When looking for work following release from prison, a felon who has experience with renting vehicles may want to apply for a job at Hertz.
This blog post will cover whether or not Hertz runs background checks.
- What is Included in a Background Check?
- Hertz Application
- Hertz Background Check
- Does Hertz Run Background Checks for Car Rentals?
- An Opportunity for Felons?
- Tips for Getting a Job at Hertz
Contents
What is Included in a Background Check?
Hertz, 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 question 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 will typically view such information as:
- 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 Hertz to identify hiring risks for security and safety issues for the company.
Hertz Application
Hertz is a car and equipment rental company that operates worldwide.
The company was founded in 1918 and has its headquarters in New Jersey.
It’s run through Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. with four areas of operation:
- S. car rental
- International car rental
- Worldwide equipment rental
- All other operations
Hertz rents and leases cars, trucks, and crossover vehicles under the Hertz, Dollar, Thrifty, and Firefly names.
They use an in-person interview process to screen applicants.
The interview consists of a face-to-face meeting lasting around 30 minutes.
Most interview questions concern customer service skills. Some questions may be:
- What is a difficult sales experience you had at a previous job?
- How did you handle it?
- How do you define customer service?
Hertz looks to hire energetic and enthusiastic workers.
The company emphasizes customer care to focus on customer satisfaction.
It’s important to show gratitude for the interview opportunity and express a desire to work with the rental industry leader.
Typical entry positions available include:
- Counter sales
- Flexible service
- Domestic reservations agent
- Auto technician
- Field service mechanic
- Vehicle service attendant
- Courtesy bus driver
- Claims clerk
Hertz requires applicants to have a high school diploma or a GED and be at least 18 years old to work for them.
Hertz Background Check
Hertz does run background checks. Following a job interview, an applicant who is being considered is subject to a thorough background check and drug screening.
An applicant will be told that there will be a background check before proceeding and asked for permission to conduct it. A typical background check at Hertz takes approximately one week.
The background check is run for Hertz to protect itself, its employees, and its customers.
Hertz stated policy for hiring felons is as follows:
“All of our positions are handled in the same manner. We hire anyone who discloses any misdemeanors or felonies on an application as long as those charges don’t infringe on our hiring guidelines. These matters are handled on a case-by-case basis, but there is leniency depending on the time of the misconduct.”
Typically, Hertz will consider the amount of time since the conviction as well as the nature, severity, and relevance of the conviction.
A background check at Hertz may vary from one location to another.
This is because states have somewhat different laws about how long ago a background check can investigate.
Applying in-person and explaining any felony convictions in person is better than filling out an application and submitting it online.
A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Hertz by having his or her record expunged.
Does Hertz Run Background Checks for Car Rentals?
Every rental car company keeps a “Do Not Rent To” list.
Typically, a person ends up on this list after an incident with a rental car, although this can also be due to a poor driver history in other cars.
When renting a car, a person is asked for his or her driver’s license, primarily for identity verification and to ensure that the license is valid.
Rental car companies are not legally required to run driver record checks.
There are two issues that will cause a driver to be rejected by every rental car company, including Hertz:
- Having a requirement on the driver’s license for an ignition interlock device due to repeat DUIs
- Getting caught using a fake ID
Hertz checks customers’ driving records through the Department of Motor Vehicle databases.
At the time of rental, a renter or authorized driver may be subject to an electronic DMV check for the state that issued the driver’s license.
The renter must have a valid driver’s license that is not currently:
- Suspended
- Expired
- Revoked
- Canceled
- Surrendered
Typical reasons for denying rental through Hertz include:
- Invalid license
- Vehicular crime
- High numbers of accidents
- Extensive tickets
Tips for Getting a Job at Hertz
Having a confident attitude and a cheerful demeanor are important.
Suggestions for a felon to increase his or her chances to be hired at Hertz are:
- Be flexible and willing to work various hours
- Have reliable references
- Be ready to provide a current resume
- 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
A felon shouldn’t hide the fact that he or she has a felony conviction if it comes up.
Instead, he or she needs to explain the facts about the conviction without getting emotional.
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 Hertz finds out about it.
A felon should instead highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job, and focus on those during the interview.
A felon must be willing to see 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 Hertz runs background checks?
Have you or someone you know had Hertz run a background check?
What was that like and were they successful in being hired?
Please tell us in the comments below.
