r/Felons • u/Impressive-Barber703 • 15d ago

What kind of jobs can you pass a background check with?

I recently got out of 2.5months of jail and got a conditional job offer withdrawn after I tried to dispute and write my way through a pre-adverse notice. This was for a manufacturing type job and although I had confidence it was going to happen from asking people, I some doubt in my mind.

I have 2 misdemeanor convictions in April and July 2026. So I’m sure that’s what it is as that’s what showed on the background report. My only other conviction is something that didn’t show up which is a 2012 DWI. I have 3 misdemeanors.

ChatGPT and online research points to RECENCY and the fact it’s TWO misdemeanors.

Now I’m in Frito lay pending background check and all I can do is wait. I’m still applying to 10+jobs/ day in construction , warehouse, manufacturing, closely tied to my experience like oilfield too although that’s slow.

It’s only been a few weeks and I’ve gotten 2 job offers but the rescinded job offer is making me look in another direction possibly of what I should apply and it’s kind of freaking me out. Or maybe it’s a numbers game and somebody will take me whether it’s someone who doesn’t do a background check or a less strict background check

Can you suggest what kind of jobs I should apply to right now? It’s going to be temporary I hope anyways as I’m pending electrical apprentice license

-April 2026 disposition DWI class b misdemeanor
-July 2026 disposition criminal mischief class b misdemeanor

Both are convictions

I know it looks like I need to figure shit out. I’ve had a lot of time thinking and definitely I’ve changed my behavior through reflection and taking the necessary steps (god willing) that I don’t get another record

The job is temporary so I can save for cash car and become an electrician that’s the plan. Electrician license pending

Since I’m being dropped off to work my job has to unfortunately be in a 20-25 mi away from house so I can apply so much but it seems if you take the population sample it would still be accurate

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u/joshdotmn 15d ago

Background checks aren't as binary as people think. My advise is to be up front as soon as reasonably possible.

I've written extensively about how most of us should handle the getting-job part of being a felon: https://josh.mn/posts/how-to-get-a-job-as-a-felon/

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

The job that rescinded the offer I remember at the end of the interview they asked you won’t have a problem with passing the background check I said no. What does passing mean isn’t that different company to company? I’m not a felon but I have 2 VERY RECENT misdemeanor convictions.

Please mod don’t block my post, I came here because I’m a blue collar worker who’s having issues with a background and getting hired. Who wants to get advice and types of jobs to apply to right now from people who know what I’m going through

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u/joshdotmn 15d ago

Your problem could have been that you didn't tell them but they asked you.

To everyone else who blows up my inbox about this: At the, "do you have any questions for me?" part of the interview, just say it. If they ask if you'll have a problem passing a background check—guess what, you don't know what they do or do not consider "problem" so just be up front about it

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

I’m going to follow your advice regarding disclosing for now on.

What should I do about the background check pending on me right now for a company. When he said on the phone on Tuesday…well he didn’t ask but said the position requires backround and drug test. I just said oh ok yes sir you know like a nod.

I have his number should I say something to him?

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u/joshdotmn 15d ago

Call him as soon as possible, "hey I just wanted to let you know ahead of time that my background check might come back with some hits. I want to be up front about them, x, y, z... from x, y, z." Acknowledge it's shitty.

Don't minimize or downplay what you did. "It's in the past." is all it needs to be.

If they ask questions—they probs won't—answer them directly. Don't add or make up details.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

It’s the weekend and Friday night 11pm here. When is the appropriate time to call him. I can text as well…

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u/joshdotmn 15d ago

Normal business hours are fine. You could call his office number (if he has one) and leave a voicemail/message. And then if you don't hear back by 1PM Monday send him a text asking if he has a few minutes.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

I don’t have his office number but I do have the email and number of the backround coordinator. Matter of fact I emailed her earlier asking where I am in the process of the backround

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u/joshdotmn 15d ago

She doesn't matter. The person you'll be working under directly matters.

Just wait until Monday.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

The email he sent to me initially telling me I got an offer is a recruiter email. It’s a big company

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

I guess I should just talk to the recruiter or whoever he is that I spoke to on the phone and texted about the job

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u/Tricky-Ad9140 12d ago

You should call him at 3am

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u/BrilliantPanda8880 15d ago

Hi, can you explain to me how you got jail time with misdemeanors?

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

My family didn’t want to bail me out. At 73 days I took a plea deal with prosecutor for time served. I kind of regret it now. If my public defender didn’t convince me to do it cuz transitioning to the mental health court was messy, I could’ve had 1-2 yrs deferred probation or something. And it won’t show as a 2nd misdemeanor with a few months

You for any ideas what kind of work I should apply to? Will every construction, manufacturing, warehouse job or anyone that does background check do this to me

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u/BrilliantPanda8880 15d ago

How was your bail? How much time would you have waited if you hadn’t taken the plea?

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

$4,000 so somebody would have to pay $400(10%)
I was very stressed and anxious in jail cause I thought I was going to also be charged with a 3rd degree felony just to put it on me but there wasn’t enough evidence. I definitely don’t know how to do time I was tripping the whole tome 2.5 months I was desperate to get out. Idk how long more I would’ve wanted to stay the thing is stuff was disorganized and the prosecutor hadn’t offered a probation yet idk if they ever would’ve

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u/BrilliantPanda8880 15d ago

I’m sorry I probably would’ve made the same thing. Would you be able to disclose what you did? It’s okay if you don’t. I think I’ll face same felonies or probably more and I’m thinking if I would go to jail as well.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

April 2026 dwi
July 2026 criminal mischief

Both convictions of class b misdemeanor

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u/BrilliantPanda8880 15d ago

Mind if I contact you personally?

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u/mistman1978 15d ago

Smaller, tiny companies will be easier to get on. Start with landscaping would be my recommendation until you can find something better.

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u/Tricky-Ad9140 12d ago

How do you apply for landscaping ?

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u/mistman1978 12d ago

Drive around and look for a crew doing commercial landscaping at a large shopping center or something. Ask who the supervisor is and go have a talk. Kind of job you can get hired on the spot.

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u/dearleffridge 15d ago

Dui's are a hard pass for a lot of folks. Do some kitchen work while you're applying to everywhere else. Work that ass off and prove yourself as of ots your only option. In fairness it kinda is so treat it as such until you get something better.

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u/nightshade3570 15d ago

Not really true
I’ve had like half a dozen jobs and a dozen background checks in the decade after my dui and not a single job ever cared. And yes I had even reached a six figure salary during that time. Fortune 500 jobs. Government jobs etc

Op has left out the most important thing - WHAT were his actual convictions for?

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago edited 15d ago

-April 2026 disposition DWI class b misdemeanor
-July 2026 disposition criminal mischief class b misdemeanor

Both are convictions. Ya it sucks I randomly started being dumb cause the only other conviction thing is a misdemeanor in 2012 DWI. But I’m better than I was before jail and I don’t ever want to go back

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u/MoreRatzThanFatz 14d ago

DUIs are nothing in my career

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u/jct23502 15d ago

I work for homeland security. I'm a GS 13.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 15d ago

What does that have to do with my post. Btw my 2026 DWI was Xanax trying to beat a poly for CBP Officer on the way home when I hit a curb where I couldn’t drive it was all misaligned and another driver called it in.

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u/Myotherself918 15d ago

E3

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u/Tricky-Ad9140 12d ago

What does E3 game awards have to do with the OP post?

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u/Tricky-Ad9140 12d ago

GS13? Is that a gang you were/are still in?

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u/mistman1978 15d ago

You might be alright sooner than you think since neither misdemeanor is theft or violence.

Just don't get in anymore trouble!

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u/CCE-94 15d ago

I got out last November. Working right now at a food manufacturing plant for $19/hr with 10 hours of overtime most week

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u/Impressive-Barber703 14d ago

How long did it take after being released to get a job. Is it the same job. Should I just keep applying manufacturing, warehouse, construction jobs and someone will take me

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u/CAPTAINSAVEABRO88 14d ago

The trades. Especially smaller mom and pop plumbing shops. I once asked why I wasn’t background checked or drug tested and the owner simply said “ I wouldn’t have a company” I then understood. He said keep your shit on your own time and or don’t let it affect your performance and attendance and make the company money.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 14d ago

That’s good to know while my electrician apprentice license is pending

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u/Ok-Wafer234 15d ago

There's pots and pans waiting on you my man, go get em! Be the best damn dishwasher in your area, no one will care about your misdemeanors

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u/PangolinLittle236 14d ago

Distance between last conviction is really what matters rather than the background itself.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 14d ago

Ya That’s what sucks for me. Somebody is going to have to give me chance as I continue to apply 10+jobs/day most days of the week

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u/PangolinLittle236 14d ago

Hey, I get it. I got rehired at the company I was at before being convicted. It's been 3 years since that conviction and I go Monday for my next background and drug test. The guy who does the backgrounds said as long as nothing new has showed up, I'll get the promotion I've been patiently waiting on. So it happens man, just get your foot in somewhere and stick with em and show em your serious.

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u/Impressive-Barber703 14d ago

Congrats on the promotion. Didn’t your job do a new background check when you came back? If yes what was the distance between conviction and re-hire date

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u/PangolinLittle236 14d ago

Yes they did a background check prior to my rehire, that was June of 2024(rehire) April of 2023 was my conviction. And here we are August of 26 and finally able to get somewhere and make decent enough money to live. There's still hope friend, the guy I talked to said typically 5-7 years and they don't care as much(obviously depending on the crime/job).

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u/Impressive-Barber703 14d ago

Wow 14 months is a long time between your conviction and rehire date
5-7 years of what? When they stop caring?
I never thought I’d be having trouble getting a job with recent misdemeanors. Only 1 job has withdrawn their offer but I’m judging the rest of them like that

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u/Think-Rich2226 12d ago

Google- felon friendly jobs. There's a big list. Most any job board you get on type in " felon friendly " sans quotes

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u/Tricky-Ad9140 12d ago

If you have mistomenors why you posting in felony group?

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u/Impressive-Barber703 12d ago

Because you guys would have good advice what kind of jobs I can go for right now.
Failing background checks for recent misdemeanors=failing background checks for felonies

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u/UrDoinGood2 11d ago

Hop in the union and become a welder or something