A felon encounters many challenges after being released from prison, the biggest of which is finding a job.
In looking for work, a felon who has experience working in a retail clothing store might want to apply at Old Navy.
This blog post will cover whether or not Old Navy runs background checks.
- What Is Included in a Background Check?
- Old Navy Application
- Old Navy Background Check
- Tips for Getting a Job at Old Navy
Contents
What Is Included in a Background Check?
Old Navy, like many other companies, reviews an applicant’s background to avoid hiring 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 even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer like Old Navy 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.
Old Navy is owned by the Gap and is one of the top fashion retail stores that provides clothing and accessories for men, women, teens, and children.
Old Navy was founded in 1994 and was named after a bar in Paris, France.
Old Navy’s headquarters is in San Francisco, California.
The first Old Navy store was opened in 1993 with the name of Gap Warehouse.
There are currently more than 1,100 Old Navy stores in the U.S., employing over 65,000 individuals.
Old Navy is looking for individuals who are personable and engaging.
The minimum age to work at Old Navy is 16 years old.
In order to apply for a job at Old Navy, an applicant must create an account on the Old Navy website.
The first question will be to agree to a background check as part of the application process.
Required personal information includes:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Education
- Work history
- Qualifications
- Availability
- Three professional references who are not related to you
Typical entry-level positions at Old Navy include:
- “Sellebrity”
- Stock specialist
- Merchandising specialist
- Pricing specialist
- Merchandising manager
- How can you benefit our company?
In order to be hired at the Old Navy, an applicant must go through at least one job interview.
This may be a face to face interview or a group interview.
There may be a one-on-one interview with an HR representative and a store manager.
The Old Navy application is composed of two sections: personal information and an assessment.
The assessment helps Old Navy determine whether the candidate is a good fit for the company.
The first part of the assessment describes a scene and asks what action an applicant would take.
The second part of the assessment asks questions about work, education, and performance.
There may be a question about how many times an applicant was late in the last year or how many times an applicant reported someone for stealing or cheating.
The third part of the assessment includes questions about how an applicant might behave at work to determine compatibility with the company.
Anyone that Old Navy may be interested in hiring will be scheduled for an interview.
Typical interview questions include:
- What would you do if you witnessed someone stealing?
- How would you handle any price discrepancy?
- Why should we hire you?
- How would you handle an upset customer?
- What would your friends say about you?
- What inspires you?
- Do you prefer working alone or in a team?
- Do you have any experience and retail?
During the application process, Old Navy will request permission to perform a pre-employment background check.
Not consenting to the background check will terminate the application.
A background check is run at Old Navy to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
There is no stated company policy regarding hiring felons.
In cases like these, it may mean that being hired for a position with that company with a criminal conviction may be difficult.
Nevertheless, a company such as Old Navy cannot simply refuse to hire someone because of a felony conviction.
This would constitute discrimination.
An applicant can be turned down if there is a position-related reason for doing so or if hiring someone would affect safety or security within the company.
A background check at Old Navy may vary from one location to another.
This is because states have somewhat different laws about how long ago a background check can investigate.
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Old Navy by having his or her record expunged.
In addition to having his or her criminal record expunged, suggestions for a felon to increase his or her chances to be hired at Old Navy are:
- Be flexible and willing to work various hours
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a current resume outlining job skills
- Be honest about all personal information and history
- Arrive early for an interview
- Dress appropriately
- Be polite and respectful
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm
Don’t hide the fact that he or she has a felony conviction if it comes up.
Instead, explain the facts about the conviction, excluding 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 Old Navy 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 he or she is putting 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 Old Navy runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Old Navy run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
