is critical to your success and your ability to establish a good reputation despite your past.

According to Chron, one of the most important things to remember is to be honest. Filter your story to exclude unnecessary details, but be forthright in explaining why you were convicted. When discussing your conviction, include information about what you have done to overcome your negative behaviors. Focus on your resolve to be a better person. Reiterate your desire to get the job and your commitment to working hard. Talking about your conviction can be an opportunity to tell your interviewer what skills you have been able to strengthen as the result of the experiences you have had.

The information in this article is intended for educational purposes only and should not be taken as legal advice.