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If you’ve ever had an interest in working for a well-known company that impacts not only industries but individual lives, then we want to bring you some information about Dow Chemical. More importantly, we want to answer the question: Does Dow Chemical hire felons?
We’re going to get into that today, as well as some other important questions you may have about the company, like:
- What kind of entry-level jobs do they have?
- Does Dow Chemical do background checks?
- Does Dow Chemical drug test employees?
- Are certain felony convictions going to keep me from getting a job?
- Does Dow Chemical hire people with misdemeanors?
We asked Dow Chemical directly about their hiring policies so we could bring you the most accurate information possible. At Relaunch Pad, we want to make sure you are armed with the information you need to gain employment and get back on your feet. Now, let’s hear about how to get a job at Dow Chemical with a felony.
Does Dow Chemical hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
We asked Dow Chemical directly about their policies for hiring those with felony convictions. Their Candidate Care Department responded, saying they had no specific policy regarding hiring felons and that it depends on the applicant. Essentially, it’s done on a case-by-case basis.
Have they hired felons in the past?
When asked if they have hired felons in the past, they responded, “Yes. Dow is an equal opportunity employer.”
Does Dow Chemical hire people with misdemeanors?
They did not say directly, but since they have hired felons in the past, we are certain they’ve also hired those with misdemeanor convictions.
Is Dow Chemical on the Ban the Box list?
You may have heard about two initiatives that work to end workplace discrimination against those with a criminal record — the Ban the Box campaign and the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
Ban the Box has been successful in convincing many businesses and government agencies to remove criminal history questions from their applications. The Fair Chance Business Pledge actively works to encourage employers to give more opportunities to those with a record.
Dow Chemical does not ask about a person’s criminal history on their application.
Does Dow Chemical have any special programs for hiring felons?
Dow Chemical said they do not have any special programs focused towards hiring felons, but that doesn’t mean you won’t find local assistance. Check with your local unemployment office and area job placement agencies. They usually have good knowledge of all opportunities available to those with convictions.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
We think your odds are average that you will get hired at Dow Chemical with a felony. We base this on two things. First, Dow said they have hired those with felony convictions in the past, but that does not mean they do so regularly. In our research, we found many people said that the company does not hire felons.
What are some entry-level jobs?
We want you to know that Dow Chemical owns many smaller companies, so there are a variety of entry-level jobs here. Some of these revolve around agriculture, roofing and pesticides.
Browsing through the Dow Chemical job portal, you may be confused at first when looking at some of the job titles. Some of them may not seem like entry-level jobs. It’s true that Dow Chemical has many jobs that require a high level of education, but they still have some great entry-level jobs:
- Maintenance technicians
- Chemical operator
- Plant operator
- Logistics technician
All of those jobs require a high school diploma or a GED, however. A few require some experience, but they don’t say that the experience has to be in a chemical-related field.
How to get hired at Dow Chemical with a felony
Getting a job anywhere with a felony is tough, so we like to ask companies about how former felons should approach getting hired. When we asked Dow Chemical, they said:
“Apply online on the website just like any other applicant. It’s on a case-by-case basis and not limited to any position or department.”
Getting a job at Dow Chemical starts online. Search for a job that you’re interested in and that you meet the qualifications for. You will have to create an online profile through their job portal to begin the application process. The first thing you’ll be asked is: Do you want to upload a resume?
Now that we mention it, do you even have a resume? If you don’t, or if yours needs improving, we want you to check out the guide we made that can help you make your resume incredible.
You can use your life experiences, even your time in prison, as learning experiences. Think about any classes you took while you were locked up. Those, along with jobs you held, gave you real-world experience.
In prison, there are plenty of opportunities for growth. Think about the jobs you may have held. If you were a kitchen worker, you learned to work with a team and the importance of deadlines. If you worked in maintenance, you gained repair skills you can carry over to jobs at Dow Chemical.
There are many things to keep in mind if you’re asked to come in for an interview. Many of the following will be valuable when you’re going in for an interview in any job:
- Wear some fresh-looking clothes
- Get a haircut
- Groom any facial hair you have
- Cover visible tattoos
- Brush your teeth
- Wear deodorant
Practice answering interview questions in front of the mirror before you go. Do you have a way to record yourself? If you do, record your answers and listen to the playback. Nothing will prepare you more than practice.
Be ready to talk about your criminal history. They may not ask, but be prepared if they do. This is your chance to explain your charges and talk about how you’re ready to get a fresh start.
Does Dow Chemical do background checks?
Dow Chemical told us that they do perform background checks after they extend an offer of employment.
Here’s what you need to know about background checks:
If you are lucky enough to live in one of the states below, then you may not have to worry about a background check. In these states, they only go back seven years:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
*sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.
In other states, they have decided to show only charges you were convicted of. These states leave off charges where you were found not guilty:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
Still, there are some states that show everything on their background checks. This includes charges in which you were found not guilty. Here are those states:
- Alabama
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- DC
- Delaware
- Florida
- Idaho
- Indiana (extensive check)
- Iowa
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
Company ratings
So, now you know how to get a job at Dow Chemical with a felony, but what do people actually say about working there. Dow Chemical has a rating of 3.7 out of a possible 5 stars on the website glassdoor.com, and 76% of people say they would recommend working there to a friend.
Most people loved the flexible schedule and the work-life balance. People also like the availability of jobs within the company and said that you can change positions if you are not happy with the one you are in.
Complaints about Dow Chemical revolve around management, which is expected for almost any company. Other complaints centered on specific areas of the company, not Dow overall.
Since Dow controls many smaller companies, you’ll have a different experience at each.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
You may still be wondering when does Dow Chemical hire felons? It might come down to your record.
Those who have sex crime convictions may be something that many companies avoid hiring. This will be especially true if they have contracts with clients like school districts.
Another deterrent may be people with multiple theft charges. This is because of the abundance of company materials that some positions allow employees access to.
Since Dow Chemical told us they hire on a case-by-case basis, you should apply to any position you are qualified for. You will have a chance to explain your charges in an interview.
Does Dow Chemical drug test?
Dow Chemical does use drug tests as part of their hiring process.
Have you applied for a job or worked here before? Share your experiences!
Do you have any experience or information about how to get hired at Dow Chemical or any of their smaller companies? If you do, we would really appreciate you sharing what you know with us below so we can help people get a job at Dow Chemical with a felony.
