After their incarceration, the biggest challenge facing felons is finding a job since even companies known to hire felons typically do a background check.
In searching for work, a felon may want to apply for a job at Dollar Tree.
This blog post will cover whether or not Dollar Tree runs background checks.
- What is Included in a Background Check?
- Dollar Tree Application
- An Opportunity for Felons?
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- Recommended Action
Contents
What is Included in a Dollar Tree Background Check?
Employers who review an applicant’s background don’t want a “bad hire” which is someone who doesn’t succeed after being hired.
A “bad hire” includes:
- Not producing quality work
- Having a negative attitude
- Not working well with other employees
- Not dealing well with customers
- Not having the skills they stated
- Attendance problems
- Being dishonest on the job
The last category is the most challenging for felons.
Their criminal history can be a problem even if they are now honest.
In addition to criminal records, an employer may look at credit reports, driving records, and educational records.
Background information helps an employer to determine a candidate’s past mistakes, character, moral and financial fitness, and to determine hiring risks for security and safety issues.
The criminal record section of a background check includes examining criminal history files for any criminal activity, which will reveal all convictions and non-convictions, including cases dismissed or not prosecuted.
Convictions can be reported with no time limit while a non-conviction will show up for seven years.
A crime will not show up on a background check, if a felon has their record expunged.
Dollar Tree Application
Dollar Tree is an American chain of discount variety stores selling items for $1 or less throughout the U.S. and Canada.
The company operates their dollar stores under the names of Dollar Tree and Dollar Bills.
Most Dollar Tree employees begin with the company as store associate.
This position involves running the cash register, helping keep the store stocked and clean, and providing customer assistance whenever necessary.
There is a great potential for promotion at Dollar Tree for those who work hard.
Dollar Tree has a formal store management and promotion program that allows employees who want to advance within the company to do so.
Most store managers at Dollar Tree stores have been promoted from being a store associate.
Dollar Tree is usually hiring for a variety of positions, including stocker, backroom help, and cashier along with management jobs.
Dollar Tree wants individuals who are hardworking, honest, and dependable.
The application for Dollar Tree can be completed online.
It includes questions about type of job sought, hours and shifts available, education and work history, and references (not family).
An Opportunity for Felons?
Dollar Tree is a good company for hiring a felon.
There are about 13,600 Dollar Tree stores across the U.S., which employ around 176,800 people.
While Dollar Tree does hire felons, they do not hire anyone with a violent or sexual offense, and they typically don’t employ individuals with a conviction of theft or forgery.
For other crimes, Dollar Tree 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 Dollar Tree to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
In evaluating the results, they look for discrepancies between the report and the applicant’s 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 Dollar Tree by having his or her record expunged.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Doing a background check on themselves before applying at Dollar Tree will allow a felon to know exactly what will be discovered when Dollar Tree does their review.
If there are any questions, he or she can contact an attorney.
It is essential not to wait and take 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 that 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 Tree
Suggestions for a felon to increase his or her chances to be hired at Dollar Tree are:
- Be willing to apply at different store locations
- Be flexible in work availability and 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
- Be honest and answer any questions about their history when applying
A felon needs to remember that he or she is not defined by his or her crime.
He or she must be willing to see him or herself 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.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether Dollar Tree runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Dollar Tree run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
