I can't even get a job at Best Buy because of a misdemeanor! Where the hell can I work??
I was in a fight 3 years ago…I was convicted of a Felon for 2.5 years..but now the Felony has been reduced to a misdemeanor. I’ve been offered around a dozen jobs in the last year but they are all retracted after my background check comes back. The latest was Best Buy! Even though I have worked for them for 2 years as a seasonal employee…they still retracted my offer because of this misdemeanor. One problem is the Minnesota statute my fight fell under was "Burglary" — even though it was not a theft related crime by any means. But if you are on someone’s property when you beat them up, it falls under "Burglary" in Minnesota.
So here’s my questions: Can I get this expunged? I’ve been told they usually only expunge drug related crimes?? In pretty much any other state it would be assault, and I could work at Best Buy? What industries are the least likely to run background checks?
Also, if I had a DUI that would be a Gross Misdemeanor – but that would be no big deal?
Thanks!
9 Responses
_DestroyingAngel
25 Apr 2010
avhac
25 Apr 2010
ever think about construction? find a trade.
goddess
25 Apr 2010
Giant
chulita
25 Apr 2010
Work at a hotel or restaurant. As a server you would make way more money then for min. wage at best buy! They never do back ground checks although if it asks on the application you must be honest. If they find out – they will fire you.
Joey K
25 Apr 2010
Well, are you lying on the applications? Do you tell the truth, and they STILL reject you? I have a bad temper, I guess I’ll never get in a fight now that I’ve read this.
Hey, dude, can you be self employed? That’s what I do I make way more than any store could pay me.
jasonheavilin
25 Apr 2010
Anything can get expunged, but it may take a very long time. Also background checks are not by industry, but by employer. If the employer wants to do a check he can.
Sam
25 Apr 2010
The fact that it is listed as burglary is what is keeping you from getting these jobs, as you have noticed. Unfortunately, there is no place to explain on the sheets.
Places that may still hire you:
~Places that don’t make huge amounts of money (i.e. small bookstores)
~Places that don’t have expensive merchandise (i.e. party supply stores)
~Restaurants–not REALLY fancy ones, but Applebees level ones
~Fast food, of course.
Hope that helped some. Good luck!
Jen J
25 Apr 2010
I suggest coming clean with any potential employers, so there aren’t any surprises on your check… they know ahead of time and you have a chance to explain the situation BEFORE they can reject you.
alighier
25 Apr 2010
The problem you’re having may be that the background check companies haven’t changed your report from a felony to a misdemeanor. Those companies tend to batch update infrequently. Not sure what you can do about it, since I’m not a convicted felon like you, but likely there’s a way to notify them of your change in status.
i have a felony too…. its really really tough finding a job, but try looking for places that dont really care…. or dont check your background….. like warehouse or production line jobs. They make about 10 – 15 an hour if you find a good one. Go to Jobbing.com it will help!! p.s. when they ask you on your application if you have a felony or misdemenor dont tell them…. if they check then you dont have the job… if they dont than you do!! yanno???? good luck