Can't get a job anywhere, even fast food, somebody please help!?

Question

When I was 18 I shoplifted a rental game and got charged 500 dollars, so they labeled it a felony, eventhough it was a $50 game. I have tried to get a job everywhere, fast food, warehousing, stocking, etc. but nobody will even give me a chance. That incident was 4 years ago, anybody have ANY suggestions?? I have 30 days starting tomorrow to get something, otherwise I will be living in my car :(. If there is any LEGIT stay-at-home jobs, I would love to hear about it, but I don't have much time to mess around with them. Thank you for your time guys.

When I was 18 I shoplifted a rental game and got charged 500 dollars, so they labeled it a felony, eventhough it was a $50 game. I have tried to get a job everywhere, fast food, warehousing, stocking, etc. but nobody will even give me a chance. That incident was 4 years ago, anybody have ANY suggestions?? I have 30 days starting tomorrow to get something, otherwise I will be living in my car :(. If there is any LEGIT stay-at-home jobs, I would love to hear about it, but I don't have much time to mess around with them. Thank you for your time guys. (I would just like to add for RatRacer that I live in burnsville, MN, I always dress nicely for interviews, and I would KILL for a general labor job :D )

Answer 1

I have moved several times, changed jobs very often and have a hard time getting along with co-workers - I work in sales so there is a lot of confrontation and lying that I don't put up with. However, I can think of just a few jobs that I applied for which I didn't get - in any field I was even somewhat qualified for and many I wasn't so, listen up.

Are you dressing professionally when going in? I think you are a male so, are you wearing slacks, not jeans, not tennis shoes, a nice shirt, etc? Are you and everything about you clean and groomed to a fault no matter the position you're applying for?

Are you smiling, confident and open to talking about the problems you've had in the past when prompted? Are you willing to ask for the job directly and let the employer know how much you 'need' to work 'there'?

Before you go in, do you review the reasons why you would fit in, be able to do a good job for them and are you prepared to express those reasons with confidence? Do you look the interviewer in the eye as an equal and portray yourself to be the type of person they can communicate with?

Never, ever let your gaze fix on the floor when in the presence of a prospective employer! You have to appear alert, with it, on top of it and comfortable in your surroundings as much as possible. Nervousness is okay but, apathy and lack of energy will never get you a job.

If you've no experience directly, do you bring up your knowledge of others that have worked in like jobs so that you sound like you have 'some' background and knowledge of what is required?

Do you ask if you can take the application home, so you can think it over carefully, make sure there are no mistakes and that it is easily readable before turning it in? Always ask for two applications. Fill the first one out and then, copy to the next one making sure the second one is error free.

Do you have a resume? If you can't do one yourself, go to a community job counseling office and have them help you with one. They will have suggestions for you, also.

The truth is that when you are interviewing for a position, filling out an application or, making a resume, you have to customize it to each employer and their needs. Think of it as though you are on a stage, part of a play and you are playing the part of the perfect candidate. Don't openly lie but, tweak, slant and 'sell' your story and yourself - with each employers needs and environment in mind.

Always, always think of each and every interview and application process as a learning experience so that if you don't get the job, you will be more relaxed and confident the next time. You mustn't feel you aren't gaining anything if you don't get the job because you are gaining experience with handling interviews and just this knowledge should build you up - if you look at it that way. The next time you will do better and the next time and the next.

Review each and every interview repeatedly in your mind. What went well? What did not?

Follow up with the employer within 24 hours of the interview, preferably by the end of the day. You can do this by phone, by walking in a thank you for considering me letter, by faxing it or, by email. - Whatever suits your personality, but do it. Show tenacity.

You are obviously intelligent, able to formulate your thoughts and well written. Have you considered low level sales? Most car lots will hire anyone with the qualities I described above. Have you thought about that?

Don't cut yourself short or limit your capabilities. Why are you messing around with fast food jobs? Think about what you really want to do so, when you go into an interview you can sincerely say, I really 'want' to work here. Clean yourself up, brush up your presentation and confidence up and go for what you want.

Believe me, I'm a real bumbler. A real klutz.

So, I know you can get a job, unless you allow your past experiences to convince you otherwise.

Good luck!

Also, this always works for me.... pick up the phone book and go through every category of job you think you might possibly fit into. Call them all, telling them that you want to work for them and asking if they have openings. Unless you are looking at the restaurant industry which oftentimes won't give info over the phone - they want you to come in - you will probably come up with some fresh leads on jobs that aren't 'advertised'. Don't get discouraged if you don't hit upon anything right away - just keep calling..........

Answer 2

In order to offer help you need to give some details.
1 area you are in city urban or rural
2 location
3 any skills
4 are you willing to work out side and get really dirty
5 religious affiliation
6 are you clean cut or do you look as if you would stick to a magnet
7. did you go properly dressed to a interview

I know some of the above seems harsh to a group of folks but as a business man and employer of over 20 laborers I consider # 2 ,,4,6 and 7 very seriously
Please add details I or someone may have a answer for you.

Answer 3

Well, if you're in such a case, the Army may have a good chance of helping you out as they're in dire need of more enlistees with the war going the way it is.

Answer 4

Maybe you should of thought about that before you did such a stupid thing. As you probably see that 50.00 dollars is going to cost you alot more for the rest of your life. But sorry I don't have any suggestions since most jobs out there you will either be around money or working with peoples personal information like credit cards.

Answer 5

How about you don't tell the employers about that incident during interview?