With so many Dollar General stores around the country, there’s bound to be one in almost every neighborhood, which is why so many job seekers consider Dollar General when looking for work.
If you’re looking for a job but have a felony on your record, you might be asking, will Dollar General hire me? I’ve done some research on whether or not Dollar General employs people with felons, so you don’t have to! Here’s everything I discovered!
Does Dollar General Hire Felons In [currentyear]?
Dollar General hires felons, though this depends on the nature of the crime as of [currentyear]. A violent crime or theft may disqualify a job seeker from working at Dollar General. Also, all job applicants must undergo a background check and drug test before Dollar General hires them.
Read on if you want to know more about getting hired at Dollar General with a felony. You’ll find all the information you need below!
Can You Get Hired At Dollar General With A Felony?
Even if you have a felony, you can get hired at Dollar General. However, it does depend on the nature of the felony.
No matter what, if there’s a felony in your record, the hiring manager at Dollar General will ask you about it during your interview.
Also, if you have a felony, you may have to give a verbal or written statement or both about the conviction for Dollar General’s records.
Further, certain types of crimes like theft or violence can completely disqualify you from working at Dollar General.
What Does Dollar General Look For In A Background Check?
All job applicants at Dollar General have to undergo a background check before hiring them.
Like other employers, Dollar General uses the background check to confirm that all the information on your application is correct and check for a criminal record.
At Dollar General, the background checks usually take about one week to complete.
Also, remember that even if Dollar General finds a felony during your background check, that doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting a job.
What Do You Do If You Have A Felony On Your Record?
As previously mentioned, if you’re looking for a job at Dollar General, but there’s a felony on your record, you may still be able to get hired.
With that, you can even do a few things to improve your chances of getting hired if you have a felony.
First off, you can make sure to apply for a position where the felony won’t matter as much.
For example, if you apply for entry-level positions like a sales associate or stocker, you have a better chance of getting hired.
With an entry-level position, you can build a job history with Dollar General to help you move up in the company.
Also, it’s best to prepare to explain your felony charges, as the Dollar General hiring manager will ask you about it during the interview.
Fortunately, we have a few tips to better prepare for your Dollar General interview (see below).
Finally, you can try and get the felony expunged from your record, so it doesn’t hold up your future progress.
Still, keep in mind that not all types of felonies can be expunged.
How Does Dollar General Evaluate A Felony On Your Record?
When you fill out the job application at Dollar General, one of the questions it asks is: “Have you ever been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation? If so, please explain.”
Even if the answer is yes, Dollar General might hire you if the felony wasn’t a crime that would affect your job performance.
If you’re qualified for the job, the hiring manager may call you for an interview, which is when you can explain the conviction.
Naturally, having only a single felony on your record looks better than having multiple crimes.
Additionally, Dollar General might ask you for references from other employers to understand your character in the workplace better.
But, a conviction for a violent crime, theft, or fraud will likely disqualify an applicant from a job at Dollar General.
How To Prepare For An Interview At Dollar General With A Felony
Remember, even if you have a felony on your record, Dollar General might hire you! But, there are certain steps to take to better your chances for employment.
First, bring a current resume to the job interview highlighting all relevant experience. By bringing in a resume, it shows Dollar General that you are serious about getting a job.
When asked about the felony, you should explain that you have learned from your past mistakes.
Essentially, it’s best to be as open and honest as possible while explaining your past.
Further, it’s best to briefly explain what happened and then move on to how you have rebuilt your life afterward.
Also, you should bring a written explanation of the felony in the form of a letter that you can leave with the interviewer.
On top of that, you can attach copies of awards, certifications, diplomas, and letters of reference, especially concerning your character, to the letter.
At the interview, you will be asked questions about your availability and have a better chance of getting hired if you’re willing to work whatever days the store needs.
With that, Dollar General stores are open seven days a week, and one of the major concerns for hiring managers is maintaining staffing levels.
Does Dollar General Drug Test?
Dollar General has a strict policy of no alcohol or drug use at work and drug tests employees to ensure they’re following this rule.
Further, job applicants have to pass a drug test before Dollar General hires them. Still, store employees also have to be drug tested periodically.
To know more, you can also see our posts on whether or not Dollar General drug test, if Dollar General does background checks, and the Dollar General termination policy.
Conclusion
Dollar General does hire felons, though it depends on the nature of the crime.
So, if you have the necessary qualifications for the job, having a felony won’t disqualify you from getting an interview.
With that, you should be prepared to give both verbal and written explanations about the felony at the interview.
Further, the verbal and written explanations should focus on how you have learned from your mistakes and how you have rebuilt your life after.
