How to Handle a DUI in Your Job Search

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You don't even have to violate a law to be forced into exile from the job market.
All you have to do is collect disability benefits - ever. I got myself tangled up in that when I was a teenager.
When people do that and then later find themselves in possession of a marketable skill, businesses desire never to see them or hear from them if they should mention a desire to be employed.
Does Suzanne know how to deal with this one? You cannot put this data onto your application as a way to sell yourself. You cannot just pass it off as an honest answer to a question! Questions pertaining to a "history of a disability" will never be asked. Instead, you will be asked "Where have you been for all of those years?" when you are interviewed.
I would personally like one-off answers about whether my past would preclude an employment possibility with each business. But unlike asking the question in reference to a criminal record, it is foolish to ask it in reference to disabilities. The answer is always "We are an equal opportunity employer".
I still want a forthright answer though. I do not even want to set myself up for the hassle and disillusionment of interviewing with people whose bias will prevent them from hiring me.

Kevin of MA 9:59PM September 21, 2010

it's sad that you can not make one mistake in this country without being severely punished. I had a dui and will never drive drunk again, but will never find a job again! And what is complete BS is that people interviewing you have all done it and just didn't get caught!!

bboyj of WI 11:53PM September 01, 2010

what if the application doesn't have any questions pertaining to a dui offense? I'm applying for a banking position but all the questions are a misdemeanor or felony. A dui is not considered a misdemeanor it's considered a driving violation and since I won't be driving for them I shouldn't mention it since it's probably irrelevant. Any thoughts?

Surfguy1 of NJ 12:57PM July 05, 2010

Is it legal in Illinois to sell alcohol in a convenience store without a driver's license? I work with someone who has lost their driving privileges and still sells alcohol. Thank you.

Ilene Frazer of IL 9:55PM June 03, 2009

The Attorney General’s office for the state of Utah is at http://attorneygeneral.utah.gov

linda jones of UT 8:21AM December 27, 2008

You can do a free background check on yourself to see what shows up before you submit a job application. Resources for public documents are abundantly available if you know where to look. For example, in West Virginia, start with the West Virginia official state website at www.wv.gov. They have links to all online government offices and a clickable map to guide your way through the states counties.
Find helpful links at the Attorney General’s website at www.wvago.gov.
The West Virginia State Police have a website at www.wvstatepolice.com that you can search criminal records and sex offenders for your West Virginia background check.
If you need driving records or vehicle ownership verification for your West Virginia background check the can be found at www.wvdot.com/6_motorists/dmv/6G_DMV.HTM. This is the Division of Motor Vehicles for West Virginia. Here you will find contact information for their 23 regional offices that can help you obtain information.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires that an employer tell you if his pre-employment background search turns up anything that causes him to deny you the job, and he has to tell you where he got the information. If he purchases the background check http://backgroundsearch.com, the FCRA requires that he must get your written permission first.

belinda may of NJ 8:09AM December 27, 2008

For job applicants with a criminal record, there is a temptation to hide it and hope it wills not e found, but honesty is the best policy. A minor conviction that is old is unlikely to have much impact. In fact, most states as well as the federal EEOC require that there be a business justification for denying the job based upon such things as the nature and gravity of the crime, the nature of the job, and how long ago it occurred. New York for example uses a longer list of factors and under NY laws effective 2/1/2009, an employer must provide you a copy of section 753 of Article 23-A before doing the background check and again if a criminal record is found, as well as post that section. Many states have various limits on how far background firm can go, so in California for example, it is unlikely that a competent screening firm would even report it.
The bottom-line is that a ten year old DUI is not likely to have much impact. However, if an employer should happen to discover an applicant lied that would certainly have an impact. The problem here is balancing security adn public protection with the need to give everyone a chance to get a job. It is unfair that many people with criminal records are hampered form getting employment and in fact, is creating a big social problem since how can an ex-offender get back into society without a job. How many more prisons can we build as a society at the expense of schools and hospitals? However, no one would argue that a person should be placed in a job where the past criminal record demonstrates a risk to others. It is a delicate balancing act.

Concerned citizen of CO 11:03PM December 18, 2008