I am applying for a job in a call centre for a well known transport company. This is a simple helpdesk job. There's no mention of CRB or DBS in the job description and it is definitely not a job that involves working with minors or vulnerable people. Almost at the end of a very long online application I get asked: "Do you have any cautions or criminal convictions?" There is no mention of whether they are spent or unspent. I do have a caution and a minor conviction (paid with a fine) circa 20 years ago, and that is definitely spent. There is no way to call the HR or personnel dept by phone or email. I am tempted to say "No" and then explain this at an eventual interview, but I fear they could use this against me later in case they meant asking for spent convictions. How should I behave in this case?

I had an interview under caution 6 weeks ago. It was nothing like I was expecting. The lady who interviewed me was so kind and patient. I didn't get a solicitor in the end as I figured I didn't need to pay someone to tell them what I could tell them myself and I wasn't denying any of it so I didn't need defending. The lovely investigator even phoned me afterwards to ask how I was. I was quite sure I might not have even made it to the IUC (I kept delaying it while I waited for my special goodies to arrive ) or that if I did make it (just to at least explain myself) that I would have to 'end it' before court I gave most of my stuff to charity. Ah well at least my flat looks nice and tidy. I got a phone call yesterday from the investigator asking me to get a letter from my doctor, just a short one confirming a particular period off ill health. They already have some medical evidence anyway but just want a short Dr letter to add to it. Apparently if I get this I will receive a caution instead as she said a prosecution would not be in the public interest. I have made an appointment to see the Dr next week I am starting to wind myself up incase he is awkward about it, or what if he refuses or messes it up? Has anyone else had to do this and is it a straight forward process. I'm stressing about everything that can go wrong now that it seems so close to being over.