People charged with criminal offenses often face difficulties when they try to land a job. Despite the common attitude towards employing felons, there are firms that do not differentiate against those with a criminal background. FedEx, the multinational courier delivery company, is one of them. They certainly provide opportunities to felons but subject to conditions. Head to the next section for the steps to obtain a job at FedEx.
Company Overview
FedEx headquarters is in Memphis, Tennessee. FedEx is known across the US for its overnight shipping service. They are a reliable and premium courier service provider globally. FedEx is one of the pioneers in introducing a system that could track packages and provide real-time updates on their locations. Today, almost every shipping company has used this system to manage its freight.
FedEx reported earnings of $4.572 billion, with revenue of $65.450 billion in 2018, making it one of the most renowned companies in America today. It ranked No. 50 in the 2018 Fortune 500 list of the largest United States corporations by total revenue, cementing its place as a mainstay in the American economy. With a wide portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services, it is one of the companies with great potential for growth in the coming years.
Over the years, FedEx has diversified its business and has entered several new avenues, from SmartPost, Logistics to Customs Brokerage, and Customer Relations. They constantly strive to deliver the best service to customers without compromises. They compete collectively and are managed collaboratively under the same brand, FedEx.
By 2018, they have hired more than 425,000 employees to work in many different positions. With the current growth rate, the company’s human resource demand is very high. This is an advantage for you to get a job at this company.
Jobs at FedEx
FedEx provides you with several opportunities in fields ranging from construction, management, driving to installation, and maintenance. You can choose from a variety of roles such as a laborer, equipment operator, operations manager, or a truck driver. You can also work as a package handler who helps with loading parcels.
The salaries vary based on the type of job and range from $14.05 per hour for a warehouse worker to a very respectable $71,151 per year on average for a tanker driver. You can see the average salary of some jobs in the table below.
| Job | Salary (per hour) |
|---|---|
| Warehouse Worker | $14.02 |
| Package Handler | $14.17 |
| Laborer | $14.39 |
| Tanker Driver | $31.72 |
| Delivery Driver | $14.91 |
| Freight Handler | $16.45 |
| Material Handler | $14.52 |
| Forklift Operator | $17.85 |
| Sort Manager | $11.5 |
| Order Picker | $10.64 |
| Repair Technician | $12.58 |
| Shop Technician | $29.27 |
| Customer Service Representative | $15.29 |
| Cashier | $9.98 |
FedEx takes great pride in paying their employees the best possible pay rates in the market, a great work-life balance, and a friendly work environment. They provide all employees with equal opportunities to grow.
Will FedEx Hire You?
As a global delivery company that sends and receives packages of importance, FedEx offers employment opportunities at every stage of the journey. As an employee working with FedEx, you have job security, a solid work-life balance, and other benefits.
The nature of the position you occupy in the company determined by whether your job may or may not require a great deal of interaction with customers. FedEx pays a great deal of attention to who they employ for this very reason.
FedEx has stated that the existence of a criminal record is not a bar to employment. Your criminal record will be carefully and thoroughly reviewed. The timing and the nature of the offense will be considered with other relevant information before making a decision. As an equal opportunity employer, FedEx Office will consider applicants with criminal records in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Chance Ordinance. This means that employers will not ask you about your conviction records until after a conditional offer of employment.
Does FedEx Do Background Checks?
A job application form often asks for details of the person’s criminal records. Some believed that this created a divide against felons and started a “Ban the Box” campaign. Fortunately, FedEx does not ask you about your criminal history on their employment application. This guarantees ex-felons an equal opportunity to compete with their peers. This indicates that FedEx is not discriminatory towards those with criminal records. All of FedEx’s potential employees have to go through background tests. These checks will be conducted following state laws.
Background Checks in Different States
Several states only perform a background check that goes back up to a period of seven years. These states do not consider convictions older than seven years. focus on these states if your records are older than that. FedEx also will not consider your felony record in such states.
Some states do not include not-guilty verdicts and only show the convictions you were found guilty. But unfortunately, some states show everything on their background checks. These include the charges you were convicted and the charges you were found not guilty. Chances of getting hired in such states would be lower.
The selection for a particular post often depends on what sort of crime you had committed in the past. For example, if you had committed money-related felonies, you may not get jobs that need to deal with financial information. Those with violence-related felonies like assault may face challenges if a job requires to interact with customers.
FedEx employees usually deal with valuable items, so if you have multiple theft convictions, you may have a harder time than others gaining employment. You will also have plenty of contact with the public; therefore, FedEx may want to be more cautious. So if you are looking for a delivery job, you may not stand a good chance of succeeding because of your high-risk crimes in the past. But don’t worry, there are still jobs that don’t require interaction with customers at FedEx.
Finally, FedEx also performs drug tests as a part of their hiring process.
Why Does FedEx Perform Background Checks?
FedEx takes pride in being a company that provides its employees with an equal footing by not discriminating on how people have been in the past. But it also needs to protect the reputation that it has garnered over the years, by selecting the appropriate persons to work in their company. Therefore, regardless of their backgrounds, be it one with criminal offenses or not, potential employees have to go through the same procedure to land a job.
These checks also guarantee the safety of other members and consumers. In addition to the background checks, there will be a drug test also for prospective candidates. The drug test is performed after they called you for an interview. It will be conducted at a designated facility where you will undergo a swab test or a urine test.
Prepare for Hiring at FedEx
1. Due Diligence Before Applying
Ensure that your criminal record will not disqualify you from working at FedEx. Look at the rules and regulations that deal with employing people with criminal records based on where you are applying. Once you find out that you are indeed eligible for the post, you may proceed. Keep in mind that laws vary from state to state. Some may be more forgiving than others, do consider them.
2. Match Your Qualifications
Different jobs require employees to have different skills to handle obstacles that they may face. This includes your academic qualifications and the skills that you bring to the table. Do some research into whether you meet all the requirements for that particular post. Your odds of getting in will improve significantly if you already have prior experience.
3. Keep Your Resume Updated
Like most companies, FedEx’s hiring process is all done online. Update your resume and your cover letter to provide your interviewers with all the necessary information about yourself. A well-planned job letter could mean the difference between a rejection and a hire. It should showcase your skills and show them how you would be useful for the job that you’re applying for. Be honest about your skillset, and you’ll land a job suited to your area of interest.
4. Practice
Practice a few basic interview questions with a friend. Some common questions are:
- Why do you want to work for this company?
- How can you bring value to the company?
- Why should we hire you?
5. Prepare Well for The Interview
The company will inform candidates of when their interview will take place after they shortlist candidates based on their resume and cover letter. Before you attend the interview, learn everything you need to know about FedEx, their core values and their goals for the future. This will give you a chance to convince your interviewers of your capabilities. You can speak about your behavior while serving time, and make them understand that you are ready to start over. Be confident, and show them why they should hire you and what sets you apart from the competition.
6. Be Candid About Your Background
The interview is your chance to explain your criminal record. Each hire is based on a case-by-case basis, so use the opportunity to own up to your mistakes and to reassure them that you are ready to be a part of their team. FedEx is a company that is willing to give ex-felons a second chance. Use the interview opportunity to convince them that you are a worthy investment.
7. Stick To a Formal Dress Code
Be ready to make a positive impression. You must look like a professional as you enter the room. Make sure you wear appropriate clothing and groom yourself accordingly.
FedEx does not distinguish between ex-felons and those who have not committed a criminal offense. Therefore, you have a great chance to get a job at one of the most recognized brands in America. The best way forward is to land a job somewhere at the base of the corporate chain and then progress towards more enticing options within the company. Don’t let the past hold you back. Do your best and make the most of the opportunity!
>>> Click Here to Apply for Available Jobs at FedEx