Why are background checks performed?
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People with horrible credit or who are deep in debt are generally (but not always) irresponsible and are far more likely to steal. And there is no way that McDonalds refused to hire you because you are "over qualified". There are thousands of jobs available for anyone willing to work. May not be the job you want or at the pay you want, but there are plenty to get you started.
I'm in the same boat. Let me know if you can find any ways around it.
Do you live in the UK? American companies often perform background checks, but usually only of your criminal history (and most of the time you're not required to report any criminal activity that occurred more than seven years ago). If a company opts to check your credit history, it tends to be because the job involves working with finances or credit card numbers. Employers want to make sure you're not in such dire financial straits that you'd steal information.
I don't know you can't get a job at McDonald's. That's odd. In the US, telemarketing companies NEVER perform background checks. You show up and you get the job pretty much.
I'm sorry about your situation and I wish I could help. I'm not sure why your credit is such an issue with employment.
The first thing that you need to do, is apply for a job that is not too technical, that HAS a background check. Then, be up front with the hiring authority, usually HR personnel and inform them that way back when you were young and dumb, you did X, Y and Z. By telling them, they won't be surprised when they do a background check. If it is past their time frame they will hire you. There are jobs that don't require a background check. For example...Janitor, house cleaning, maintenance worker, local delivery, bus driver (not for children), and the list goes on and on. If they get jobs for ex-cons, surely they can get one for you. Go to the unemployment office in your town.
In today's technology,most companies perform background checks and also investigate your past especially if you're going to be working around money as a cashier or security job.
If you need help in getting food I suggest contacting your local chapter of United Way and see if they can help you by getting help for you from the local food bank and maybe put you in contact with some other organization to get a job.
One of the reasons for as background check, besides to make sure you have no priors, is to see how much you owe in debt. They feel the more debt you owe the more likely you will traffic of become involved in activities inside the field such as money laundering, drug trafficking, etc to earn an extra buck. they believe those in deep debt will do almost anything to get out of it. the sad part is I've seen it happen among other officers.
there's not many jobs that require a background check mostly for working with kids or the elderly or mentally challenged people and it's so that they can make sure your not a child molester or have a history of violence so that they can protect the people your being hired to help and preform services these are necessary and as a parent (although i don't use day care i stay home) i am glad they use them you wouldn't want a person with a history of violence or sexual predator teaching your kids or helping your parents at a nursing home, i too have a wild past that involved a lot of drugs the grateful dead and a few minor arrests none of this has ever held me back i worked in child care for years and years i was even the director before i had my kids and i always had a background check done on me they not looking for the minor stuff we did as stupid kids there looking for serious offenders who want to offend again sorry for your troubles it's tough out there right now my family and i scrape by also but it's by choice i would never put my kids in daycare and living on one paycheck is tough but it is possible good luck you don't need dependents for assistance and you can always look up goodwill they have job programs so does the salvation army
Obviously, an employer has the right NOT to want criminals working for them. Would you want someone dishonest, or a criminal working for you?
If the offenses on your record are minor and/or happened a long time ago you may be a candidate for expungement. The process for having your record expunged will vary from state to state and you will probably have to contact an attorney to get the details for your area. Your credit history is another story. I am not familiar with credit checks for employment except in fields requiring a high level of security. An internet search will yield a large number of non-profit credit counseling agencies that can help you, but there are no quick fixes that I am aware of. If you choose to go that route you should be mindful and do your research, there are a large number of these counseling agencies that are not trustworthy.
Background checks are for safety, and security, on everyone's part. I respect your privacy, but without knowing what part of your past is causing you problems, it would be impossible to give direct advice. There are government agencies that would be able to assist you. Good Luck.
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