What jobs will not hire you with a misdemeanor?
Asked by: Eulah Ryan | Last update: February 18, 2026Score: 5/5 (22 votes)
Jobs involving vulnerable populations (kids, elderly), handling money/finances, driving (especially commercial), public safety, or requiring high security/trust are difficult to get with certain misdemeanors like domestic violence, theft, fraud, drug possession, or DUI, but it depends on the crime's relevance, time passed, and state laws like California's Fair Chance Act. Roles in retail, general office work, or customer service may be more accessible if the misdemeanor isn't directly related to the job duties.
What misdemeanors disqualify you from a job?
While no misdemeanor automatically prevents all employment, offenses involving fraud, theft, violence, domestic abuse, or drug distribution are major red flags, especially in sensitive fields like healthcare or education, or for jobs involving money or vulnerable people; however, factors like the crime's relevance to the job, its age, and evidence of rehabilitation play a big role, with some states having laws limiting what employers can consider.
Do I have to tell my job if I get a misdemeanor?
Yes, you are required to report the matter. If you fail to do so and they find out ( they monitor for violations) you most definitely will be discharged. You do not state what you are being charged with, but a no contest plea is not the way to go.
How do I explain a misdemeanor to my employer?
It is up to you, but we recommend honesty. On the application, write ”will discuss in interview” rather than a lengthy explanation of past convictions. In an interview, keep explanations brief, and stress what you have learned from your conviction and time in prison, how you have changed, and your skills or assets.
Does sealing my record hide a misdemeanor?
Sealed records are hidden from most employers and landlords but remain accessible to law enforcement agencies. Eligibility: Expungement is available for many misdemeanors and some non-violent felonies. Sealing is often used for juvenile offenses and non-conviction records.
Will I Get Hired With A Misdemeanor?
Is my life ruined if I get a misdemeanor?
A misdemeanor won't necessarily ruin your life, but it can have significant, long-lasting impacts on employment, housing, education, and professional licensing, though these effects often lessen over time and can sometimes be expunged or sealed. While it's not as severe as a felony, a conviction creates a criminal record that can show up on background checks, making it harder to get certain jobs or loans, but many employers overlook misdemeanors, especially after several years or if the conviction is expunged.
How hard is it to get a job with a misdemeanor?
Having certain misdemeanor convictions on your record can make it extremely difficult to get hired, even for seemingly minor offenses. Employers often conduct background checks these days, and something as small as a misdemeanor for disorderly conduct could be enough to remove you from consideration.
Do most jobs hire people with misdemeanors?
You can generally still get a job with a misdemeanor conviction on your record. But some offenses may make it more difficult or unfeasible to land a specific type of job. For example: a misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty may make it difficult to secure a banking position, or.
How long does a misdemeanor show up?
The short answer is — potentially forever, unless you take legal steps to remove it. A misdemeanor conviction in California doesn't simply vanish after a set amount of time. It stays on your criminal record and can show up in background checks, sometimes for life.
What is the hardest background check to pass?
The hardest background checks are typically US government security clearances (especially Top Secret/SCI) and those for high-level law enforcement, involving deep dives into criminal, financial (credit), employment, and personal history (interviews with associates) via extensive forms like the SF-86, far exceeding standard employment screening. These checks scrutinize all life aspects for integrity, reliability, and potential security risks, often requiring disclosure of past drug use, financial issues, and undisclosed criminal records, making them incredibly difficult to pass if issues exist.
What is the most common misdemeanor?
The most common misdemeanors often involve public order and minor property crimes, with petty theft, simple assault/battery, disorderly conduct, trespassing, and DUI (Driving Under the Influence) frequently cited across jurisdictions. Minor drug possession (like marijuana) and public intoxication also rank high due to their prevalence and varying decriminalization laws.
What disqualifies you from getting a job?
A conviction for a serious offense, such as fraud, theft, violence, or drug-related crimes, may raise questions about an individual's reliability, trustworthiness, and potential risks to the workplace (especially workplace safety), ultimately resulting in disqualification from the hiring process.
How long does a misdemeanor stay on your record in the USA?
While misdemeanor convictions stay on your record indefinitely in many jurisdictions, they are often eligible for record sealing or expungement after a designated period, typically ranging from 1–5 years, depending on your state's laws.
Do misdemeanors show up on background checks?
Yes, misdemeanors generally show up on background checks as they are part of your criminal record, but whether they appear depends on the check's scope (state vs. national), state laws (some limit reporting timeframes or allow expungement), the specific court records found, and if the conviction has been sealed or expunged. Expect misdemeanors to be visible unless you've successfully expunged them or the check is very limited geographically or by time, as states often have rules restricting reporting after several years.
What rights do you lose with a misdemeanor?
Misdemeanor crimes can affect education and professional licenses. Past criminal activity might make it hard to get into certain schools or receive financial aid.
Can a misdemeanor affect my travel?
Having a misdemeanor or felony conviction can impact your ability to rent an apartment, become licensed in certain professions, and travel abroad. Many other countries have limitations on who can visit, seek residency, or become a citizen.
Can a job deny you for a misdemeanor?
Yes, a misdemeanor can affect employment, especially if it's recent, serious (like theft or violence), or relevant to the job (e.g., a DUI for a driving role), but many factors like "Ban the Box laws," expungement, and your honesty can significantly influence the outcome, with many people finding jobs despite a record. Employers often focus on the crime's nature, severity, and relevance to job duties, with industries like childcare, finance, or healthcare being stricter. Being upfront and explaining rehabilitation can build trust, while some state laws limit how early employers can ask about criminal history.
What looks bad on a background check?
Things that look bad on a background check include criminal records (especially job-related offenses), significant inconsistencies on resumes (like falsified degrees or job titles), frequent job hopping, unexplained employment gaps, poor credit (for financial roles), negative social media activity (hate speech, unprofessionalism), and failed drug/driving tests, all suggesting dishonesty, instability, or risk to the employer.
What is the 3 month rule in a job?
The "3-month rule" in a job refers to the common probationary period where both employer and employee assess fit, acting as a trial to see if the role and person align before full commitment, often involving learning goals (like a 30-60-90 day plan) and performance reviews, allowing either party to end employment more easily, notes Talent Management Institute (TMI), Frontline Source Group, Indeed.com, and Talent Management Institute (TMI). It's a crucial time for onboarding, understanding expectations, and demonstrating capability, setting the foundation for future growth, says Talent Management Institute (TMI), inTulsa Talent, and Talent Management Institute (TMI).
What qualifies as a serious misdemeanor?
Definition of serious misdemeanor
A serious misdemeanor refers to a criminal offense that is less severe than a felony but carries more significant penalties and consequences than a minor misdemeanor or an infraction.
What level of misdemeanor is most serious?
Among misdemeanors, Class A or Level One crimes are the most serious, incurring fines and jail time of up to one year in most states. Misdemeanors are crimes that are less serious than felonies, both in their commission and their punishment.
What are the three types of misdemeanors?
There are generally three main classes of misdemeanors (A, B, C or 1, 2, 3), varying by state, with Class A (or 1) being the most severe, carrying longer jail time and higher fines, while Class C (or 3) are the least serious, often involving smaller fines and shorter jail sentences, reflecting a hierarchy of risk and punishment.
What makes you fail a background check?
You fail a background check due to red flags like criminal history, lying on your application (education, job history), a failed drug test, a poor driving record, or issues like bad credit for finance roles, all of which signal a potential mismatch with the job's requirements or company standards. Other common reasons include unverifiable credentials, negative references, or even inconsistent personal identification details.
What are red flags in a background check?
Common red flags on a background check include criminal records, false information on a résumé, poor credit history, and negative employment references.