How HONEST should I be when going to a job interview? I have felonies that I'm afraid to disclose?

(One was for arson ,3 for drug sales, 1 strong arm robbery, 2 gran theft, and 1 home invasion), but they were over 3 years ago. I did my time and I am trying to change, but it seems noone is willing to give me a chance. Any advice will be helpful

Just tell the interviewer you are very ambitious, and goal oriented. Go into detail about how the court system even recognizes your convictions.

Or you can say, "If I don't get this job, I'll light this place on fire after selling speed to the 3 board members who are down the hall. Then I'll take all the petty cash, steal a car, and trade cars after no more than 10 minutes of getaway driving, but head right down to your address..Just kidding. I have actually been convicted of all those things but I'm much better now. You have kids at home?"

Seriously, just be honest. Always be honest. Show remorse, and all you can do is throw it out there, and show them that you recognize that was a distant person, who you really are no longer. Part of the healing. Go through a church and ask them for help. You can even contact a paper or a TV newscrew and tell them your story, and welcome them to follow you around and interview....

If you were honest, and forthright, I'd give you a chance, assuming you were skilled for the job. One of my buddy's dads hired a murderer and he said the guy was his best employee ever.... He came in with something to prove. You have to come in with something to prove from within. It takes strength and honesty. You have to wear yourself on your sleeve, because all that has to be on the table. That's the way to rise above it.

Good luck. You really only have one clear choice. Enjoy the process and do it.

Most companies do background checks. This one is a tough one. I wonder if your parole officer could give you some advice about companies that will hire ex-cons.

I know I wouldn't hire you......

dont say anything unless they do a backround check they will never know good luck

well if you dont disclose them then you might not get the job, if you do disclose them you might not get the job!! what kind of job r u trying to get? how much have you changed? YOU have to decide bcuz its your life and only YOU can choose the best path for yourself!! Best of luck to ya.....

Just do what you have to do to get the job-as long as you aren't working with kids or in a hospital, then even if you do get caught, they will only say 'you should have said.'
And if they do sack you, at least you have a few weeks wages!

100% honest. If you are found out later, you will lose the job anyway.

You have to be honest. Chances are the employer has already done a background check, or will if he decides to hire you. If you lie about your past you can bet your employer will find out about it anyway. Bring it up yourself first. Explain you had some problems in the past. Then explain how you have changed and why you will not do anything like what you got in trouble for years ago.

Wow, talk to your parole officer, if he can help you to place you in a job. It seems like you have not learned from your first mistake and kept on going down the bad road.
I think a security guard wood be a good job for you, since you have experience in the field of robbery (I mean it and not trying to be mean). Unless you want to do those home based scam businesses and advertise for other Companies, because they don't do a back round check and you are your own boss. However, you won't be making much money. Or maybe you can volunteer in your community and once they see you how you work they might offer you a job. You need to tell them the truth, because they find out anyway. Or just find a partner and open your own business and mow lawns or work for a private constraction worker or air conditioner guy. Get a trade in plumbing and be your own boss. Your last option would be, be a volunteer for hospitals and test drugs for the FDA, before they go on the market. Hope things are looking up for you and move on with a positive and healthy outlook on life.

You are right that few employers are willing to give a 2nd chance. Nevertheless, you should make full disclosure to each prospective employer because, among other reasons, (1) felony convictions are a matter of public record, and can be found in the court house or on the Internet; (2) how will you account for the "missing" years that you were in prison; (3) lying about this on your employment application is grounds for criminal prosecution or for dismissal, based on fraud, even years afterward; and (4) if you get the job, you would always be a target for extortion.

Dont tell them if they find out later and fire you then you still dont have a job so your no worse off and at least you got some paychecks in the mean time.

We find those felonies when we do background checks. If a potential employee has lied -- we won't hire that person. We might still hire a person who has a criminal past, if that past is not too recent, if the person has made a sincere effort to reform, etc.

But lie -- you'd be out the door in a heartbeat.

Just be honest and straight forward. If the interviewer doesnt offer you the position, pul your gun on her, and steal her computer.

It they do not ask, you do not have to volunteer anything. Most places will not orally ask this question, but most places do ask it on their job application forms. The forms usually say a a conviction does not automatically preclude employment and that they will decide based on... (I forget the rest). Since you say "over 3 years ago", I assume that they are less than 4 years ago, or you woul have said "4" or "over 4". I think that most places will probably not hire someone with 8 felonies any of which are less than 4 years ago and that most places will be especially unlikely to hire an arsonist (they do not want you to burn down the workplace) or a thief (they do not want you to steal from them).

My best suggestion is to look for somewhere that does not use application forms. I think that it is more likely that they will not ask about felonies in the interview than that you will be hired after accurately listing these felonies on an application.