(2) An employer may not advertise employment openings in a way that excludes people with criminal records from applying. This webpage contains resources for job applicants and employees with an arrest or conviction record, and employers who are considering whether to hire them.An arrest and conviction record can be a barrier to employment. Many employers conduct background checks or hire third-party vendors to do so on their behalf. To find out whether your offense will or may disqualify you from a certain type of job, you can check the Council of State Governments Map. Employers have a right to see an individual's criminal record before hiring them. However, that right has several key limitations. Under this law, public employers and private employers are prohibited from asking questions about criminal convictions on their applications. When the employer asks about criminal history: Some states or cities have policies regarding when an employer can ask about criminal records. Employers may not inquire about an applicant's criminal history until after they extend a conditional offer of employment.