Criminal Record

Hi, I am currently in my first year of university studying for a Mathematics BSc. I have started to look into avenues for which to pursue a career, my ideas are pretty similar. I want to work in the finance sector perhaps as an actuary, accountant, investment banker or similar fields in finance.

However I am plagued by a mistake I made 2 years ago, in may 2007 I was convicted for the possession of stolen monies. Even though my conviction is spent, I still have to disclose it when applying for jobs such as these. Do you think it will have a significant negative effect on my chances of gaining a job in this area? Will I even get a job? :frown:

Your opinions would be very much appreciated. Thank You.

Reply 1

GR29KHS

2

http://www.jobsite.co.uk/career/advice/career_convictions.html

Financial Institution Employee
Banks are quite strict about who they employ. Even after a successful job interview, the bank will check your credit rating, to see if you have had any financial problems in the past. The criteria used will not be the same as if you were trying to purchase a financial product, but your finances should illustrate your ability to manage your own money as well as customers. If you have been or are bankrupt or been guilty of criminal convictions, then it is likely you will not be offered a job. Customers expect trust from their financial institutions, therefore any question marks up on your ability to deliver that trust, will be looked at negatively.

Have you thought about seeking careers advice so that you're not going into something you won't be able to get into? Even asking people involved in recruitment for jobs in finance.

I hope you get a career that you'll enjoy, good luck.

Reply 2

4x4

10

In the current economical climate where this is not something they see as attractive, it would be very hard to find a job in something as competitive as banking.

Reply 3

maxmadx

1

Hi Monty, sorry to hear about your circumstances.
A criminal record will hold you back further in industries like banking and accountancy because so much relies on the ethics side of things (in perception anyway).
I would say you can rule out banking and accountancy in practice- at least straight outa uni because these industries are not exactly lacking numbers of applicants either.

I read somewhere once that its possible to go back to court and appeal towards a reduction of certain convictions. Getting your degree is a great step forward, maybe at some point before you graduate that may be an option?

If you do really well in your degree, there may be the option of going to do a PHD. Getting so far in education will definately raise your credibility, particularly with your university peers- someone may have networking with local employers and depending on what your research is might help pave the way for people to look past your conviction.
I think that would be the way I would take- since the odds are definately stacked against you otherwise.

Reply 4

maxmadx

1

Just to add also that I hope you don't lose any enthusiasm for your degree in any case because of all this talk of difficulties getting a job at the end. I have loads of respect for people who can get a degree in maths, and some of the most successful people in the world suffer the biggest stumbling blocks in their early lives but come out stronger for it.

Reply 5

instigator

If I were you I just wouldn't mention it. Most places don't ask on their application forms and as the conviction is spent you could just claim you didn't know you had to write it down.

Reply 6

maxmadx

1

instigator

If I were you I just wouldn't mention it. Most places don't ask on their application forms and as the conviction is spent you could just claim you didn't know you had to write it down.

When he signs the employment contract he will be asked to disclose it. Not disclosing is probably another offence!

Reply 7

smellslikemarmite

14

You are obliged to tell any employer what your criminal convictions are, spent or otherwise.

It is up to them whether to consider this information or not.

Reply 8

sonic786a

i work in banking/accounting at the moment have done for two years.
your better off disclosing.
i did and they were ok with it. might mean that you have to try harder to work your way up
did your conviction involve any fraud???
banking doesnt like people with fraud convictions.

Reply 9

Monty8989

OP

2

sonic786a

i work in banking/accounting at the moment have done for two years.
your better off disclosing.
i did and they were ok with it. might mean that you have to try harder to work your way up
did your conviction involve any fraud???
banking doesnt like people with fraud convictions.

the conviction is for the possession of stolen monies. by doing crb checks, companies cannot find out the details of the case can they?

Reply 10

sonic786a

ive got a copy of my crb
it says what the convicition was (exactly what you were charged with) then at which court and what the sentence was and for how long whether that be fine/referral etc
the company gave me a copy of mine. they did ask me to explain them and show that i had changed but got through

Reply 11

Monty8989

OP

2

sonic786a

ive got a copy of my crb
it says what the convicition was (exactly what you were charged with) then at which court and what the sentence was and for how long whether that be fine/referral etc
the company gave me a copy of mine. they did ask me to explain them and show that i had changed but got through

hey thanks for your help.

Ive got a few questions about the crb. Did it mention your arrests and cautions as well? or just convictions?

just out of interest, what was your offence? what company do you work for and what is your job title? are u treated differently because of your conviction?

Reply 12

sonic786a

it mentioned cautions and convictions not arrests
crim damage and threats to kill
im a banking analyst
no one knows about your convictions apart from HR and the only time they look at them is when your emplyed. if you apply for higher levels they look at your file to see how good or bad you are but not the crim convictions
its easy to work your way up if you do well i have only been at my company for 2 years and worked myself up through 3 positions
i work for one of the big banks

Reply 13

Monty8989

OP

2

sonic786a

it mentioned cautions and convictions not arrests
crim damage and threats to kill
im a banking analyst
no one knows about your convictions apart from HR and the only time they look at them is when your emplyed. if you apply for higher levels they look at your file to see how good or bad you are but not the crim convictions
its easy to work your way up if you do well i have only been at my company for 2 years and worked myself up through 3 positions
i work for one of the big banks

hey, so i have an equal chance of being employed as someone without a criminal record? thank you so much for your help, you have kickstarted my motivation to get my degree. Thank you

Reply 14

Tjwrmd

1

Hi just wanted to know how things are going for you? What do you do? How hard was it finding a job

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