I was recently fired from my retail job for theft.?

Question

I feel really bad about it and this is my first and last time I will ever do this. It was stupid and I was in desperate need of money to pay medical bills. My question is is that I was never prosecuted, no arrest and I paid restitution for the entire amount within a week. My problem is that, I live in California and they told me that they would enter my name in a national database for theft. Now I believe that these are private investigating services such as choice point and APISenterprise. I've tried to apply for other jobs and I still can't find one. Do you think that I should list them as a reference? (this was my first job) or do you think that I would have a shot at another job if this keeps popping up on my pre-employment application status, should I wait a certain amount of time, or find a new career? Any advise would be greatly appreciated thanks!

Answer 1

Even if you do not list them as a reference, prospective employers can do searches and find out where you worked previously, and then contact them.  Then you will have a double negative against you, for lying to them (by not saying where you worked before) and also the negative reference you might get.

The best thing would be to just be honest when you apply, let them know that you paid restitution, and hope for the best.  

Answer 2

No, do not list them as a reference. I think you might have a better chance if you applied for a job that does not involve handling money.