Criminal record - USA

[jesta1865]

try contracting, go in a low level and take it from there. when i first started i had an issue with a person (not the company i had left) not doing a reference. the agency i went through got me a gig where the client was desperate for help and wasn't bothered one reference was missing.

i know it's not really the same, but it may be the way for you to get a foot in the door somewhere and long term a permanent position.

if nothing else it may bring some money in, and the agency i go through have now got multiple references for me over the last couple of years saying what a good job i'm doing.

i'm also self taught on virtulisation, Linux, Cisco routers etc. yes i am a geek

[CloaK]

Vaud said:

Can you re-train in the evenings?

PHP, web site management, etc? Start solo for SMEs who won't ask - you are their service provider?

Yes I could easily re-train days/nights if I found something viable. Anything involving programming is sadly a no for me, I had 3 years of that at Uni and just couldn't get to grips with it.

DCS01 said:

I don't want to put a dampener on things, but I take it you don't have US citizenship. Do you know if the Americans will even let you back in the country, with a history like you have.
I've not been so good myself and have had convictions in this country, so can sympathies with you.

Best of luck with both the job hunt and getting back to the US.

I'm not a US citizen, in fact I'd never been to the US until the Marshals came for me. I signed some papers with ICE before my repatriation agreeing not to come back until 10 years had lapsed although it's unlikely I'll ever go back/get to go back. Thanks for your post.

Mark-C said:

Sorry, I may have misread some of the above but are you looking at a job in the UK as a UK citizen? If so unless you are looking at SC or DV classified work then an employer may ask for your UK criminal record vis https://www.gov.uk/disclosure-barring-service-chec... and you can ask for one yourself for £26. Fairly sure that doesn't show up foreign convictions but probably worth the spend to see what a UK company would see.

You're still left with the CV gap of course but it's then down to you and how you feel about dealing with it.

Good luck. I've had a criminal conviction a long time ago and all is good now but it's hard work to get there.

Yes I'm looking at working in the UK. I applied for the disclosure and the conviction is listed, foreign jurisdiction. I think this may be because I applied for a treaty transfer to see out the remainder of my sentence in the UK which would also have meant less time to serve. It didn't turn out so good though as they took over two years to process it. In hindsight I shouldn't have bothered, it was a nightmare process to actually see the Judge and sign the papers.

Happy to see you made it good though.

TwigtheWonderkid said:

OP, try approaching some charities and offer to do unpaid IT work for them. If you can get work of that kind, it'll help balance up your previous misdemeanours when you apply for paid jobs. Plus it'll sharpen up your IT skills after your time away from the industry.

That's a good shout, I'll have a go.

jesta1865 said:

try contracting,
i know it's not really the same, but it may be the way for you to get a foot in the door somewhere and long term a permanent position.
i'm also self taught on virtulisation, Linux, Cisco routers etc. yes i am a geek

I'd be more than happy with a contract position as I know with my attitude it could lead to something permanent which is my wish.

I haven't tried the IT recruitment agencies yet, maybe it's fear of outright rejection perhaps but I'll need to do something soon.

Are there any recruitment consultants with an opinion on how that would go?

[Vaud]

Yikes - you mean you were extradited? Must have been pretty scary.

[carreauchompeur]

Vaud said:

Yikes - you mean you were extradited? Must have been pretty scary.

+1. That's a story and a half and fair play for having shared some of it on here.

A salutary tale to anyone considering fkwittery on even US hosted sites!

[CloaK]

Vaud said:

Yikes - you mean you were extradited? Must have been pretty scary.

The extradition process was probably a worse experience than the prison, well except Fresno.

If you ever find yourself presented with a US extradition warrant, IMO just go. I had a QC, junior counsel and two other lawyers on my case all to no avail.

[DCS01]

Sorry to hear that the record show's up on the disclosure here. Are there not positions / jobs that you could go for, that employers don't / cannot ask for a disclosure.
I was under the impression that not all types of work / employers could ask for a records check, only if the position involved either in working with children or in the financial sector / regulated position.
Hopefully some one with more insight to this, will be along shortly and give us both in the right information on this.
Again best of luck with the job hunt.

[CloaK]

Well I bit the bullet and plucked up the courage to speak to a local IT recruitment agency, he appreciated my honesty and said it was 'a toughie' but he'd see what he could do. I sent him a little cover letter to try and clarify my situation. This is what I sent...



Thought I’d include a note with my CV expanding a little on what we spoke about. I’m well aware I’m in a very difficult situation but I feel I do have a lot to offer despite being out of IT professionally for a few years.

My IT career was cut short (hopefully temporarily) due to proceedings brought against me by the USA which I will happily expand upon if granted an informal chat or interview. I did end up with a record, though only in the USA. The case is finished and there are no further proceedings. This is the one and only time I’ve had a brush with the law.

I'm keen, hungry and I think I'm a super guy to work with. My attitude is great and I am probably more appreciative than your regular Joe.
I do however have this albatross of my case around my neck, I thought I'd be upfront about it first before anything happened. I'd hate to be working for a good company in a good job doing well without them knowing and for it to then come up.

Everything is done and dusted with my case which I would be happy to discuss at length. I'd just like to say that what happened to me was totally out of character and I feel I deserve a fresh chance.

The upside of it is possibly the fact that the first good job I'm offered I will take and probably be at that company for life as I would be reluctant to go through my case with a new employer.

I’m happily willing to start at the bottom again in any role.

You mentioned about specific IT skills that may help, any ideas which ones? I’d be happily to re-train for something or even go back to Uni if you thought that would improve my chances. As long as it doesn’t involve coding, had a lot of that Uni and couldn’t get to grips with it!

[LucreLout]

OP, the charity suggestion earlier is an excellent suggestion. Giving something back might help paint a more rounded picture of you rather than people only seeing a crim.

Another option is to apply to small businesses, many of whom don't bother with crb checks.

You might want to think about certification courses etc. Otherwise for general training, have a look at pluralsight - I have no connection to this company other than being a customer, or Lynda.com to which I also have no connection.

Alternatively, go contracting. Reference checking and hr processes are allegedly more lax for them than permies.

Personally speaking I'm not a believer in rehabilitation of offenders where convictions are not declared. My view is they are part of the deal and should be declarable for life in all instances. Saying that, one of the best people I ever hired had a conviction I deemed irrelevant to the role and he worked out superbly, so there is always hope. Good luck.

[Autopilot]

LucreLout said:

Alternatively, go contracting. Reference checking and hr processes are allegedly more lax for them than permies.

It depends on the role you're applying for and the agency recruiting. One agency I've worked with require all candidates to undergo Disclosure Scotland checks. I didn't really know if this was required because the role required it or the agent wanted it.

My last role required every member of staff, permanent or contractor to undergo SC. I was a contractor and they sponsored my SC and while I was there, one of the permies was required to undergo DV. I'm certain he had prior convictions but passed the process.

[CubanPete]

CloaK said:

The big gap on the CV is difficult to get around without lying and could open another can of worms and possibly leave me subject to criminal proceedings. I've had enough of that.

Contracting for US government? Not allowed to talk about it?

[Rude-boy]

CubanPete said:

CloaK said:

The big gap on the CV is difficult to get around without lying and could open another can of worms and possibly leave me subject to criminal proceedings. I've had enough of that.

Contracting for US government? Not allowed to talk about it?

"Was given a free visit, with free accommodation and with all expenses paid, to the USA at the request and cost of the US Government. I'd love to tell you all about it but wouldn't want to risk breaching any US Laws as my understanding is that they are not understanding."

[worsy]

Autopilot said:

LucreLout said:

Alternatively, go contracting. Reference checking and hr processes are allegedly more lax for them than permies.

It depends on the role you're applying for and the agency recruiting. One agency I've worked with require all candidates to undergo Disclosure Scotland checks. I didn't really know if this was required because the role required it or the agent wanted it.

My last role required every member of staff, permanent or contractor to undergo SC. I was a contractor and they sponsored my SC and while I was there, one of the permies was required to undergo DV. I'm certain he had prior convictions but passed the process.

Most convictions are not an issue for clearance. Hiding them, however minor is though.

[Vaud]

worsy said:

Most convictions are not an issue for clearance. Hiding them, however minor is though.

True. Hiding anything in clearance is an issue. They don't mind that you have a past. They just want to know how honest you are are, and if that past could create leverage for another party.

[CloaK]

CubanPete said:

Contracting for US government? Not allowed to talk about it?

LOL That's what my father told anyone who asked about me.

NB To all those who sent me PMs I've only just checked this PH account so apologies for not responding at the time. I have sent a reply to all of you today.

Thanks again.

[Autopilot]

Vaud said:

True. Hiding anything in clearance is an issue. They don't mind that you have a past. They just want to know how honest you are are, and if that past could create leverage for another party.

Apologies, that is what I was alluding to but never actually put that in my post. Quite an intrusive process