Handling the job-hunting process after a DWI in New York

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Receiving a DWI is a charge associated with several severe penalties. According to the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, drivers found operating a vehicle with a blood alcohol content level at or above 0.08 may be required to spend time in jail, pay fines and lose their driving privileges. In addition to these legal and financial consequences, a DWI record can also make it harder for a person to find a job.

Today’s tough job market

Today, finding employment is more difficult than ever before. According to Forbes, ten years ago, a job applicant who submitted their resume to 300 different places would receive approximately 30 callbacks for an interview. Today, a person who submitted 300 resumes would only receive three calls from potential employers.

Not only is it difficult to receive a request for an interview, but background checks may make it harder for those with a DWI to find employment because of this charge showing up on their record. The Society for Human Resources Management states that approximately 96 percent of human resources departments will perform background checks on job applicants.

Interview guidelines

Although finding a job after receiving a DWI may cause an elevated level of difficulty for those looking for employment, it is not impossible. Those searching for a job should keep in mind that even some of history’s most prominent figures have also been charged for drinking and driving. For example, according to Bloomberg Businessweek, the former president George W. Bush pleaded guilty to driving intoxicated in 1976.

There are several tactics those looking for a job after a DWI conviction can use during the interview process. Some of these strategies include:

• Being truthful. Applicants should refrain from lying about their previous DWI charge if a potential employer asks. However, if the interviewer does not ask about the charge, applicants do not need to offer this information voluntarily.
• Explaining the situation correctly. Job applicants who are asked about their DWI record by an interviewer should keep their explanation short and use it as an opportunity to focus on what they learned from the charge. For example, an applicant may explain how the charge prompted them to go back to school or get more involved in their local community.
• Not dwelling on the subject. A job interview should give applicants the chance to explain to the interviewer what they can do for the company, not their previous indiscretions.

Those who were given a DWI arrest may benefit from speaking with an attorney who can provide them with more information about how to recover from this charge. If you were recently charged with a DWI, speak to an attorney who can help you understand what your rights are at this time.