17 years old - made a mistake and got fired for stealing $50 at my first job - what other job options could I have?

Question

I used to work at a fast food store and I made a really stupid mistake by stealing $50 and had to suffer the consequences of being fired. Now I'm worried if i can't or won't be able to get hired anywhere else. I had good things ahead of me - I'm in a welding tech program getting certified to weld and my grades are always low 90s. Does anyone know what jobs might take me as a 17 year old with my problem?

Answer 1

Unless the issue is being followed up on by the police, the matter is closed. Fast food is entry level work and presumably you are seeking to obtain similar work, so just leave the job off your resume and apply to other places.

You may want to change your username for this question, as I Googled the name you have and can match certain identifying information to details.

Use this as a guide: https://meta.stackexchange.com/questions/85818/how-can-i-change-my-name-on-a-stack-exchange-site

Deleting the question is not enough as others on this site can still view a deleted question.

Some future employer finding this could be extremely consequential for your future.

Answer 2

I'm assuming you were just caught and fired on the spot. If so, that is likely the end of it.

Unless you were arrested, indicted, found guilty, or have a warrant out for your arrest, you should be OK. Otherwise, if it was a juvenile conviction, your "record" goes away when you reach a certain age (or so I'm told - this may vary depending on which state you are in).

But you may want to leave the grocery store off your resume.

Answer 3

There are good advices in this answer, just adding a specific point:

From my own small experience in a big well known fast-food brand when I was student (starts with "Mc", actually in France but I assume it's the same in other countries), they keep internal records of past employees and share them at least nation-wide. So if it's a big fast-food brand you may not be able to work in another restaurant in the same brand. In another brand it should be OK.

To be more precise, in my case it was very benign: I had resigned from a position in one restaurant without being very arranging in the time between prior notice and effective departure. When applying in another restaurant later, I was told by the interviewer I was "kind of blacklisted" for that (actually still managed to get the position because it was benign and I showed motivation).

Answer 4

Do you have a criminal record for that? Do you want to work in the same industry?

If both the answers are negative you are most likely okay and may live happily ever after. Even if you had the record there is still a chance the employer-to-be won't be that much concerned about it. The longer record of jobs without issues, the better.

You did a really stupid thing. Shit happens. Everybody makes mistakes, some more serious some lesser serious. If you have learnt the lesson, good for you.

Answer 5

First off, it's a great sign that you recognize that stealing your company was a terrible decision. Some people never acknowledge their mistakes and end traping themselves in a endless circle of self justifications.

Second, we all make mistakes. Some even break the law and, as you experienced, all, in a way or another, suffer the consequences of their actions. You did break the law, but don't let this one mistake define you or let people define you by this one mistake.

Now care to never put yourself in a situation like this again. Do walk under the law of your country and walk under wherever company policies you work in the future.

About new job opportunities, you will find a new job, just take this experience out of your professional life and you are good to go.

You are young and there is a vast way ahead of you. Lots of mistakes to do and lots of opportunities to amend thoses mistakes. Amend this one, raise your head and move on.

Answer 6

having criminal record , you have more than 1 job that will not affected with your reputation like working online .. etc , and I think that u are a good man because u admits that u are guilty , you can make a a lot of good things to the community for the coming years .

Answer 7

Considering that you are just 17 years old and you have stolen just $50, I would simply tell the truth during the job interview (if they ask you about reason of ending your last job). Honestly.. stealing money is pretty common, and can even happen by mistake.

I do not agree with others that you should be deleting the question or changing your name. You haven't done anything terrible. You just stole $50, that's it, omg :D It is not the end of the world, and you asking about it under your real name only shows your honesty and real concern about what you have done.

So don't worry, good people will understand and will give you the chance you deserve!