Pardons Canada: Getting a Job with a Criminal Record
Visitor: I have tried unsuccessfully to gain employment over this past year. Not one prospective employer will admit it, but it is because of my criminal record. I don’t know why they just don’t tell me. I have noticed that these people prefer to embarrass and humiliate me instead.
One interview I had was for a job I was told I didn’t need a CRC for, so I applied. The guy was an ex RCMP and proceeded to berate me for even looking for work. Told hiring manager people like me only learn when we are in jail, and we forget when we get out. He went on to bring up court dates where I was an eyewitness in a supreme court cases, my being sued by Student Loans, and every date I went to court for custody of my child. He just kept demanding to know what each date was about. Some reach back for me, so it took me aback. He then told the hiring manager (I could hear him on the phone) that I have no business looking for work. I need a parole officer.
Another told me to come in an hour early to be trained, so I thought I had the job. I was there the hour early. I waited until they all showed up for work. Office staff had a laugh about me at my expense in the back and finally the one who told me to show up, laughed in my face and said she sent me an email telling me not to bother, they had hired someone else. The position is still posted online.
Another told me after I had waited for an hour for the interview, that I must be some kind of stupid to wait. He told me he had more self-esteem than that, and that I should have realized no one was going to see me and I should have seen myself out.
I am six weeks from being homeless. I have no job prospects as I can tell. Since July 1 I have had 80 interviews and only 5 have called to tell me I’m not their choice, even when they say they will call. I am completely filled with suicidal thoughts, where I never have been this dark before. I have tried to go for counselling about being down, but hard when I’m told I deserve what has been happening (yes, even by the counsellor). I’m not a terrible person, I was in a terrible predicament back then, and now it has turned out so much worse than I ever could have imagined.
If it is at all possible, could you please let me know how much longer I will have to painfully wait? And is it true that after all of this, I can be rejected for the pardon, even though I have had a clean record prior to and after this incident? I need some sort of a response. I have sold everything worth anything and have nothing left to bridge the gap until employment.
Pardons Canada: I am sorry for your predicament. It is true that most employers in Canada will conduct a criminal check prior to hiring so it is getting in the way of gaining employment for many people who still have criminal records. The good news is that once the pardon is granted, then no one will see anything and you will be safe to get whatever work you wish. If you have stayed out of trouble and paid your punishment then there should be no reason why you will not get the pardon. I know its hard right now but you will get through it and before you know it your criminal record will be removed and you will have peace of mind and hopefully gain employment quickly.
Pardons Canada undertakes all necessary steps and procedures for removing your criminal record, including: Pardons/Record Suspensions, Purges, Photograph & Fingerprint Destruction, and U.S. Entry Waivers.
