HP Hood Hiring Overview For 2023

Is HP Hood on the Ban the Box list?

The Ban the Box campaign and the Fair Chance Business Pledge are game changers when it comes to those with a record gaining employment.

Ban the Box has helped those with a criminal record get through the initial application process more often. The campaign encourages employers to remove criminal history questions from their application.

The Pledge takes this work a step further and encourages employers to give those with a record more opportunities for advancement within the company or agency.

HP Hood is not part of Ban the Box. However, we filled out one of their applications for you and determined that they do not ask about your criminal history.

Does HP Hood have any special programs for hiring felons?

HP Hood did not confirm that they have programs designed to help former felons get hired. However, you probably have local agencies that do. Always check with your unemployment office, as they often partner with jails and prisons to help those being released. Any area job placement centers will also have some ideas to help you.

What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?

We think that the chances are high that a person will get hired at HP Hood with a felony. Not only did they tell us they’ve hired former offenders in the past, there is also some online support for this. The company still does a background check, though, so read on for details about that.

What are some entry-level jobs?

We browsed HP Hood’s job search website and found that they have many entry-level jobs. A small selection include:

• Warehouse operator
• Shipper
• Mechanic
• Processing technician
• Delivery driver

Most of these require a GED, high school diploma or less. However, some jobs require some specialized skills.

HP Hood warehouses and factories mostly operate 24 hours per day. This is all going to be shift work, with workers operating eight to 12 hours each shift.

Restaurants can be busy work environments with long work hours. You’ll typically see longer hours on nights and weekends, and shifts are usually eight to 10 hours.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

We’re encouraged that this company is willing to give those with a record a chance, but we want to give you some tips on how to get a job at HP Hood with a felony. First, browse their job site and find a position you think you qualify for. When you click the button to apply, you’re going to be immediately asked if you want to upload a resume. You may be tempted to click no, but don’t.

Do you have a resume built? If not, don’t worry because we’ve created a guide to help. What we think you’ll find is that you have more experience than you realize. All of the jobs and education you’ve had in the real world will go on there, and you can also include your prison experiences.

Prison jobs are not a waste of time. You worked them and gained some valuable skills, so make them work for you now. Did you work on the landscaping crew or in the kitchen? Were you a chapel worker or a clerk? These jobs teach things like teamwork, organization and task management that will help you here.

We also know that many prisons offer vocational classes such as maintenance and HVAC courses that can be included on a resume.

After you fill out and submit your application, don’t sit around and wait for them to call. You need to get ready for a possible interview! This is your chance to shine. First impressions are important. The last thing you need them to think is that you just got out of prison.

• Get a nice set of clothes. If you can’t afford new, your local unemployment office will know where you can get some for free.
• Get a haircut the day before the interview and trim any facial hair.
• Cover visible tattoos. We don’t know their company policy regarding this issue.
• When you go for the interview, make sure you have deodorant on and brush your teeth.

In our research, we’ve discovered that HP Hood’s interview process is thorough. Some people reported a phone interview before an in-person interview. We saw multiple responses saying that there was a one-on-one interview followed by a panel interview.

You should also be ready to answer questions about your criminal history. Remember, your past doesn’t define you. Let them know you’re ready to get your life moving in the right direction.

HP Hood confirmed that they do perform a detailed background check on potential candidates. However, you should know that not all background checks are created equal.

Here’s what you need to know about background checks:

Background checks vary depending on what state you live in. Some states only have checks that go back seven years. Those states are:

• California
• Colorado*
• Kansas*
• Maryland*
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire*
• New York*
• Texas*
• Washington*

*sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.

Luckily, there are some states that only show charges in which you were found guilty. They leave off all the other charges. These states include:

• Alaska
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana (limited check)
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York

Unfortunately, there are still many states that show all of your criminal history on their background checks. They also have no time limit and go back indefinitely. Those states include:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana (intensive check)
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina

Company ratings

The website glassdoor.com tells us that HP Hood has a 3.2 out of a possible 5-star rating and 41% of people say they would recommend working there to a friend.

The most positive responses from people who work or have worked at HP Hood revolve around their good pay and benefits. Workers praised the vacation and holiday time and pay as well as the overall work atmosphere.

As can be expected for any large company, there were complaints about management. There were also some complaints about having to work six or even seven days in a row. More people wanted flexibility when it came to the schedule.

What felonies HP Hood will not hire

HP Hood didn’t give us any specific felonies that would prevent an application from going forward.

What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?

We know you’re still wondering: Does HP Hood hire felons? We know they’re willing to and we really think you should apply. However, we always want you to remember that hiring will depend on the nature of the conviction and how long ago your crime was. There may be some charges that have a harder time gaining employment.

• If you have any DUI charges, you may not get a job as a driver, especially if you’re barred from obtaining a state commercial driver’s license.
• If you have a sex crime charge, you may have a harder time getting a job that puts you in direct contact with customers. These charges can make potential employers wary, especially if it was a violent crime.

Does HP Hood hire sex offenders?

We don’t know that HP Hood won’t sex offenders for sure, but we do suspect these charges will be scrutinized.

Does HP Hood drug test?

Yes, based on our research, it looks like HP Hood does require pre-employment drug tests on their candidates.

Have you applied for a job or worked here before? Share your experiences!

If you’ve got any advice on how to get hired at HP Hood with a felony, our readers would love to hear from you in the comments below.