Your Criminal Record And Your Resume

Your Criminal Record And Your Resume Resume dilemma Criminal recordIndividuals with criminal histories face numerous obstacles when seeking employment, so its important they make the one document that can open doorsthe resumeas effective as possible. Follow these tips to ensure your resume is ready to go.Dont reference your criminal backgroundThe purpose of a resume is to help you secure a job interview. For your resume to work, it must highlight your top qualifications for the position and demonstrate that you would be an excellent employee. While its important to be honest on your resume, revealing information about a criminal background is best prankeled in a face-to-face interview.Many states prohibit employers from asking about an arrest record but allow them to inquire about past convictions. (Check with your states attorney generals office to determine what employers can and cannot ask you.)If the employer asks a legal question regarding your criminal history, briefly explain what happened, but keep it positive and dont dwell on the past. Explain that you have learned from your mistakes and are currently interested in making a positive contribution to the employers operation.When completing job applications that ask about your conviction record, you must be honest. Select yes when asked if you have been arrested, and in the section that asks you to provide the details, write something like will explain in interview.Highlight related training/work experienceIf your criminal background includes prison time and you took advantage of training or work opportunities during that time, you may include these experiences on your resume.Write the anthroponym of the facility and your title (e.g., Arthur Green Correctional Facility, Commissary Clerk) in your resumes Work Experience section. Treat this position as any other position and write about key skills you developed and any positive contributions you made. If you completed further education while in prison, wri te the name of the sponsoring institution along with the details of your training in your Education section.Keep in mind that employers are less interested in your early career prison-related activities from more than 10 years ago can be omitted.Dont emphasize unrelated experienceIf your work or educational experiences from prison are unrelated to your career goal, you should not feature them prominently on your resume. The most effective resumes are targeted to an objective your related experience and training should be the focus of your resume.You may, however, add an Additional Experience section to your resume and briefly list your prison-related work or training if you need to cover a big-time gap.Use available job search resourcesIf you were recently released from prison and are in a work-release program, take advantage of job search services offered by your facility. A placement specialist may be able to help you find employment or offer guidance that will facilitate your sea rch. Many states offer tax credits to employers as incentives to hire ex-offenders.Smooth out the wrinklesEven with all this advice, writing your resume can be an intimidating prospect. Could you use a hand making sure your resume is ready for a job search?Get a free resume evaluation today from the experts atMonsters Resume Writing Service. Youll get detailed feedback in two business days, including a review ofyour resumes appearance and content, and a prediction of a recruiters first impression.Its a quick and easy way to be sure your skills and passion for work shine through.