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Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

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Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#91

Post by lordnacho »

megous wrote: post #83
huhtenberg wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yep, the main hurdle here is the need for the OP to demonstrate that they left past ethics fully and firmly behind.

Demonstrate ethics? They'd have to be hired for that, I think. Otherwise how do you demonstrate ethics to someone who doesn't know you, yet? :) Certainly not in a interview, that's just talk and smiles and promises.

All you can do is give a good talk about why you're reformed. One thing that does work for you is that firms that decide to interview you must have given it some thought already, so there's got to be a chance.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#92

Post by endorphine »

YesThatTom2 wrote: post #71

As someone who hires many people it comes down to whether or not you are humble about it. Or, to be more blunt: if you're as ass about it. Humble: "I have a bad thing on my record. I understand what I did wrong and want to move forward with my life, doing good work, and being a responsible citizen." Jerk: "I got busted but those jerks din't see that I was helping them! It was all BS, dude!" I'd gladly interview someo…

Off topic but I have to ask, sorry: Are you MySpace's Tom?

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#93

Post by denton-scratch »

yholio wrote: post #51
denton-scratch wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With blackmail and fraud convictions (and a 3-year prison sentence behind you), I would hope that nobody would give you a job with access to systems that enable you to get at personal information or money. That's their business, of course; but they'd presumably be exposed to an action for negligence if something went wrong as a result of them employing someone with that record. Blackmail and fraud are both offences t…

> presumably be exposed to an action for negligence if something went wrong as a result of them employing someone with that record. That's just the type of bullshit that makes pizza restaurants not wanting to have a person with a criminal record anywhere in the building. It's a form of vigilante punishment that continues to for the life of a felon, way past the point where their debt to society has been supposedly pa…

If you want work in computer security, then you really shouldn't have a record of fraud. If you want to make pizzas, then you're not likely to defraud anyone but your employer; so it's her lookout. A blackmail conviction is a danger to other staff; it's the employer's responsibility to protect their employees against that risk.

This guy seems to be on probation, and under supervision of SOCA - he hasn't yet completed his sentence. Are we talking USA? He's a felon, and in most US states he will never again be allowed to vote in elections.

In this country you don't have to disclose prior convictions to anyone, beyond a certain date - I think something like ten years. I agree with that. In the same way, expired convictions can't be taken into account in sentencing deliberations. I agree with that too - I do think convictions should expire. Past acts shouldn't follow you around forever. But if you're on probation now for two serious crimes, I think it's crazy to say that a prospective employer shouldn't be allowed to ask, and to rely on your answer on pain of instant dismissal.

And FWIW I don't agree with the US practice of denying felons the vote.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#96

Post by gtaylor »

3pt14159 wrote: post #59
colechristensen wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>you don't need to be the one to bring it up Yes, you do. I don't know about other countries, but everywhere in the US runs a background check. You will get a reasonable "no" rate, but telling people your situation is very much better than looking like you were hiding it when they eventually find out. OP probably would have the most success with a pen-testing firm or similar.

Nope. The only background checks I've ever had working for Americans was law enforcement / intelligence agency software (I was working for a Canadian company and they sold to them) and a contract for the Nasdaq. Other than that, it's just been straight skills and reputation. Even if it did come up he could always say that he assumed they would ask for a background check if they cared about this type of thing. Just le…

I've seen background checks at most of the mid-to-large sized tech companies I've worked at.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#97

Post by dk79XuL9 »

Terry_Roll wrote: post #95

What was your motive?

My first offence occurred when I was 13 years old. I'd chalk it up to inexperience and a lack of ability to anticipate the consequences of my actions. I was really self-absorbed. I'm not the same person I was back then. It has almost been a decade.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#98

Post by tcgv »

syshum wrote: post #75
tcgv wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see your point, and I'm in favor of inclusion in the workplace, but it's not all black and white. Would you allow a convicted sexual offender who did his time in jail take care of your child in a day care facility to which he got employed and didn't disclose his past conviction? Things need to be put into perspective, and evaluated carefully. With that said I don't think immediate termination was the right decision…

>>>Things need to be put into perspective, and evaluated carefully. And leading with hyperbolic "Think of the children" hand waving pearl clutching does nothing to put "things into perspective" In the context of this thread we are talking about someone convicted of hacking wanting to work in IT again, not a child molester wanting to babysit your child. So yes lets keep things in perspective shall we?

You're right. I'm sorry if I was disrespectful with the participants in the discussion and the OP, that wasn't my intetion. It's indeed a completely different situation.

Re: Ask HN: Recent computer hacking convictions and employability?

#99

Post by btilly »

tcgv wrote: post #52
notch656a wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Sounds like place he was at accepted him just fine until dumb bitch ratted him out for something that happened outside of work. Dude got a good run at least. Not lying about convictions sounds great from the pious ivory tower or from seasoned professionals who may have enough experience that others are able to look beyond their past. Dude already did his time, in my book the conviction doesn't exist anymore. My hones…

I see your point, and I'm in favor of inclusion in the workplace, but it's not all black and white. Would you allow a convicted sexual offender who did his time in jail take care of your child in a day care facility to which he got employed and didn't disclose his past conviction? Things need to be put into perspective, and evaluated carefully. With that said I don't think immediate termination was the right decision…

Are you aware that an estimated 1/4 of all registered sex offenders were themselves minors when they committed their offense? And age 14 is the single year that you're most likely to become a registered sex offender?

I fully understand and appreciate the purpose of our laws. The practice, however, is a different story. And unless we stop including as crimes things that I'm not willing to consider crimes, I can't support the way that "registered sex offender" is routinely used to destroy lives over childhood mistakes.

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