In looking for a job, a felon faces many obstacles.
To address this challenge, a felon who has experience working in a restaurant or in a retail store might want to apply at Cracker Barrel.
This blog post will cover whether or not Cracker Barrel runs background checks.
- What Is Included in a Background Check?
- Cracker Barrel Application
- Cracker Barrel Background Check
- Tips for Getting a Job at Cracker Barrel
Contents
What Is Included in a Background Check?
Employers like Cracker Barrel review an applicant’s background because they 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 necessary skills
- Has attendance problems
- Is dishonest on the job
The last issue is the biggest challenge for felons.
Their criminal history can be a problem when applying at Cracker Barrel even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer typically views at least some of the following in making a hiring decision:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer like Cracker Barrel to determine a candidate’s:
- Past mistakes
- Character
- Financial fitness
This allows an employer to identify hiring risks for security and safety issues for the company.
Cracker Barrel Application
Cracker Barrel is a chain of combined restaurants and retail stores with a Southern country theme.
The company was founded in 1969 and has its headquarters in Lebanon, Tennessee.
Cracker Barrel has more than 600 locations in the U.S. and currently employs more than 70,000 individuals.
An applicant who is confident and well prepared with strong communication skills will have a better chance for employment.
The interview process is usually casual with a brief one-on-one interview with a manager.
Typical interview questions include:
- What do you like most about Cracker Barrel?
- What sets us apart from other restaurant chains?
- How would you encourage customers to come back to Cracker Barrel?
Typical entry-level positions at Cracker Barrel include:
- Cashier
- Coke
- Dishwasher
- Maintenance worker
- Host, hostess
- Food regulatory specialist
- Associate food scientist
- Customer service
The Cracker Barrel application is short and simple, taking approximately 20 minutes to complete.
The application process will begin by creating an account on their website.
Personal information requested includes:
- Name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Home address
- Employment history
- Education
- Skills
A person must be at least 16 years old to work at Cracker Barrel.
Cracker Barrel Background Check
Working in the food industry is a common area for felons to find employment.
Submitting an application to Cracker Barrel will include consenting to a pre-employment background check.
Any employment offer is contingent on passing this background check.
Cracker Barrel does hire felons.
The following will make a difference for felons with the company:
- Type of felony conviction
- Time since completion of sentence
- Experience
Cracker Barrel does a background check after the interview to allow managers to get to know the individual before that check.
Cracker Barrel wants to see what kind of person the applicant is instead of focusing on past mistakes.
However, a felon with a violent conviction will likely be denied employment.
Cracker Barrel considers all job-related aspects of each candidate’s background and experience.
A routine background check at Cracker Barrel takes approximately one week. Any felon applying at Cracker Barrel needs to:
- Know his or her criminal history
- Answer all questions
- Be honest
- Focus on the positive
All questions on the application regarding criminal history must be answered truthfully.
If a job is offered, an applicant will be asked consent to a background check, so not being honest will immediately disqualify him or her.
A background check is run for Cracker Barrel to protect:
- The company
- Its employees
- Its customers
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Cracker Barrel by having his or her record expunged.
Tips for Getting a Job at Cracker Barrel
An applicant needs to dress and behave professionally in an appropriate manner for a job position.
A few specific tips for getting hired at Cracker Barrel include:
- Be flexible in working different hours
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a job history with a current resume
- Be honest about all personal information and history
- Maintain eye contact
- Speak clearly
- Be polite and respectful
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm for the job
If possible, applying in person allows an individual to talk directly to the manager at Cracker Barrel.
Don’t hide the fact that he or she has a felony conviction if it comes up.
Instead, explain the facts about that conviction without emotion.
It is never a good idea to lie about your past on an application.
This could result in not being considered for a job if Cracker Barrel finds out about it.
Highlight skills and abilities that qualify you for the job; focus on them during the interview.
Take responsibility for past actions and explain how you’re putting your life in order.
Doing your own background check allows a felon to know what an employer will see on his or her record.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether or not Cracker Barrel runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Cracker Barrel run a background check?
What was that like and was he or she successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
