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Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

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Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#41

Post by michaelochurch »

JDGM wrote: post #35
osteele wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you hide it you risk being discharged a month, a year, or five years from now when your employer finds out, and then they aren't referenceable. If I were hiring for a security-related job, I'd consider the poster if he not only disclosed the conviction, but also contextualized it on his cover letter the way that he did in the pastebin, and if he provided some character witnesses (teachers, employers).

"If you hide it you risk being discharged a month, a year, or five years from now when your employer finds out, and then they aren't referenceable." This, this, a million times this. It's not even losing the job that would be the worst for me, it would be the paranoia of turning up to work every day thinking "Did they find out about that thing now? Are they considering firing me or did they decide it didn't matter? A…

There's a Calvin & Hobbes strip where Calvin breaks his dad's binoculars and is certain at the dinner table that night that his father knows. The anxiety gets to Calvin so much that after about 30 seconds (this is Calvin, remember) he breaks down and confesses. That would so be me in an employment situation where there was something I hadn't disclosed which could lead to dismissal.

Everything you have said on the Internet, ever, "could lead to dismissal". It's a risky world. You just gotta make the best decision you can at each point in time.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#42

Post by felonyquestions »

auctiontheory wrote: post #8
avar wrote: post #5

Well, you don't have to lie on your resume or on your interview but have you considered just not mentioning it? Unless you're applying for certain types of jobs they're not going to do a background check on you, and you're unlikely to be under any obligation to disclose that you were convicted of computer fraud if you're applying for a computer related job. Also, think about taking jobs in countries that aren't the U…

The US generally won't issue passports to convicted felons. (That's the Google consensus, anyway.)

I've got a passport, and have never run into any issues.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#43

Post by niggler »

felonyquestions wrote: post #40

Hi, I've had a felony for over 8 years now, and have been working as a developer almost the entire time. I've only been asked to disclose that information once, and I did. While the company had questions, they didn't seem to care very much (note: I don't recommend telling anyone. If you're a great employee and a mistake from your youth discounts you from a job, it's a lose-lose. But I did tell, so... ). College? They…

"* And please email me, seriously, if _anyone_ has questions."

You should provide your email address.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#44

Post by largesse »

sethrin wrote: post #36
auctiontheory wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The US generally won't issue passports to convicted felons. (That's the Google consensus, anyway.)

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) may deny your passport application or renewal for a number of reasons, including if you: Are in default on a repatriation or medical assistance loan Are behind on child support payments Are subject of certain court orders or a foreign extradition request Were committed to a mental institution, or legally declared incompetent by a court Were subject to a previous denial or revocation…

I wonder.. technically, not having a passport doesn't prevent you from leaving the country. You can get in a boat and take off. Leaving by plane is difficult, as well as legally entering another country.

Is it actually illegal to reenter the US as a citizen without a US passport? I would hope that as a US citizen you have a right to entry and visiting a US Consulate in another country would start the process regardless of whether you are a felon.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#45

Post by felonyquestions »

frostmatthew wrote: post #13

Perhaps you should consider applying for positions where the skills that got you in trouble would be an asset, i.e. penetration testing, security research/consulting

I found that this field has changed significantly in the past 15 years. I got my first job through getting caught hacking in high school. But today, there are so many more applicants who are qualified, and they are coming right out of college, that the pool is large enough where the government can enforce restrictions.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#47

Post by felonyquestions »

niggler wrote: post #43
felonyquestions wrote: post #40

Hi, I've had a felony for over 8 years now, and have been working as a developer almost the entire time. I've only been asked to disclose that information once, and I did. While the company had questions, they didn't seem to care very much (note: I don't recommend telling anyone. If you're a great employee and a mistake from your youth discounts you from a job, it's a lose-lose. But I did tell, so... ). College? They…

"* And please email me, seriously, if _anyone_ has questions." You should provide your email address.

Attention to detail has never been my strong suite ;)

felonyquestions@hush.ai

Sign up anonymously, I'm certianly hiding behind this account as well.

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#49

Post by Nutella4 »

One thing you said is "I don't actively engage in or create any new projects outside of classwork and giving advice to other developers. I am kind-of stagnant and it is depressing."

Change that. Write some new and useful things, publish the code on GitHub, and run them on one of the free/cheap hosting services.

That's part of your problem: No recent achievements. Create some!

Re: Ask HN: Overcomming a federal conviction (computer fraud) for decent job?

#50

Post by tonywebster »

I've worked for several startups in the Bay Area, and only one did anything resembling a background check. Although they wouldn't have found anything, I think something bad in my past I'm long removed from wouldn't have been a barrier. Most small company and startup jobs are founded on relationships rather than forms and policies, which is the way it should be.

If your personality, character, ambition, shared vision, portfolio or code samples, work history, or profile in the developer / startup community is well-known, I think your conviction not only wouldn't be insurmountable, I don't even think it would be a blip on the radar. If it ever was, it might even make you cool with the right founders/team.

That said, when the company you're working for gets big, you will have already likely signed something giving them blanket permission to look into you, and during an investor or acquirer's due diligence, I guess it's possible it could come up... which would suck if it's right before an equity cliff or something.

Another idea: I've also done 1099 contract work for big health insurance companies as a contract developer. Salaried employees had multiple background and credit checks because they were working with HIPAA Protected Health Information... so was I, but I not only made more money than the salaried employees, I didn't do an application, interview, background check, etc.

I think 95% of it is your attitude going in. In your head, you're probably thinking that felony convictions are the only thing on the potential employer's mind, so you're self-conscious about it. Find the right type of employer, concentrate on the relationship and the opportunity together, and it shouldn't be a concern at all. (IANAL, TINLA)

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