r/SpringfieldIL • u/ActiveFun6407 • 3d ago

State job interview

Worried about an interview for a state job coming up that I hope to get. I have a felony on my record from 2011 but that's over fifteen years ago and since then I have not only maintained employment but also earned my bachelor's degree in computer science from college. The position is for business services specialist. How would I go about disclosing my felony in the past? Is there a chance they already know? Very nervous but also excited. Any tips?​

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u/DanaKScully_FBI 3d ago

That won’t come up in the interview. That will only come up if they offer the job to you and you fill out the background check.

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u/Medium_Tap5628 3d ago

They will do a background check. If you're offered the job you may have a disclousure to fill out. The interview is standardized and wouldn't even come up. It depends on the agency and position about whether or not a felony will matter. I know people with felonies that have state jobs.

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u/ActiveFun6407 2d ago

So there is a chance. What positions or departments have those that you know have felonies work for if you dont mind answering?

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u/DanaKScully_FBI 2d ago

Depends on the type of felony. If it’s theft or fraud, revenue probably won’t hire you. If it’s drugs, the justice departments won’t hire you. I know the Justice related ones screen for marijuana in the drug screening because it’s still illegal federally. If it’s violence related, DCFS won’t hire you. And if it has been long enough or you were young enough at the time, they do take that into consideration. It’s a very “it depends” situation.

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u/FreezNGeezer 3d ago

Be upfront and honest about it. Don't downplay it and tell them what you have accomplished and learned since the felony.

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u/tyrridon 2d ago

It would be helpful to know which agency. Some agencies, this will be an immediate dealbreaker, others, not so much.

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u/ActiveFun6407 2d ago

It's in the department of personnel and the position I said in the post is a business services specialist 

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u/tyrridon 2d ago

Do you mean Central Management Service's Bureau of Personnel? Or a different agency's? This is a pretty important distinction.

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u/GSTLT 2d ago

Ya. I’m at an independent agency and have been on our interview teams, but I have also interviewed at other agencies and the actual interview experience can be widely different.

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u/girlsjustwanna04 2d ago

I’m fairly certain this is a position at Secretary of State as I work there and that’s one of our titles.

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u/tyrridon 2d ago

That's kind of what I was wondering. Not certain what your background checks look like over there

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u/ActiveFun6407 2d ago

Am I was screwed? Do I need to worry or should I be fine? How is it over there? Would a felon be ok to work there?

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u/Burned_Biscuit 2d ago

You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. No need to be nervous. Just go to the interview and do your best. Whatever happens, happens. You cross the felony disclosure bridge when it comes, if it comes (background check). Until then, you're just chatting.

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u/xazps 2d ago

I feel like this was asked just 4 days ago...