Expungement of Criminal Conviction May Help Job Seekers
In this economic downturn, jobs seekers in North Jersey may spend a lot of time adjusting their resumes or working on their interview skills. But a job applicant whose record turns up a criminal conviction -- even a minor one -- may start out at a disadvantage when competing in a tough job market.
With unemployment soaring, jobs that are hard to come by, and more companies performing background checks than ever before,many are looking to expunge their records or set aside convictions. Even those who have jobs may consider expunging past convictions now. Waiting until the next job search could mean lost time.
Depending on a person's background, the Court may expunge a conviction, erasing it from that person's record. The process involves petitioning the Court in the county where the offense took place. Several factors affect whether a person is eligible for expungment, including the nature of the crime and the length of time since the last offense.
For those who are being weighed down by mistakes in their past, expungement offers the opportunity to make a fresh start. And in a job market as competitive as this one, erasing a conviction could be a big step toward finding employment.
