I’m a guy who has been programming C, C++/OOP and now PHP open source for about 20 years. I currently own my own business in a non-IT field, and its been doing pretty well for the last 3 years. I am currently looking at getting back into software development for the long-term good of my growing family.
I have a long resume of very good accomplishments (IBM Advanced Technologies, TransUnion, AT&T etc) in my field, and know C/C++ like the back of my hand (my recruiter told me I had one of the highest ProveIt.com scores he has seen). I sent off resumes last week and have several recruiters already sending Authorization to Represent contracts.
Here is the problem…back in the heyday of IT madness (around 1998 or so), I got caught with a drug-possession felony (it was NOT pot or cocaine, but MDMA). I was going through a divorce and got caught up with a reckless crowd of younger women, and ended up with this charge.
Now, I am wondering if this transgression will doom me forever in IT land. It’s not something I want to lead an interview with, but at some point BG checks will be done and it’s surely better if I mention it first to eliminate the “surprise!” factor.
So what say you…can an ex-“felon” get a job in IT today, with the right skill set?? Or am I wasting my time because HR is going to bounce me no matter what?
