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

Indeed; smaller companies are willing to overlook stuff like this if they think you're good. You'll find a lot less nonsense on small teams.

This is not really true. This tells me you have not worked in or gone through the hiring process in at least the last decade for mid-level management or below?

A criminal background check has become routine and commonplace. An industry survey I saw was something like 93% of all respondents said they executed criminal checks [0].

Alot of HR people are even pulling credit reports. This requires your permission per the Fair Credit Reporting Act, of course. A criminal background check does not although it is "courteous" to provide a consent form. The legality requiring consent probably varies by state but by providing a name, address, and SSN you have probably already given implicit consent. Criminal justice records are a matter of public record. Opening sealed records, (such as divorce proceedings, convictions as a minor, etc) is something else entirely.

In some states workers have the right to request a copy of the information and the company that provided it if it is used as the basis for denial for hire or promotion. If the company uses inhouse staff to do the background check there is no such obligation; kind of a loophole if you ask me.

In the past year some clients have even asked for a drug test.

I don't mind criminal record checks. Credit reports I draw the line because it has a negative impact on my life and unless I have some fiduciary duty it is simply irrelevant. However, if I'm bankrupt, in dire financial straits, etc I could see having some hesitation in letting me run the books. Still, I quite simply will not tolerate health checks and I suggest no one reading this does either.

[0] http://www.shrm.org/research/surveyfindings/articles/pages/b...

If you are looking for employment with a company, you will face difficulties (as you describe in your post).

Is self-employment an option for you? The web is one of the most democratic professions. Produce something people want to use and they (mostly) won't care about your background. In fact you can see it here on Hacker News. People post personal or professional projects, few people care about the academic qualifications or otherwise of the posters.

You seem conscientious and determined, so don't lose those qualities. Whatever you decide, good luck :-)

I love it.

Brit-nigger in denial on God.

God says... really heal Ecuador WARRANTIES confusions admitted Example knowingly embalmed sayings Human reclaim commit spokest enquiry necessarily You_know Faithful Project's failure_is_not_an_option voyage explanatory censured benefit constellations awesome judgest lowering attended architects aught lawyers

If you deliberately conceal a criminal conviction from an employer who asks, that employer is more than "not referenceable"; they're a company who has fired you for cause. Among other things, they are now another thing you'll have to either disclose or try to conceal from future employers, many of whom will ask whether/from-where you've been fired for cause.

In extreme cases, making fraudulent bogus disclosures to employers can be actionable, if for instance your criminal status comes up on a background check for your employer's clients or business partners and damages the relationship.

Deliberately lying about this issue seems like an extremely dumb strategy.