The biggest challenge for felons after their release is finding a job.
A felon who has experience working in a discount or retail store may want to apply at Dollar General.
This blog post will cover whether or not Dollar General runs background checks.
- What Is Included in a Background Check?
- Dollar General Application
- Dollar General Background Check
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- Tips for Getting a Job at Dollar General
Contents
What Is Included in a Background Check?
Employers, like Dollar General, 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 skills they stated on an application
- 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 Dollar General even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer typically views at least some of the following:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer, like Dollar General, 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.
The criminal record review conducted 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 dismissed.
Convictions can be reported with no time limit while a non-conviction will show up for seven years.
Acrime will not show up on a background check if a felon has his or her record expunged.
Dollar General Application
Dollar General opened in 1955 in Kentucky with the initial concept that nothing would cost more than a dollar.
Dollar General has more than 15,000 stores in the U.S. and has its headquarters in Goodlettsville, Tennessee.
Dollar General focuses on bringing only the essentials to the people who need them.
The company offers a variety of products such as:
- Food
- Health and beauty aids
- Cleaning supplies
- Basic apparel
- Housewares
Dollar General is looking for honest, hardworking, and dependable people to become part of their team.
Experience in sales and customer service will benefit an applicant.
Their main focus is serving others.
They also emphasize working to excel and having a desire to succeed.
The store looks for good communications and listening skills along with a teamwork mentality.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old to work at Dollar General.
Typical, entry-level positions available at Dollar General include:
- Sales associate
- Cashier
- Stocker
- Shift leader
- Store merchandiser
- Warehouse worker
The Dollar General application is simple and straightforward and probably takes 30 to 40 minutes to complete.
The application will ask for a work history. Any gap of employment more than three months will require an explanation.
The application focuses on previous work experience and education.
Applying online will begin by creating an account on the company website.
At the end of the application is a 111-question assessment.
“Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation?
If so, please explain.” This is a question on the application. Candidates who answer, “yes,” are not automatically disqualified from consideration.
If a felony conviction was not for a crime that would prevent an applicant from doing the job, the hiring manager will not discriminate based on that crime.
Anyone the company is interested in will be called in for an interview.
One of the main questions in the interview is availability because its stores are open seven days a week, meaning that flexibility in a work schedule is essential for employment.
Typical interview questions include:
- What is customer service?
- What time would you like to work?
- Do you have any retail experience?
It is important to become familiar with the history of Dollar General before applying.
Dollar General Background Check
Dollar General does conduct a background check on anyone who passes the interview phase, looking for any felony conviction.
Submitting an application to Dollar General is a consent to a pre-employment background check.
All employment offers are contingent on passing the background check.
A background check looks for criminal convictions as well as verifying all information on the application.
All job offers are also contingent upon passing a pre-employment drug test.
Dollar General considers all job-related aspects of each candidate’s background and experience.
There are no specific policies in place related to candidates with a criminal or felony conviction.
A routine background check at Dollar General takes approximately one week.
It is important for any felon applying at Dollar General 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 Dollar General to protect:
- The company
- Its employees
- Its customers
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Dollar General by having his or her record expunged.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Doing a background check on yourself before applying at Dollar General will allow you, as a felon, to know exactly what will be discovered when the company 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 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 Dollar General
It is important to arrive on time for an interview and be honest.
A few specific tips for getting hired at Dollar General 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 Dollar General.
Don’t hide the fact that you have 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 Dollar General finds out about it.
Highlight skills and abilities that qualify you for the job and focus on highlighting them during the interview.
Take responsibility for past actions and explain how you are putting your life in order.
Doing your own background check allows you to know what an employer will see on your record.
Remember that you are not defined by your crime.
Be willing to see yourself in a different light and ready to establish an honest life.
The best opportunity for success in a new life begins with having support from family and friends.
After all, felons do make good employees.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether or not Dollar General runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Dollar General run a background check?
What was that like and was he or she successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
