The biggest challenge facing felons after returning home is finding a job.
Even companies known to hire felons typically do a background check.
In looking for work, a felon who has experience with vehicle maintenance may want to apply for a job at AutoZone.
This blog post will cover whether or not AutoZone runs background checks.
- What is Included in a Background Check?
- AutoZone Application
- An Opportunity for Felons?
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- Recommended Action
Contents
What is Included in a Background Check?
Employers who review an applicant’s background don’t want someone who doesn’t succeed after starting a job.
This is considered to be a “bad hire,” which is someone who:
- Doesn’t produce quality work
- Has a negative attitude
- Doesn’t work well with other employees
- Doesn’t deal well with customers
- Doesn’t have the skills they stated on an application
- Has attendance problems
- Is dishonest on the job
The last question is the biggest challenge for felons.
Their criminal history can be a problem even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer will view credit reports, driving records, and educational records in addition to criminal offenses.
Background information helps an employer to determine a candidate’s past mistakes, character, and financial fitness, and to identify hiring risks for security and safety issues for the company.
The criminal record review of a background check includes examining criminal history files for any criminal offenses, which will reveal all convictions and non-convictions, including cases not prosecuted or ones that were dismissed.
Convictions can be reported with no time limit while a non-conviction will show up for seven years.
However, a crime will not show up on a background check if a felon has their record expunged.
AutoZone Application
AutoZone is a retailer of automotive and truck parts and accessories while also offering automotive repair and diagnostic software.
AutoZone offers many career opportunities in their stores.
Each location employs both part-time and full-time workers. Store associates have opportunities for career development.
Their stores typically hire individuals to work as parts stockers, retail sales personnel, customer service representatives, and parts delivery drivers.
AutoZone trains employees with skills that will transfer to more responsible positions.
The company focuses on providing customers with personal assistance and trustworthy advice from associates.
Team members provide expert knowledge and friendly, hands-on assistance to customers.
AutoZone is always looking for hardworking, dedicated, and honest people to join their team.
A passion for cars and auto parts is generally preferred.
Applicants will apply online, usually providing a resume.
The application process requires providing: name, Social Security Number, address, email address, phone number, scheduling preferences, pay requirements, references, education, work history, licenses/certifications, and driver’s license number.
An applicant will also be asked to fill out a brief questionnaire that asks about work experience and skills.
He or she will need to explain why he or she is qualified for the position.
Following that is a 94-question assessment to determine if a person is a good fit for the company.
Questions focus on how an applicant would respond to various situations.
An assessment example would be a statement like:
“Rather than wait to be told, I tend to start doing what I think needs to be done.”
AutoZone wants employees that give a definite reply of what he or she would do rather than a weaker response such as what might happen.
An Opportunity for Felons?
AutoZone operates the second largest automotive retailer in America with more than 5,000 stores nationwide.
The company employs more than 70,000 customer service representatives and other workers.
During the application process, an applicant will be asked to consent to a pre-employment background check.
Any employment offers that are made will be contingent upon passing this background check.
An applicant will also need to consent to a pre-employment drug screening.
While AutoZone does hire felons, they do not hire anyone with a violent or sexual offense.
They typically don’t employ individuals with a conviction of theft or forgery, either.
For other crimes, AutoZone will consider an applicant based on:
- The nature of the offense and the circumstances
- Length of time since the conviction
- Work experience
- An applicant’s skills related to the job for which they are applying
The background check is run for AutoZone to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
In evaluating the results, they look for discrepancies between the report and their responses on the application.
They also evaluate the nature of any criminal offenses discovered by the report.
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at AutoZone by having his or her record expunged so they could honestly state that they have never been convicted of a crime.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Doing a background check on him or herself before applying at AutoZone will allow a felon to know exactly what will be discovered when AutoZone does their review.
A felon with any questions can contact an attorney.
It is essential to take action and not risk a chance on the results.
There are different kinds of personal background checks that a felon can run:
- From the court in which he or she was charged
- A credit report which will help determine how financially responsible an individual is
- Driving records for any job involving driving, such as a truck driver
- An educational report through the National Student Clearing House
For someone wanting to do a background check on themselves, there are places that can help.
Tips for Getting a Job at AutoZone
Suggestions for a felon to increase his or her chances to be hired at AutoZone are:
- Be willing to apply at different store locations
- Be flexible in work availability, willing to work different hours
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a job history and skills used in those jobs
- Be honest about all personal information and history
- Get there early for an interview
- Dress appropriately
- Be polite and respectful
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm for working at the company
Applying in person allows an individual to talk directly to the manager and bypass pre-screenings that would automatically eliminate him or her.
He or she shouldn’t hide the fact that he or she has a felony conviction if it comes up.
Instead, explain the facts about that conviction without being emotional.
It is never wise to lie about one’s past on an application.
This could result in not being considered for jobs if the company finds out about it.
The felon will need to make a case as to why the store should hire him or her.
They should highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job, especially during the interview.
They also need to take responsibility for past actions and explain how he or she is putting life in order.
Doing their own background check allows a felon to know what an employer will see on his or her record so they can be prepared to honestly answer any questions that may come up because of that.
A felon needs to remember that he or she is not defined by his or her crime.
We are not defined by our mistakes but in how we recover from them.
He or she must be willing to see him or herself in a different light, ready to establish an honest life.
The best opportunity for success in a new life begins with having support from family and friends.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether AutoZone runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had AutoZone run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
