In the United States or any other developed country, it is hard for individuals who have felony charges on their record or have done jail time to get back to working in a standard position in society. Although the government is trying to create a workspace that supports hiring felons, especially the ones with minor charges so that they would not focus on things that would give them another charge. Many employers can hire felons with minor records like drug use or sale and work experiences in retail, marketing, etc. Although, not all felons get back to work. In this article we will see about Does Dollar General hire Felons?
Does Dollar General hire Felons?
Yes, Dollar General retail company can hire felons with experience in retail and customer service, although it would be harder compared to an individual with no felony conviction. If you want to work in any Dollar General store, you have to fill out their online application and answer all questions correctly. One of the questions in the application asks “Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain.” if your charge does not discredit your work, then Dollar General may call for a physical interview.
Dollar General Hiring Process
Dollar General follow a strategic procedure when hiring their employees to pick competent individuals for the job.
Online Application
Before proceeding to fill out the application form, potential applicants must fulfill the following conditions:
- You must be 18 years or older
- You must be a citizen of the United States or an eligible noncitizen.
Once you meet the above requirement, you can proceed to fill out the online application form. Although there are entry-level positions in Dollar General company, retail experience may be of advantage if you have been convicted before. In the online application form, Dollar General would want to know your past working experience and your educational highlights. It also has a personal assessment section where you may be asked some background questions and other questions involving your characteristics.
The Interview
If you fulfill the online application requirements for a certain position in Dollar General, they will call you for a physical interview. The interview is to discover more about your traits and how you can contribute to the company’s development, no matter your department. For a candidate vying for the position of a customer service representative, Dollar General would want to know if you are a good orator and what customer service means to you. What you know about the company, your cheerfulness and your responsive ability also count.
Points to note during the interview:
- Not everyone is going to be hired, you can only do your best and hope.
- Learn about important business highlights before coming for your interview
- Come with a physical resume, as you will present it during the interview.
- Know the mission and the work ethic of Dollar General company, as you may be asked during the interview.
Background Review
If Dollar General finds you fit for employment, the company does a background review before sending you an appointment letter. The review is to determine if all the answers you gave in the application form and the interview correlates with your information in the national database. Dollar General also conducts a background review to check if the potential employee has had any felony convictions and to determine if it could affect the company.
Although Dollar General company believes in giving every individual a fair opportunity, they also wish to employ individuals of integrity who would uphold their reputation and maintain progress in the company. So, if all your information checks out and there is nothing to worry about, you have the job.
Factors to consider when hiring a Felon
Dollar General, alongside other legitimate companies, would consider important factors when hiring a felon to ensure that they are not putting the lives of other employees in danger.
Number of Crimes/Convictions
As a felon, the number of criminal convictions on your record matters, as employers want to know if you have a long history of criminal records. An individual who has only one criminal conviction might have a better shot at employment than someone who has seven convictions since being a juvenile. This information helps them determine if they can trust with their work and how much they might be risking with you in the company. It may sound harsh, but there are customers, stocks, and employees to protect.
Jail Time and Free Time
Your jail time matters, as well as the length of time you stayed free of crime since you were released. If you stayed in jail for fifteen years, you are coming into a new environment with significant changes from your prison space, and when you first got incarcerated. If they need you can cope with the changes, then you deserve a chance, especially if you were working in prison. The length of time you have stayed out of prison is also worth considering because it shows how much effort you have put in trying to live a more promising life.
Type of Felony
The type of felony is a major consideration, as it can easily dissuade companies from hiring or even considering an individual. For instance, felons with minor drug convictions and robbery or assault charges may be considered as most citizens of the United States may have gotten involved with drugs at one point in their lives. But, serious charges like a sexual offense, an aggravated assault, or murder can instantly abolish any chance of getting employed, especially when you have to deal with customers that know your conviction.
Conclusion
In Dollar General, customers and consumers are important as they are a major part of the company’s growth. This is why the company’s hiring process involves consideration of all factors
and background checks before hiring any individual. Dollar General can hire felons, but they will not tolerate all types of felonies, especially serious convictions, as their job is to protect the employees, the stocks, and the customers.
FAQs
Can Dollar General consider hiring a felon with petty theft charges?
It depends on the position the individual is vying for and the number of petty theft charges. If you have a long history of petty theft then Dollar General can not employ you to work as a storekeeper or a distributor. For felons with robbery and forgery convictions, Dollar General will not employ you to work as a Cashier.
