The biggest challenge felons have after finishing their sentence is finding a job.
In looking for work, a felon who has experience in any of a number of fields may want to apply online through Indeed.
This blog post will cover whether or not Indeed runs background checks.
- What Is Included in a Background Check?
- Indeed
- Indeed Application
- Indeed Background Check?
- Tips for Getting a Job Through Indeed
Contents
What Is Included in a Background Check?
Many employers found on Indeed 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 question is the biggest challenge for felons.
Their criminal history can be a problem when applying on Indeed even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer may view at least some of the following:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer 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.
A crime will not show up on a background check if a felon has his or her record expunged.
About Indeed
Indeed is a job board site for applying for jobs online. Indeed is a worldwide employment-related search engine which began in 2004 and has its headquarters in Austin, Texas, and Stamford, Connecticut.
Indeed is the number one jobsite around the world with over 250,000,000 unique visitors per month.
It is available in 60 countries and 28 languages. Job seekers have access to millions of jobs from thousands of companies.
Indeed includes job listings from major job boards, newspapers, associations, and company career pages.
Employers can post jobs directly to Indeed, which offers a free service to job seekers who can:
- Submit a resume
- Create job alert emails
- Search for jobs
- Apply to them directly
Indeed sweeps the internet and collects listings from job boards and company websites.
A search engine is located on Indeed to enter keywords that define job openings.
Job seekers can enter keywords, like job titles, company names, career fields, skills, and certifications.
Entering keywords allows an applicant to click on, “find jobs,” to generate a list of jobs matching those criteria.
Indeed Application
A job listing on Indeed will include the job title, company name, location, and a description.
On the list of jobs, some will say, “apply directly.”
This indicates the applicant can apply to them directly through Indeed.
Any job listings that do not say, “apply directly,” will have a button that leads him or her to an employer’s website to complete the application.
Job seekers can register with Indeed and receive email notifications about new jobs that match any search criteria.
An applicant can also post a resume for employers to search for job candidates.
It is important to check out the company that someone is applying for before completing an application.
It is also important to check out the company website to see if the company is one where someone wants to work.
When applying, it is essential to include a cover letter regarding oneself and his or her experience.
Does Indeed Background Check?
Unlike the employers represented, Indeed itself does not run background checks.
Each company, listing a job on Indeed, is responsible for any background check that they want to conduct.
Many companies conduct a background check on anyone who may be made a job offer, looking for any felony conviction in the past seven years.
Their application may indicate that employment might be contingent upon satisfactory passing a job-related background check along with a drug and alcohol screening.
There is often a question on the application asking whether an applicant has ever been convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor, and if so, to describe in detail.
For many companies, a felony conviction does not automatically disqualify someone.
An applicant will be denied employment for providing false information in an application.
Factors considered in hiring a felon at many companies include:
- Type of felony conviction
- Length of time since conviction (at least seven years)
- Position applied for
- Job-related skills
An applicant is likely to be denied employment with a conviction of:
- Theft
- Fraud
- Violent felony
A company may hire felons according to:
- Severity of the crime
- Amount of time elapsed since the conviction
It is important for any felon applicant using Indeed 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 to consent to a background check.
A routine background check at a number of companies may take as long as one to two weeks.
A background check is run for employers listing a job on Indeed to protect:
- The company
- Its employees
- Its customers
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job through Indeed by having his or her record expunged.
Tips for Getting a Job Through Indeed
A few tips for getting hired through Indeed include:
- Be flexible in work availability
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a job history with a current resume
- Be honest about all personal information and history
For most job postings on Indeed, there will not be an interview as the hiring process takes place online.
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 an employer finds out about it.
Highlight skills and abilities that qualify you for the job.
Take responsibility for past actions and explain how you are putting your life in order.
Doing your own background check allows you, as a felon, to know what an employer will see on your record.
So what do you think about this blog post about whether Indeed runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know applied for a job using Indeed?
What was that like and was he or she successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
