Is It Hard to Get a Job at Target with a Felony?

If you are a former felon, gaining employment might be difficult, since there is always a stigma about your background. But, do you still believe that you can turn around things for you and your family and lead a successful and happy life? Do you wish to leave behind those things that are still holding you back and break the shackles and move ahead with what you want?

Then, you are in the right spot looking at the right things. Getting a job, with a criminal background is not easy. But there are big conglomerates and organizations that are glad to look at you beyond your past and give you a chance!

Here, you will find out, if Target really hires Felons?

Company Overview

Target Corporation was founded by George Dayton in 1902 and headquartered in Minneapolis. The company is the 8th largest retailer in the U.S with a revenue of $75.356 billion (FY 2019). This chain store has a wide array of product segments to choose from, ranging from beauty and health to toys, and games. Target currently operates more than 1,800 stores across the country and employs approximately 360,000 people in its departments.

Job Profiles at Target

Target wants to make sure their customers enjoy great service. To this end, it puts in lots of effort to recruit the right person for the job. If you are wondering whether you stand a chance with a criminal record to land a job at Target, the answer is yes. There are multiple entry-level jobs that you can look out for.

There are customer-facing jobs like cashier, sales floor member, beauty team member, attendant, electronic department member, sales representative, sales associate, call center representative, retail customer service representative, apparel associate, floor supervisor, electronics associate,  and consumables associate; to name a few.

There are also back end jobs like unloader, warehouse worker, stocker, backroom associate, packer or logistics team member.

Most of these entry-level positions do not require higher education. The average salary range for the jobs is from $9.29 per hour for a food preparation worker to $26.00 per hour for a learning and development consultant. You can see some of the jobs and their average salaries in the table below for reference.

Will Target Hire You?

As you already know, Target doesn’t shy away from giving felons a chance. Target also hires people with a misdemeanor. However, this depends on different cases. Usually, it depends on how long your felony has been and what it was. According to some sources, they certainly don’t accept ex-felons on charges like assault, sex crimes, and robbery, while DUI and drug crimes can still be accepted.

Target believes in diversity, inclusiveness and makes sure that everyone is given the same platform to move ahead in life. It believes in recruiting sincere, dedicated and talented staff members to do the required job irrespective of their past criminal history. Target puts in efforts to understand the impact of a person’s criminal record on their ability to seek employment.

Ban The Box Initiative

Ban-the-box is a campaign for the removal of a checkbox asking criminal history from applications by civil rights groups. In line with this campaign, Target made the crucial decision of removing the conviction question from the initial application form in October 2013.  It got finalized in June 2014 and so the company now does not ask about previous criminal history thereby minimizing the risk of discrimination against felons. By doing this, their managers who conduct the interviews don’t get swayed by the applicant’s criminal background until the interview stage.

Fair Chance Business Pledge

In accordance with this pledge, Target ensures that all individuals have equal opportunity to succeed by removing unnecessary barriers that may prevent individuals with a criminal background to gain access to employment with a fair chance.

Hence, Target does not ask for your criminal history during the initial application process. However, age, type of conviction, number of convictions in one’s record, no further violation of sentences plays a crucial role in getting the job that you desire.

Only those that really pose a threat to the integrity and operations of the organization or the customers are excluded from hiring. Besides, Target does not have special programs for hiring Ex-convicts.

Does Target Do Background Checks?

Yes, Target does do background checks on all potential employees. Although Target doesn’t really ask for details of your criminal record during the initial process of recruitment, a complete review is part of their hiring decisions.

A background check will not necessarily disqualify you. It is rather a way of making sure that the right person is given an opportunity without affecting the ethos as well as the brand name of the company.

Besides, the policy on felony records will vary by state. Some states keep felony records for only seven years but other states keep them without a limit on the number of years. In these states, it is difficult for a former felon to find employment.

It is also really important for you to understand these background checks. Background checks are usually done for the last 7 years. If your offense was earlier than 7 years, then your chances of finding employment are good. Hence, if you are well into the 6th year, it is better to wait for a year and apply for the jobs later.

As mentioned before, felonies related to theft and sex will be very difficult to get a job at Target.

How to Get Hired at Target with a Criminal Record?

1. Online Application Versus Walk-In

First of all, make an important decision on whether you are going to apply online or are going to visit in person? The latter is always better because you get a chance to talk with the person who will be hiring you. More importantly, you observe how they work and get a feel for the workplace you are aiming to join in the future.

2. Observe a Formal Dress Code and Keep a Positive Mindset

Dress and groom yourself well when you visit the store for your application or interview. Also, keep a positive and upbeat attitude and a happy mindset. If you have a tattoo, then cover them up the best you can until you get to know about Target’s Tattoo policy. You can do this by talking to employees who already work at the store you wish to apply.

3. Prepare a Good Resume

Prepare a well-written and formatted resume, listing everything that could help in getting you a job. You mustn’t lie on your resume. You may get away with a few small lies during the initial screening. However, when they do a background check, your lies will most likely be revealed. This will most certainly prevent you from getting a job at Target. Hence, be sure to only include the complete truth in your resume. Apart from that, get all the related documents necessary for the interview process ready and take them with you.

4. Match Your Skills

If you don’t have any previous experience in the area that you want to apply, just don’t give up. Try to match the skills that you acquired while serving time with positions available. After that, you can always learn additional skills to cater for future development needs.

Learn to develop time-management and organizational skills. In the long run, these skills will help in your career prospects. Take an online course related to the skills that you had mentioned in your resume to get certified.

5. Highlight Your Abilities to Work With Teams

Highlight your abilities as a team player to the recruiter. This is important as most entry-level positions require that you work in a team. Showcase your ability to turn things around for your team as well as for yourself.

6. Prepare for Possible Questions

Search in different employment Facebook groups or any other available sources for interview questions asked previously at Target and decide how you are going to answer them and prepare in advance.

Show the recruiter your interest in working for them. You can also ask questions about your position for more details.

7. Provide Honest Background Information

Be honest about your background during the interview and let the recruiter know that you are more than willing to leave your past behind and move ahead in life. Tell them how you have changed and what you are willing to do for the organization if recruited.

Make sure you are honest with the information you’ve provided on your resume. Highlight to the recruiters how you have evolved after your felony. Also, tell them the plans and ideas you have for improving yourself in the future.

In short, you can get hired at Target! After doing everything right, if you still find yourself without a job, do not lose heart. Keep trying! These steps you have taken will help you with other employers too.

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