Finding a job is a major challenge for felons just out of prison.
When looking for work, a felon who has experience in a pet supply store may want to apply at Petco.
This blog post will cover whether or not Petco runs background checks.
- What is Included in a Background Check?
- Petco Application
- Petco Background Check
- Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
- Tips for Getting a Job at Petco
Contents
What is Included in a Background Check?
Petco, 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 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 Petco even if they are now committed to living an honest lifestyle.
Often, they are still seen in a negative light by potential employers.
An employer may view:
- Credit reports
- Driving records
- Educational records
- Criminal offenses
Background information helps an employer to determine a candidate’s:
- Past mistakes
- Character
- Financial fitness
The criminal record review conducted with 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.
Petco Application
Petco is a national leader in the sale of pet-care products and was founded in 1965.
There are more than 1400 locations across the United States.
Among the available positions at Petco are:
- Sales associate
- Cashier
- Stock person
- Companion animal technician
- Dog groomer
- Aquatics specialist
- Warehouse worker
- Team leader
- Assistant store manager
- Store manager
Petco values employees who are passionate about animals, have good people skills, and are driven to grow in and advance their careers.
The company looks for workers who get satisfaction from supporting the relationships between pets and people.
Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED.
To get a job at Petco, an application must be completed which includes an assessment test.
An applicant must answer questions regarding:
- Personal details
- Work history
- Work availability
- References
A significant part of the Petco hiring process is the Petco assessment test.
There are two sections which include a personality and a situational judgment test.
The scores on these tests will determine whether or not an applicant is granted an in-person interview.
After reviewing the assessment results, Petco will call employees for an in-person interview.
Typically, it will be a phone call with a few questions, and an interview will then be granted.
The personality portion of the assessment looks at how an individual deals with pressure and the complexities of a given job.
The test looks for:
- Attitude toward work
- Communication skills
- Motivation
- Values related to success
The situational judgment test requires the resolution of a given conflict in a workplace.
This section is multiple choice, so several options are provided.
Petco Background Check
Petco conducts a background check on anyone who receives a job offer, looking for any felony conviction in the past seven years.
The company also looks at the severity of the crime and the amount of time elapsed since the conviction.
The Petco application indicates that employment may be contingent upon satisfactorily passing a job-related background check along with a drug and alcohol screening.
It also includes a section regarding whether a person has ever been convicted of or pled guilty to any criminal charge, including misdemeanors or felonies that are driving related.
It requests a response to a question about if a person is currently awaiting trial or has any active pending criminal offenses.
An applicant who resides in certain states may not be required to answer the questions regarding a criminal conviction.
There are specific restrictions for the following states:
- California
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Washington
Any answer regarding a criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify a person from employment.
Only those crimes which are substantially related to the position a person is seeking will be considered.
In addition to looking at criminal history, Petco conducts a drug test on anyone being considered for a position.
It is important for any applicant at Petco 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 Petco takes approximately one to two weeks.
Petco policy is to consider any felony conviction on a case-by-case basis.
Typically, Petco considers the amount of time (at least seven years) since the conviction as well as the:
- Nature of the crime
- Severity of the crime
- Relevance of the conviction
A background check is run for Petco to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Petco 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 Petco will allow a felon to know exactly what will be discovered when Petco does their review.
A felon with any questions can contact an attorney.
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 which will help 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 Petco
A few tips for getting hired at Petco include:
- Offer to work different hours
- Consider applying a various locations
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a job history with a current resume
- Be honest about all personal information and history
- Get there early for an interview
- Dress appropriately
- Be polite and respectful
- Use a firm handshake
- Speak up clearly and show enthusiasm
Whenever possible, applying in person allows an individual to talk directly to the manager at Petco.
This is another way a felon can increase their chances of being hired by being professional, enthusiastic, and responsible from the beginning.
It’s always a bad idea to lie about one’s past on an application.
This could result in not being considered for a job if Petco finds out about it.
A felon should highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job and focus on them during the interview.
He or she must also take responsibility for past actions and explain how he or she is putting his or her 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.
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 see him or herself in a different light, ready to establish an honest life.
Success in a new life begins with having support from family and friends.
What do you think about this blog post about whether Petco runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Petco run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
