I have a DUI misdemeanor from 2023 and I'm in Talent Acquisition.

27 Comments

1. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 1:44PM UTC

   All you can do is the best you can. No one here has a crystal ball so we can say whether you'll be hired again. But I can't imagine this will be a permanent situation. Just keep networking and maybe find someone who will ignore you past bad decisions and concentrate on what improvements you've made in your life.

2. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 1:51PM UTC

   Check with your state DOJ to see if you can get the DUI expunged or pardoned. If not (or if it is too soon), don't dwell on or overthink it. Do TA roles typically do background checks? If not, most places probably won't know, and by all means, do not volunteer the information, but answer honestly, explaining what you have done since it if asked. This type of accountability and honesty is more important than a squeaky-clean record for many employers,

3. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 4:00PM UTC

   Yes, most companies will do a background check for TA.
   Thank you for your advice. I will always be truthful and if they ask, will tell them and of course, disclose on a background check. I can't get it expunged, so it's on my record until 10 years from now with the new clean slate law.

4. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 3:54PM UTC

   It sounds like you own your mistake and have learned from the experience. Don't focus on that instead focus on your stats in TA and how you can come in and hit the ground running wherever you go. Talk about your network. If you get to the phase where a background check shows this error in judgement, own it speak about it as a learning experience and move on. Yes, the market right now is total crap for TA but if you are good use your great references and experience to get over this speed bump. No one is perfect, we have all grown up making mistakes.

5. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 3:59PM UTC

   I only have to disclose the information when it comes to a background check or asked if I was convicted on an application for a misdemeanor.
   It's not a felony and yes, I had an attorney. It's a serious charge either way, but I've taken care of everything I needed to.

6. DVDgoddessApril 16,2024 at 4:03PM UTC

   talk to your lawyer about the possibility of having your record expunged after you have done all the due diligence requested by the courts.

7. Anne KrookApril 16,2024 at 4:05PM UTC

   This will weigh more heavily on you than on potential employers. When you are asked about it, address it with appropriate contrition and describe the steps you have taken.

   A key thing for you, more than perhaps for others who are RIFed, will be to keep working, even if at a job unrelated to your field (e.g. Home Depot or similar retail), both to show that you value working and for your own self-image as an employable person. In fact, if you go to a large organization, you may be able to work successfully there and then transition to a recruiting role within it. There's nothing like knowing an organization from the ground up, and when someone asks you why you are working in an allegedly unrelated field that is one of the replies you can give.

   Good luck!

8. Jacqui BaillieApril 16,2024 at 4:34PM UTC

   I'm not in the US, so I'm not sure if the same rules would apply.
   However, I've worked in TA in Canada for years and have hired several candidates with various issues, including a DUI. Most of the time, if it doesn't impact the role it's not a problem (eg if you'd been convicted of theft, we weren't likely to hire you as an accountant). If you know criminal checks are being done I'd mention it to your recruiter so there are no surprises, explain as much or as little as you'd like. We would work with legal to ensure we were comfortable with the risk but would usually move forward with the hire.

9. AnonymousApril 16,2024 at 6:31PM UTC

   Thank you so much. I appreciate it. I will always be honest about it and I have definitely learned from it and I am a person that has been employed since I was 14 and have been in this industry for 18 years, a top performer and have done very well. I have no doubt that I can continue to do well in my field, it didn't affect my job performance and my current company knew that I had it "pending" when I was hired, and they still gave me the chance. They were understanding and appreciated my honesty when I told them.

10. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 2:37AM UTC

    Was it a conviction or supervision? Some states offer you first supervision and it does not show on the record. I know someone who has DUI. Did not made them lose a job. Only if the job is driving a bus or flying, etc. So don't let this derail you. You got this!

11. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 4:31PM UTC

    It's a conviction and misdemeanor.

12. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 1:37PM UTC

    If it's a misdemeanor, I wouldn't think you would have a problem. I have a misdemeanor for disturbing the peace and i've never had an issue. I would come clean up front

13. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 2:48PM UTC

    Here's a dirty little secret a lot of people won't openly admit to: a lot more people than you'd think have had a DUI at some point in their lives. Myself? Been there done that learned from it (this was 20 years ago). Oh, I definitely beat myself up over it. It happened when I was in a weird point in my life - left a long-term boyfriend who was quite controlling so experiencing freedom for the first time in my adult life, recently lost a job, was out of control. I did land a job not long after that. My background screen results have never prevented me from getting a job. DUIs happen, we'd prefer it didn't. It's costly, holier than thous will pass judgment at every opportunity, etc. Be thankful that no one was hurt (or worse), learn from this, address any possible issues you have with alcohol and move on. Unless driving is a requirement of your job, there shouldn't be any issue. I have reviewed plenty of background screens with DUIs on them. And most it was a nonissue. I have seen at least one with two more more...and that's an issue. That's when we would decline (especially if they were recent) citing an individual's questionable judgment.

14. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 4:33PM UTC

    Thank you so much. I appreciate the kind words and I really hope that my next employer looks past it. I can explain and have changed my life, have been accountable, and am doing everything I can in my power to make things right.

15. Terrie McWhorterApril 17,2024 at 2:55PM UTC

    "I am sure that I am going to be passed on" STOP with the negative attitude. You have paid for your mistake and you need to MOVE ON from it. You did the crime and paid the fine, it is over, it is in the past. DO NOT LET IT DEFINE YOU. Only YOU can decide what defines you and you are letting that mistake take over. Go with confidence.

16. AnonymousApril 17,2024 at 4:34PM UTC

    Thank you!!! I will try to do that. :)

17. Darina Randi Woods SegatoreApril 18,2024 at 1:17PM UTC

    It should not be an issue unless of course driving clients is a critical part of your role. Frankly, I would seek out legal advice. And get yourself help.

18. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 6:46PM UTC

    Done and done, thank you. :)

19. Darina Randi Woods SegatoreApril 19,2024 at 6:20PM UTC

    Good for you ! I’ve been sober for 12 years. Some days all you have is your sobriety. But it’s none of your employers’ business unless it impacts your ability to do your job. Similarly in MA employers cannot merely deny employment bc of CORI stuff. It has to be specifically related to the job.

20. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 1:26PM UTC

    Why wait? She will be unemployed in June and needs to get started looking for a new opportunity. From what I understand TA is a tough market, so she should start looking and continue to focus on her mental health and feelings of guilt and shame. It isn't a linear process, and getting positive feedback from a job search, an interview, or a message post could be what she needs for her mental health. Multitasking is possible, and preferable in her situation.

21. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 4:03PM UTC

    Hello fellow TA professional! You are being extremely hard on yourself. I know this is a difficult market right now to get a job, but I don't think this will really stop you. Don't mention the DUI until you get the verbal offer conditional on background. Too early and they won't fall in love with you first, too late and it can appear like you are trying to hide something. When they mention background check, this is the time to talk to the recruiter about it. Tell your story. Speak to the fact that you know you made a terrible mistake--one that you take full accountability for and have learned from.

    It really depends on the company you are applying if they care or not. Banking is stricter, anything government, sometimes larger (older) corporations--these are not the industries to go after. Smaller companies, startups, younger companies--these should be where you target. I myself work for a smaller, yet growing company (around 80 people). We do not care about prior drug offenses or DUIs, just violent behavior or theft. Now, if you had 2 or 3 recent DUIs that would be another story. That would speak to a pattern of reckless behavior, and one that you haven't learned from.

    One DUI isn't the end of the world. The right company will see that doesn't define you. Honestly, only a couple will even care. Do you even want to work for one that does? That makes being a TA professional harder as you have to overlook great candidates that have made a prior mistake. We are all humans and are going to make mistakes in our lives, it is how we react to those mistakes that really show who we are. You seem to have taken this mistake very seriously and have made corrective actions. That is the best anyone can do in this situation. Keep your head up, YOU GOT THIS! The right company is out there!

22. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 6:20PM UTC

    Thank you so much for your kind words. I appreciate everything you've said, it made me feel better and I'm really hoping someone will give me a chance again. I'm very good at what I do and have almost 20 years experience and don't want to lose my career because of this. I have made mistakes and have definitely learned from it. Wish me luck in this market!

23. AnonymousApril 18,2024 at 6:41PM UTC

    Well with any crime or record, you are on probation and I will be on probation for a period of time including now. My DUI was from Jan 2023, so it's been over a year, but I was dispositioned in October because of court delays, etc... I have done everything that the courts require and more including therapy on my own. Being on probation doesn't make me a horrible person, it makes me a person who made a mistake and had a lapse in judgement and I'm doing what I have to, following the courts orders. In my career, I'm all about helping other people to have a better life and be successful. Being on probation doesn't change anything for me personally because I have no other criminal charges, but I think it can actually help a person to be better or at least more cognizant, there are rules we have to follow and you probably would have a better employee, in my opinion. I've always been a person to show up for work, do well, be successful, and no one in my life knows I even have this minus my immediate family and my current HR Director and VP. I told them when I was hired, it was pending at the time, but now it's a misdemeanor. They've never said anything about it or brought it up again. I'm only in transition due to a company wide layoff through no fault of my own. I understand everyone has their opinion and a company will decide what they are comfortable with, but no matter when the crime was, probation can go much longer in some cases. As long as the person is meeting those expectations and doing well, I think that shouldn't be held against them.

24. AnonymousApril 19,2024 at 1:14AM UTC

    Not all companies allow hiring managers to look at background checks, frankly I am surprised that yours does. In my company, I am the only one who sees background checks (being in HR). If there is a background check that comes back with anything on it other than what we have predetermined is being okay/not okay, this goes directly to the CEO and no one else, to make that call. Not everyone in the company should have access to these very sensitive documents, including hiring managers.

    I think the OP understood the weight of her actions based on her posting. I don't think beating anyone up for a crime that they have already paid their debt to society does any good. Your husband being a cop, he should know that DUIs happen, but that doesn't make someone a bad person or a career criminal. I think it would be very short-sighted to miss out on a potential great employee for 1 blip in their otherwise clean record.

25. AnonymousApril 19,2024 at 4:43AM UTC

    Yes, which is exactly my point. I’m being watched and monitored for the most part, whereas, your other employees are not and anyone can get a DUI at any point, or commit any other crime for that matter. Bring on probation shouldn’t stop me from working. Lets not forget this happen 1.5 years ago and I’ve been working this entire time. No one knows anything and I’m a great employee!

26. rgstaffing@bellsouth.netApril 19,2024 at 12:53PM UTC

    This should not stop you from getting a job. Cover this incident up front if they do a background check. Most companies are looking for felons.

27. AnonymousMay 22,2024 at 12:22PM UTC

    So I may get an offer today from one employer and the actual hiring manager will be calling me with the offer. Not someone in HR and the first person I talked to at the company was another recruiter who would be on my team directly so I didn’t think it was appropriate to disclose with him. Being that the hiring manager who will be my direct manager is calling me, should disclose then? It’s weird bc it’s my actual manager and not Hr.

    Or should I just disclose the trinity in my background check? No mention of background check has come up yet at all in our conversations.

    Please help!