Does Walgreens Run Background Checks?

Finding a job is difficult enough, but for felons it is an even bigger challenge. When looking for work, a felon who has experience in a retail store may want to apply at Walgreens.

This blog post will cover whether or not Walgreens runs background checks.

• What is Included in a Background Check?
• Walgreens Application
• Walgreens Background Check
• Can You Run a Background Check on Yourself?
• Tips for Getting a Job at Walgreens

What is Included in a Background Check?

Employers like Walgreens 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 question is the biggest challenge for felons. Their criminal history can be a problem when applying at Walgreens even if they’re now committed to living an honest lifestyle.

An employer may view:

• Credit reports
• Driving records
• Educational records
• Criminal offenses

Background information helps an employer like Walgreens to 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. This includes 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.

Walgreens Application

Walgreens is a retail store specializing in health, beauty, and daily living supplies along with offering a pharmacy. It was founded in Chicago in 1901, and currently there are more than 8,000 stores throughout the United States. An applicant must be at least 18 years old to work at Walgreens.

An application at Walgreens begins online by creating an account. Basic information including zip code, Social Security number, and email address will be required. In addition to personal information, the application focuses on employment history and references.

Positions at Walgreens include:

• Service clerks
• Photo specialists
• Beauty advisers
• Health and wellness guides
• Shift leaders
• Pharmacy technicians
• Pharmacists
• Distribution center workers

The application process involves:

• Online application
• Personality test
• Math and word problems
• In-store skills assessment test
• In-person interview

Walgreen’s Background Check

Yes, Walgreens does conduct a background check.

They will request permission to perform a criminal background check and a pre-employment drug test on any applicant being considered for a job offer with special attention to any felony conviction in the past seven years.

Walgreens won’t deny an application because of a felony. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Important factors are:

• Length of time since completion of the sentence
• Type of felony conviction
• Whether it was a violent or nonviolent felony
• The hiring manager’s personal views and opinions
• Being honest about any felony conviction

It’s important for any felon applicant at Walgreens to:

• Know his or her criminal history
• Answer all questions honestly
• 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 consent to a background check. A routine background check at Walgreens takes approximately one week.

A background check is run for Walgreens to protect itself, its employees, and its customers. A felon would have the best chance at getting a job at Walgreens 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 Walgreens will allow a felon to know exactly what will be discovered when Walgreens does their review.

A felon with any questions can contact an attorney. It’s essential to take action 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 which helps 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 Walgreens

A few tips at getting hired at Walgreens include:

• Be flexible and willing to work different hours
• Consider applying 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
• 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 should explain the facts about that conviction without being 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 Walgreen’s finds out about it. A felon should instead highlight skills and abilities that qualify him or her for the job. He or she can then focus on highlighting these during the interview.

Additionally, he or she should 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 Walgreens 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.

What do you think about this blog post about whether Walgreens runs background checks? Have you or someone you know had Walgreens run a background check? What was that like and were they successful in being hired? Please tell us in the comments below.