I have a drugs conviction, will this prevent me from working in the IT industry?

Hi,

I have never been a drug user or dealer, in fact have never been involved in drugs and made a very stupid mistake one day. I was at the wrong place at the wrong time and gave a friend of a friend a lift who happened to be carrying drugs on him and therefore I got charged with being concerned in the supply. I have since started university and am studying business information technology and I am very worried if this is going to be a waste of time. I am a hard worker and get good grades and should am aiming for a 2:1. I also worked in the finance industry for three years before my conviction and was a a fund dealer and worked on customer services. I am currently trying to secure a work placement as part of my degree and am worried my conviction, although harsh, is going to prevent me from finishing. I would appreciate no rude comments please.

PS If anyone knows of any IT or business companies that would allow me to work for them in the UK I would be very pleased to find out. Thanks

I work for a global software vendor, and I can tell you for a fact that as part of the application process, they do not ask you whether you have any convictions or not. If you don't voluntarily mention it, then they will never find out about it.

The only thing is, if you served a prison sentence then you would have a gap on your CV which you need to explain, and I would suggest that you are 100% truthful.

If not, then I would think that the only time that you're likely to find your conviction a problem is if you're applying to work in the public sector, where you probably will need to undergo a full background check before you can be hired. But that said, this just means that they will find out about it, not that they will subsequently refuse to hire you.

To be very honest, it is going to be hard, but I know you will find a company that will give you a chance. It may take sometime to find one, but there are companies out there that are willing to give ex-offenders a chance.

Just remember, if they do not ask about it, DO NOT say anything!

Most people have a skeleton in their cupboard. Yours is just a stupid mistake and it wouldn't go against you.

Theyre all druggies in IT, mate. I shouldn't worry about it. I may not even declare it.

not really but u would have to work hard to gain trust