Interview number 50!

Scuffer

I just had a phone call from the store manager at my local debenhams asking me to come for an interview tomorrow. The position is for brands specialist and i really want this job. They are aware i have a criminal record because it was asked on the application form but not aware i'm fresh from prison. Can someone give me some tips on how to put this across to the interviewer without me putting my foot in it?

I am now feeling really nervous about this interview because i really want this job and have experience from working in the house of frazer when i was at uni and also from working in my mothers designer boutique store since the age of 13. The only problem now is i put her as a reference and she isn't speaking to me and probably wont give me a reference

[Deleted User]

How about only mentioning if it comes up? just concentrate on your work experience, did you get any training on the inside? can you not make something like that a focus point


Feel your pain really do xx and Good Luck : )

Scuffer

Deleted%20User wrote: »

How about only mentioning if it comes up? just concentrate on your work experience, did you get any training on the inside? can you not make something like that a focus point


Feel your pain really do xx and Good Luck : )

I have completed the house of frazer vision and values training and i would think debenhams have something similar but if the question is asked i dont know how to deal with it. My experience without being a convict would put me as a strong contender, but with it i'm not sure.

Claree__x

Well they know you have a conviction and a recent gap on your cv so they may have already put two and two together and are okay with it x

iclayt

"Are you able to explain the two year gap in your work history?"

"Yes. As you can see on my application form, I have declared a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, I made a silly mistake a few years ago, and I have been serving time in prison. I sincerely regret my actions, which were completely unrelated to anything involving an employer and the kind of job I'm applying for today. I used the time to focus on completing a qualification, and to focus on what I want in the future, which is to work hard, take advantage of the right opportunities, and have a new start".

Scuffer

iclayt wrote: »

"Are you able to explain the two year gap in your work history?"

"Yes. As you can see on my application form, I have declared a criminal conviction. Unfortunately, I made a silly mistake a few years ago, and I have been serving time in prison. I sincerely regret my actions, which were completely unrelated to anything involving an employer and the kind of job I'm applying for today. I used the time to focus on completing a qualification, and to focus on what I want in the future, which is to work hard, take advantage of the right opportunities, and have a new start".

Amazing! This is better than anything i've said before. 1 thing do i have to explain my mistake in detail?

Claree__x

I wouldn't think so but maybe you should to avoid them thinking it was worse than what it actually was?

Scuffer

Claree__x wrote: »

I wouldn't think so but maybe you should to avoid them thinking it was worse than what it actually was?

4 counts of possession with intent to supply makes me look like a big time drug dealer and trying to soften this is why i'm failing i feel. How would you play this down to look less worse?

Claree__x

Scuffer wrote: »

4 counts of possession with intent to supply makes me look like a big time drug dealer and trying to soften this is why i'm failing i feel. How would you play this down to look less worse?

It's still better than murder though

I'd maybe just say 'on a drugs charge' or 'for drugs at a festival' or something? I'm not sure, someone more eloquent than me will be along soon though!

Scuffer

Claree__x wrote: »

It's still better than murder though

I'd maybe just say 'on a drugs charge' or 'for drugs at a festival' or something? I'm not sure, someone more eloquent than me will be along soon though!

Thanks for trying to help. You can kind of see why i'm struggling because this question answered wrong is the interview over.

tomterm8

Well, all you can do is answer the question honestly.

Have you considered applying for restaurant / kitchen porter positions? I doubt time in prison would be anywhere near as much of an issue for that kind of job compared to a retail position where you are handling money.

They probably won't even ask if you've done time in prison.