It seems very hard to get a job today. I am 35 and will be 36 this week. I have not worked since I had a accident heading to work in 2003. I don't have enough experience in fast food and 11 months working as a bagger, one month as cashier in fast food, etc. I go to school and studying for a transfer program(university) but I really need to find work. At my age, I have to wonder if I can get away with lying and how long before they would do a check on me? I don't have any legit references. My references were always my mother's friends, one was a referee for little league sports and another was a bus driver that retired and died. I have one co-worker reference but he's working under the table. I feel to get my foot in the door, I may have to lie. Ma and pa stores are probably the better alternatives to get the foot in the door. They probably don't do checks also. I never realized how hard it would be here in SC. Lying is wrong but not much you can do when you are at this age. That said, I see plenty of older workers at these low scale jobs and minorities at even insurance places so I don't think there is a age bias here yet.