If you can demonstrate competence, credentials usually matter less. I would recommend just getting a GED so you can check the box on the job application, it will make getting your foot in the door easier.
I wouldn’t say ‘most jobs’, but a lot of jobs don’t actually care about diplomas.
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The customer service jobs I’ve had typically only had a short ‘can you do basic math?’ type quiz beforehand just to see if I could operate a cash register.
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My warehouse jobs just had simple safety training and subsequent quizzes.
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Restaurant work only requires a food-handler’s card.
In my experience, entry-level jobs care more about you having a reliable form of transportation + flexible schedule than if you passed high school.
I didn’t graduate from high school, I got into food service. Literally no one has ever asked me for a diploma. It doesn’t pay the best at first (though it is considerably better than when I started 15 years ago), but I got a comfortable-for-me salary when I eventually got into management.
Its not for everyone, if you can deal with fast paced work, weird hours, and weirder personalities its a lot of fun.
Intense labor trades are far less picky about achievements or other traditional black marks. Even then you probably need a ged to move up much further than general labor. Union trades can probably help you out.
If I didn’t graduate high school I would probably just lie to get my foot in the door.
