Why is it i am able to sit in a juror box with a criminal record but can't get a job ?

have a few misdemaeners for drinking when i was younger no felonys or theft just a few misdemeanors i was just selected last month for jury duty went thru all the good stuff but was not selected because the case was pleaded out please explain if you know 4 step kids plus one on the way could use all the help i can get