The biggest challenge felons have after their release is finding a job.
A felon who has experience working in a restaurant may want to apply at Panera.
This blog post will cover whether or not Panera runs background checks.
- What is Included in a Background Check?
- Panera Application
- Panera Background Check
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- Tips for Getting a Job at Panera
Contents
What is Included in a Panera Background Check?
Employers like Panera 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 point is the biggest challenge for felons.
Their criminal history can be a problem when applying at Panera even if they’re committed to living an honest lifestyle.
An employer typically views:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer determine a candidate’s:
- Past mistakes
- Character
- Financial fitness
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.
Panera Application
Panera Bread is a bakery chain that opened in 1981.
The restaurant has more than 1,700 locations throughout the United States.
They emphasize meals prepared with fresh food and served by trained associates in a warm and pleasant environment.
Panera is committed to employee satisfaction, hiring team members regularly.
The company looks for enthusiastic, dedicated, hardworking employees who can adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
An applicant must be at least 18 years old to work at Panera and be a citizen of the U.S. with a legal right to work in this country.
Entry-level jobs at Panera are filled through short one-on-one interviews, which are typically conducted by a manager.
An in-person interview often lasts only 10 to 15 minutes and covers basic interview questions.
Interview questions are simple and straightforward. Questions cover basic information including:
- Availability
- Transportation
- Education
- Strengths
Additional questions in the interview include:
- Why did you decide to apply to Panera Bread?
- What part of your experience makes you a suitable candidate?
- Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?
- Could you tell me about something that you found particularly difficult to learn?
- Could you describe the time when you personally experienced excellent customer service?
Panera wants to know the applicant as a person and where they can work in the store to benefit the company as well as the potential employee.
Candidates with strong interaction skills and experience in the café market typically have an advantage over those without those skills.
Jobs at Panera include:
- Baker
- Café associate
- Team member
- Cashier
- Manager
- Assistant manager
- Maintenance technician
At the end of an online application is the request for an electronic signature.
Submitting a job application to Panera online allows the company to run background checks and a drug screening.
Panera Background Check
Panera does conduct a background check on anyone who may receive a job offer, looking for any felony conviction in the past seven years.
The company also conducts drug tests later in the hiring process.
A question on the application is: “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?
Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor or have you completed a period of incarceration or probation within the last five years?”
Conviction of a crime will not automatically disqualify someone from consideration.
If the answer to this question is yes, more details are requested.
Important information requested is:
- Number and nature of the offenses
- Date of conviction and sentence
- Date of completion of sentence
- Any related facts and circumstances regarding the offense
Panera Bread 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 convictions.
Many Panera Bread locations are franchises.
As such, it may be easier to land a position with a felony depending on the store manager and the location.
It’s important for any felon applicant at Panera to:
- Know his or her criminal history
- Answer all questions honestly
- Focus on their positive traits
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.
A routine background check at Panera takes one to two weeks.
A background check is run for Panera to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Panera by having his or her record expunged.
Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
Doing a background check on him or herself before applying at Panera will allow 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’s essential to act fast 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 to determine how financially responsible an individual is
- Driving records for any job involving driving
- 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 Panera
A few tips for getting hired at Panera include:
- Be flexible by offering to work different hours
- 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
- Have short, clean fingernails
- Dress appropriately in business casual
- Maintain eye contact while talking
- Be polite and respectful
- Use a firm handshake
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm for the position
Whenever possible, applying in person allows an individual to talk directly to the manager at Panera.
This improves a candidate’s chances of getting hired because the manager will remember them and be impressed with their enthusiasm.
It’s never a good idea to lie about one’s past on an application.
This could result in not being considered for a job if Panera finds out about it.
A felon should highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job.
Then, he or she should focus on those during the interview.
A felon needs to remember that he or she is not defined by his or her crime.
We are not defined by our mistakes but in how we recover from them.
He or she must be willing to seeing him or herself in a different light, ready to establish an honest life.
The best opportunity for success in a new life begins with having support from family and friends.
What do you think about this blog post about whether Panera runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Panera run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
