Job Discussion Forums

[nassarm31]

Ever try expungement.

Expungement doesn't erase the record, but you can honestly say I have never been convicted of a crime.

I had to go through a background check for my international job. I went in for a live scan. Got my letter through the department of justice and had it apostille. My friend had to do it as well. I think more teaching jobs are asking for it. You can either send in your documents or stop by their office to take care of everything.

http://apostillepros.com/

Good luck.

[fladude]

[guangho]

I think the problem you face is that many immi agencies are staffed with individuals who have limited English skills and frankly, little interest in making distinctions. Sure, you can explain that you were young and dumb and shall sin no more. And sure too, you can talk about how minor these offenses were. The problem is, you'd have to get lucky to find someone who understands and cares.

The second problem is cash: countries that offer little by way of compensation (Angola, Cambodia, China in some ways, etc) won't care as much but if you're aiming for Japan, Korea, Saudi et al, you'll have issues.

I hear you about expungement being a lot of work but may be worthwhile: not just for this, but long term as well.

Since you say you passed the bar, I wonder: did you ever work as a lawyer? If so, you must have passed the character and fitness committee right? So maybe you can put that down instead of answering the Q directly.

[fladude]

[Kaspar Hauser]

I was arrested for marijuana possesion when I was 16 and have never once admitted to this on a job application. I held a number of jobs in the Middle East and elsewhere and never had a problem.