If you are among the estimated one in four Americans with a criminal record, you might face an uphill battle in your job search. Surveys show that a majority of employers (92%) perform criminal background checks when hiring for at least some positions. If a prospective employer finds out that you have an arrest or conviction record, you might find it difficult tocompete, especially in today’s tight job market. Job seekers with criminal records have some legal rights. Federal and state laws place some limits on how employers can use these records in making job decisions. California has a number of legal protections in place for job seekers and places more restrictions on employers than many others. There are also two federal laws that protect applicants with criminal records, at least in some situations: The FCRA and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

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