How tough would it be to be hired at Wal-Mart with a pot arrest 2 years ago and a pot arrest 2 months ago?

Question

The first charge is done and taken care of. All probation has been served and severance paid for. Exactly 2 months ago I was arrested for pot again. The charge is pending. Since then I have quit smoking and should pass Wal-Mart's drug screening requirement. These are the 2 things I've gotten in trouble for. No juvenile record to speak of and these 2 pot arrests in the last 2 years for my adult criminal record. I am going to work in Wal-Mart's dairy department and I am just really worried about the recent arrest looking bad. If anyone can help me I would appreciate it.

Answer 1

Why ask "at Wal-Mart"? It will be very difficult for you to be hired by anyone let alone Wal-Mart. They will ask if you have ever been arrested (not convicted), arrested! You lie here and you are sunk.They will check. You tell the truth and you won't get the job. Besides that, how do you plan to pass the drug screening test?

Answer 2

Don't most employers only ask if you were convicted of a felony? Pot is usually a misdemeanor, so it shouldn't be a problem. If they don't bring it up, you don't need to either, especially since it is not a work related crime.

I don't know though, if you only stopped smoking two months ago, depending on the type of test they do, it may still show up.  

Answer 3

· You are an adult,

· Misdemeanors DO show up on background checks.

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· The check shows an employer much more then the criminal history what they actually look for is how this history has affected you.

· Did you make a mistake in the past and then make the same mistakes again. This history gives them a standard by which to judge your potential future and the propensity to continue to make the same kinds of mistakes.

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· The drug test won't be the issue the fact that you have shown that you do not learn from your mistakes will be the problem. If you fail the drug test it will just be a convenient reason to not hire you. Generally a first interview will be conducted before a background check is done (no reason to waste the money on someone they aren't going to even consider) so at that time you will need to state your case for why this should not be held against you. Have some great personal references that can attest to the changes in your life this time around. You must make the possible background check irrelevant by your words and actions prior to it being done.

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· EDIT:

· The fact that you have been honest and upfront with this will help your case. The misdemeanor convictions will show up in a criminal check they are part of the public record. Since you have already addressed the issues there should be no surprises. Choicepoint uses a very up to date database in each state and this will be done quickly. They do not do any on the ground investigating for associate positions at Wal-Mart just the computer check. If Wal-Mart makes a negative decision about hiring you they must provide you with a copy of the background check before that decision is final and allow you to dispute any inaccuracies (Fair Credit Reporting Act covers these checks). That will give you another opportunity to make your case for the chance to prove yourself. Good luck.