If you have been convicted of driving under the influence, you may have asked yourself, “Can I get a job with a DUI?” Regardless of whether your conviction resulted in a misdemeanor or felony, potential employers may be cautious or even resistant to hiring you for an available position.
DUI convictions are serious and can have long-lasting consequences beyond the criminal penalties. If you’re facing a DUI charge right now, take an important first step and retain an aggressive legal advocate who can fight on your behalf to minimize the potential penalties and consequences of your charge. Luftman, Heck & Associates and our Columbus DUI lawyers, led by attorney Ben Luftman, are here to do just that for you.
Call us today at (614) 500-3836 or contact us online to schedule a free case evaluation.
Problematic Job Opportunities With a DUI
So you’re wondering, “Can I get a job with a DUI?”
Employers offering certain positions may be more sensitive or cautious about a prospective candidate’s DUI record than others. For instance, if you have DUI on your record and you are attempting to obtain a position that requires driving – for instance, a delivery driver, truck driver, or bus driver – you may run into some roadblocks with potential employers. As well, any position that involves dealing with children may preclude individuals with DUIs. Some companies retain confidential information policies that restrict them from hiring any person with a criminal record. Government and military jobs may also be out of reach if you have a DUI conviction that shows up on your background check.
With a DUI on your record, your job search may be more complicated and difficult, but you will not necessarily be precluded from finding a great job. To a great extent, your success or failure and obtaining employment may depend on how you approach your job search and interview process, as well as the type of job you are seeking.
Collateral Consequences Hindering a Job Search
Beyond the legal penalties stemming from a DUI conviction, there are ancillary consequences of your DUI that may hinder your job search. For instance, you may suffer the loss of your driver’s license for a number of months, or even longer, depending on the nature of your DUI offense. This can hinder you from having the ability to travel to and from work if you don’t have convenient access to public transportation. Relying on others, such as family members or friends, for transportation to work and back home again can also be problematic. Human resources departments at companies often request a new employee’s driver’s license to complete hiring paperwork. Not having this information to provide human resources can potentially raise concerns with hiring managers.
Know What’s in Your Background Check
Prior to entering a job interview, it’s important to find out what prospective employers may see on your background check. You should know whether or not your DUI will show up on your record. As well, it’s important to find any mistakes that may be present on your record, such as twice listed charges, or charges belonging to another person. Perform a background check on yourself. If you find errors, contact the state of Ohio to find out how have these errors may be removed. It could mean the difference between getting hired or passed over.
Don’t Mention It at the Outset
During the job interview process, some employers won’t ask you if you have a prior criminal conviction. Therefore, it is sometimes best to follow the lead of your interviewer and wait further into the interview to mention your DUI. It’s not necessary to include the mention of your DUI in your cover letter, during a phone screening call, or during an initial face-to-face meeting, unless the interviewer or hiring manager asks you the question.
Prepare Responses and Be Honest
If you are applying for a job for which you qualify and it is not a problematic job opportunity due to your DUI, take time to prepare in advance some responses to potential questions you may be asked about your previous conviction. Be absolutely honest with your answers.
Explain your DUI incident in a brief, but apologetic tone. Let the interviewer know that it was a lapse in judgment at the time and that you have now moved forward in life and learned your lesson. If you are able, give your potential employer examples of the changes you have made or the influences you have removed from your life since that time.
Contact Skilled Columbus DUI Lawyers
Are you currently up against a first, second, or subsequent DUI charge in Ohio? Before you need to consider the question, “Can I get a job with a DUI?”, make sure you have a strong legal advocate standing behind you to seek a mitigation or possible elimination of the legal consequences you are now facing. Attorney Ben Luftman and his team at Luftman, Heck & Associates are able to fight vigorously on your behalf.
Call us today at (614) 500-3836 to set up a free, no obligation consultation.
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