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I lied on a job application and am now so regretting it!?

I was convicted of a felony almost 8 years ago, it was drug related. I have always been truthful on job applications about my conviction, and have also not recieved any calls from hopeful employers. A friend of mine said that background checks only go back 7 years, so I just shouldn't put it down. Well, I marked the "Have you ever been convicted of a felony?" box NO on the last application I filled out (at a company I would love to work for) I am now getting ready to go to my interview and want to tell them the truth. I regret marking that box NO so bad! Should I just come clean first thing at the interview? PLEASE no put downs about the felony, if I could go back and change it I would, but that just isn't an option.

7 Answers

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  • 1 decade ago
    Favourite answer

    Background checks go back forever.

    Your friend was confused because the box usually says "have you been convicted of a felony in the last 7 years?"

    Be honest and come clean in the interview. Say you thought it meant in the past 7 years.

    Explain you were young and stupid, got mixed up with a bunch of losers but have turned your life around and would have no problem taking a drug test to prove it.

  • 1 decade ago

    I suggest that you mention to the job interviewer just what you had said here. Then come clean on what your felony was and how you very much regret making such a big mistake in your life and that you have been clean since (no more drugs if it is true - and I hope for your own sake). Employers will hire ex-felons, especially if they are sincere and show remorse for what they have done (rather than for being caught). You seem to have exhibit this and it will show in your interview.

    Good luck!

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Well you should read more on it the back check only goes back to 7 years but I think they look more further into that but I could be wrong. It's a hard decision... like I say, find out from another source on how far the background check goes and if it's only 7 years and you say you had that felony was 8 years ago then your safe. Don't tell them anything...

  • 1 decade ago

    i would not tell them the truth now. i have been in many jobs and most of us lie something about our lives. i would just go to the interview and do my best, but i would definitely not tell the truth on this one. i hope you get the job and just work hard and stay out of office politics. trust no one but yourself . i am saying this because of personal experience somewhat. unless you have killed someone, then i do not personally have a problem with it. you have learned your lesson and trying to turn your life around. i will support you. no one is perfect in this world. the reason that some people have good record, i think it is because they have not got caught doing it. i guess kinda like driving, i mean how many times do you speed ? i wish you best of luck.

  • kapn
    Lv 7
    1 decade ago

    You lied......if your hired you will be fired.....this will follow you to you next application for employment......if they offer you the job you will always be looking over your shoulder...I know it extremely difficult to get a good job with a felony on your record you have two choices.........fess up and feel good about yourself even if you don't get the job........leave it as it is and look over you shoulder every day.......up to you....

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    Sorry but you are SOL.

    They will find out eventualy and even if they hire you before they find out, you'll get fired more for lying than for the felony.

    Source(s): I just had a tenant do the same thing and he got fired as soon as they found out and had to move.
  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    telling the truth in job interviews gets you f.u.c.k.e.d. This is why I never get a job I want to do. It is 100 times better to lie if you can get the job. "The end justifies the means"

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