Will they really not hire me over THAT?

nathan · #1 07-14-2011, 05:21 PM

So, when I was 19 I was charged with underage possession of alcohol. It was complete bull****. But anyway. It's on my record as a misdemeanor.

I'm 23 now. Today, I got hired for a government job. It's very low level government. Contracted work through a company called Unisys. All I need to do is pass a background check. Now, on the form for the background check it says a misdemeanor automatically disqualifies you from employment....

Is this really true? Do I actually not have a chance of getting this because of something stupid that happened 4 years ago? Or would they overlook it because the charge is so small? I've heard various things.

If anybody knows anything about this policy... care to shed some light on it?

bassteban · #2 07-14-2011, 05:25 PM

Little hiring going on ATM+*this guy has a 'record' vs THAT guy doesn't*=no job would be my guess.

Edit: Having now read the entire OP, if they say *disqualified* then I'm thinking you're *disqualified*. Does it suck/did I do something similar in my youth? Yes/yes- still, I can't see doing much about it beyond moving on.

MJ5150 · #3 07-14-2011, 05:34 PM

You're disqualified. Sorry bro.

-Mike

nathan · #4 07-14-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassteban

Little hiring going on ATM+*this guy has a 'record' vs THAT guy doesn't*=no job would be my guess.

Edit: Having now read the entire OP, if they say *disqualified* then I'm thinking you're *disqualified*. Does it suck/did I do something similar in my youth? Yes/yes- still, I can't see doing much about it beyond moving on.

Well, I also kind of have an "in" already. My roommate works there as well and he recommended me for the job. The guy that interviewed me is a musician and we've actually played a few shows together. He told me he's trying to hire a staff of laid back people who all play music so everybody gets along.

I told him that I had been charged with underage possession of alcohol in the interview and had it on my record and his response was "Yeah, I probably have a few of those too". Only one other person has applied and he said he didn't like them. They also need somebody ASAP.

Selta · #5 07-14-2011, 05:36 PM

It might not be up to the hiring manager, though. Just because he wants you, doesn't mean you'll get in. If corporate has a policy like that and HR catches the history you have, and is strict about it, you might not have a chance.

**colcifer** · #6 07-14-2011, 05:41 PM

Sorry, bro. Better luck next time.

**jmattbassplaya** · #7 07-14-2011, 05:42 PM

Interesting that they wouldn't hire you but they'd allow people to become President who've admitted to doing illegal drugs.

Papa Dangerous · #8 07-14-2011, 05:47 PM

All I read was the title of the thread, and answered "Yes."
It is always safer to assume that you will not get hired, then hope. You are better off continuing your job hunt and if that place happens to call, then you lucked out.

bassic.science · #9 07-14-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

Interesting that they wouldn't hire you but they'd allow people to become President who've admitted to doing illegal drugs.

You know the rules of regular society don't apply to the elite. That's why everyone at Goldman Sachs still has all their dirty money and none of them got in trouble.

SoonerMatt · #10 07-14-2011, 05:47 PM

The government is incredibly strict and they follow through with what they say. Unless your friend is high up your chances of getting the job are next to nil. Is it BS and unfair? Yes on both counts, since people do stupid **** when they're that young regardless of whether or not they got caught. My advice would be to not put all your eggs in one basket and look at other job openings while this ordeal's going on.

Jim Nazium · #11 07-14-2011, 05:49 PM

I'd be surprised if they DQ everyone with a misdemeanor conviction. Most job applications I've seen just ask you to list the details of any convictions. However, it could be their policy.

guy n. cognito · #12 07-14-2011, 05:50 PM

Bad decisions have repercussions. Sorry.

WalterBush · #13 07-14-2011, 05:51 PM

If it's a government contractor, then yeah, they'll disqualify you over a misdemeanor. They disqualify people here at Yuma Proving Ground for far less in some positions.

It's different for each contractor; some companies out at YPG or MCAS (local military installations with multiple civilian contracting companies) couldn't care less as long as you haven't commited a felony that month. Others will do a far more, um, thorough background check than anyone but a Vegas casino, and disqualify based on a rumor in some sensitive positions.

I'd keep looking if I were you, and see how quickly a misdemeanor in your state leaves your record.

nathan · #14 07-14-2011, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by guy n. cognito

Bad decisions have repercussions. Sorry.

Off Topic, but it was NOT my fault at all. A coworker (who was 22) was giving me a ride home from work. He stopped at a grocery store and bought a 6 pack (it was not for me) and put it in his trunk. Perfectly legal. Undercover cops in the parking lot came up to him when he did it and they asked me for my ID. They fined me for possession and him for aiding and abetting a minor or whatever. Total BS.

bobba66 · #15 07-14-2011, 06:27 PM

I wasn't allowed to join the military just because of some old needle marks on my arms. Imagine that.

i_got_a_mohawk · #16 07-14-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathan

Off Topic, but it was NOT my fault at all. A coworker (who was 22) was giving me a ride home from work. He stopped at a grocery store and bought a 6 pack (it was not for me) and put it in his trunk. Perfectly legal. Undercover cops in the parking lot came up to him when he did it and they asked me for my ID. They fined me for possession and him for aiding and abetting a minor or whatever. Total BS.

If that's the case, did you try pursuing it at the time?

It might be worth seeing if it can be expunged from your record? Seems like a pretty minor offence, even if you had been caught drinking (keep in mind, where I'm from 18 is the drinking age, and we have a little bit of a drinking culture).

I have to agree with what the other guys are saying, in that policy is policy, with bigger companies, they are less interested in you as a person, more interested in you having the right tick-boxes. That, tied in with the current economic situation. Certainly not a good thing for yourself.

I do wish you all the best !

Linas · #17 07-14-2011, 06:43 PM

If this misdemeanor keeps coming up to bite you in the ass, I would look into getting a lawyer to expunge it for you.

nathan · #18 07-14-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i_got_a_mohawk

If that's the case, did you try pursuing it at the time?

It might be worth seeing if it can be expunged from your record? Seems like a pretty minor offence, even if you had been caught drinking (keep in mind, where I'm from 18 is the drinking age, and we have a little bit of a drinking culture).

I have to agree with what the other guys are saying, in that policy is policy, with bigger companies, they are less interested in you as a person, more interested in you having the right tick-boxes. That, tied in with the current economic situation. Certainly not a good thing for yourself.

I do wish you all the best !

thanks for the well wishes. I did try pursuing it at the time. I met with a lawyer about it. The stupid thing is, it was a charge given to me by this special task force called ALE (Alcohol Law Enforcement). Apparently, if they give you a charge, it cannot be removed from your record for a long time. I'm going to try and get it expunged now though.

Also, this happened in North Carolina but I live in a different state now. I'm guessing not, but does that help me at all?

nathan · #19 07-14-2011, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linas

If this misdemeanor keeps coming up to bite you in the ass, I would look into getting a lawyer to expunge it for you.

I honestly forgot about it until this came up. At the time I also thought it was just a ticket or something like that where you just pay the fine and that's that.

tastybasslines · #20 07-14-2011, 07:33 PM

You don't need a lawyer for expungement. Just go down to the courthouse and ask for the papers to do that yourself. I did that for one of mine.

Furthermore, if you are sure that it's a no go, tell them what happened. Be honest and upfront andd it could work magic for you. Take responsibility for it and tell them you are eager to work and ready to move on. You might be surprised.