In looking for a job, a felon faces many obstacles.
Any felon who has experience working in a retail store might want to apply at Kmart.
This blog post will cover whether or not Kmart runs background checks.
- What Is Included in a Background Check?
- Kmart Application
- Kmart Background Check
- Tips for Getting a Job at Kmart
Contents
What Is Included in a Background Check?
Kmart, like many employers, reviews 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 at Kmart even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer might view at least some of the following:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer like Kmart 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.
Kmart Application
Kmart is a discount retailer with 1,221 stores in 49 states as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, employing 45,000 persons.
Kmart was founded by Sebastian Kresge in 1962 and is owned by the Sears Holding Corporation.
Kmart looks to hire honest, dependable, and hardworking individuals.
An applicant must be at least 16 years old to work at Kmart.
Kmart hires individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Typical entry positions include:
- Cashier
- Sales associate
- Automotive technician
- Stock clerk
- Pharmacy technician
- Distribution center worker
Entry-level applicants interview with a human resources or personnel manager and a one-on-one meeting. Interviewers ask questions about:
- Work experience
- Schedule availability
- Reasons for seeking employment with Kmart
Typical interview questions include:
- How do you plan for your goals?
- How well do you handle pressure?
- What would you do if a customer swore at you?
- What do you know about Kmart?
- Why should Kmart hire you?
- How long would you expect to work for Kmart if hired?
- Why do you think you would do well in this job?
Kmart looks for friendly and enthusiastic associates who want to provide superior customer care.
Kmart favors applicants with prior work experience, especially involving customer service or regular interaction with the public.
After providing personal information, Kmart requires an assessment to determine who the applicant is as a person, and if that person is a good fit for the company.
The assessment takes approximately 30 minutes to complete and is a test including a series of behavioral questions.
Kmart Background Check
In completing the application, Kmart will request permission to administer a pre-employment drug test.
By not agreeing to this, an applicant will not be able to complete the application.
All employment offers are contingent on passing the screening.
Kmart will also ask permission to conduct a background check.
An answer of “no” to this request will disqualify a person from consideration and any employment offer.
Yes, Kmart does perform a thorough background check and drug test on all candidates being considered for a job, looking for any felony conviction in the past seven years.
The company also conducts drug tests later in the hiring process.
The company hires felons according to:
- Severity of the crime
- Amount of time elapsed since the conviction
Any felon applying at Kmart 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 submit to a background check.
A routine background check at Kmart takes several days to a week.
A background check is run for Kmart to protect:
- The company
- Its employees
- Its customers
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Kmart by having his or her record expunged.
Tips for Getting a Job at Kmart
A few tips at getting hired at Kmart include:
- Be flexible in working different hours
- Consider working at various locations
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a job history with a current resume
- Be honest about all personal information and history
- Arrive early for an interview
- Dress appropriately
- Be polite and respectful
- Use a firm handshake
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm
If possible, applying in person allows an individual to talk directly to the manager at Kmart.
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 one’s past on an application.
This could result in not being considered for a job if Kmart finds out about it.
Highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job; focus on highlighting them during the interview.
Take responsibility for past actions and explain how you’re putting your life in order.
Doing his or her 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 Kmart runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Kmart run a background check?
What was that like and was he or she successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
