SmartStyle Hiring Overview For 2023

Founded 1996

Type Public

Headquarters Minneapolis, MN

Size Large Corporation

Industry Hair salon

SmartStyle is a chain of beauty salons that has locations all across the country. For the qualified candidate, it can be an excellent opportunity to find work . . . but does SmartStyle hire felons?

We are well aware of the fact that former felons have a difficult time finding work. That is why we at Relaunch Pad go directly to the source, asking employers how they go about making their hiring decisions. 

We also make a point of answering several other key job search considerations. These include but are not limited to the following:

  • Does SmartStyle do background checks?
  • Is it possible to get a job at SmartStyle with a felony?
  • Does SmartStyle hire people with misdemeanors?

In addition to doing in-depth research on the hiring policies of a variety of different businesses, we also make use of writers and researchers that have experience with the job market. And, of course, we also keep former offenders on our staff to ensure that we are benefiting from the most relevant experience possible.

So let’s get right to it, shall we? Read on!

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Does SmartStyle hire felons?

SmartStyle logo in white on teal background

Official company policy for hiring felons

As always, we went directly to the company to ask them about their hiring policies. Unfortunately, SmartStyle has not yet gotten back to us. We will continue following up with them in the hopes that we will be able to update this article. In the meantime, however, we have done some independent research!

. . . which didn’t come up with much. In other words, we can’t say for sure either way how they feel about hiring former felons.

Has SmartStyle hired felons in the past?

Regrettably, we weren’t able to find any information about whether or not SmartStyle has hired former felons in the past either.

While their many locations and positions make it fairly likely that former felons have found work there in the past, we can’t say for sure without knowing more about their hiring policies and practices.

Does SmartStyle hire people with misdemeanors?

We also made a point of looking into whether or not SmartStyle is willing to hire people with misdemeanors.

This was another factor that we were not able to find any concrete information on. Once again, we will keep researching and contacting the employer in the hopes of improving our information.

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What are the chances of SmartStyle hiring a felon?

Is SmartStyle on the Ban the Box list?

Happily, there are some organizations that push for a better quality of life for former offenders. One, Ban the Box, is a movement that aims to eliminate questions about an applicant’s criminal history from job applications. Regrettably, SmartStyle isn’t on the list yet.

There is also the Fair Chance Business Pledge. The Fair Chance Business Pledge is a voluntary promise that businesses make to not discriminate in their hiring practices. It could be that SmartStyle does this, but they haven’t made it public if they do.

Does SmartStyle have special programs for hiring felons?

Some companies also have special programs that are designed to help former felons have an easier time finding work out of jail.

These programs are kind of hard to come by, but they do exist. For example, some companies make a special point of hiring parolees so as to help them adjust to life outside of jail. Unfortunately, though, SmartStyle does not have anything like this.

This does not mean they are unwilling to hire former felons; it just means that they won’t necessarily make a special point of doing it.

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

Uncertain likelihood of hiring felons

Does SmartStyle hire felons? From what we can see, your chances are uncertain. While it may be possible to get a job at SmartStyle with a felony, we just don’t know enough to say anything for sure. Hopefully, they will respond to us in the near future and we will be able to provide a more concrete answer!

How to get hired at SmartStyle with a felony

What are some entry-level jobs?

We also took a little bit of time to examine some of the entry-level jobs that this company has to offer. As one would expect, most of the jobs are for the positions of stylists or beauticians.

However, there are other jobs available as well. For example, you may be able to find work in their customer service department.

Most of their in-store positions will be for daytime hours seven days a week.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Now that we’ve taken a look at most of the other key considerations, it’s time to start thinking about what it would take to get hired at this company.

One thing to remember is that all job opportunities start with the submission of a good resume. Because hairstyling work is highly specialized, relevant work history or training will go a long way towards helping you get a job here. For that reason, it will be to your benefit to be able to demonstrate your relevant skills on your application. Any work experience in the field of beauty or cosmetics may be relevant here.

Prison job experience shows employers that you are committed to becoming an active member of society again. If you can tie work you did while in jail to this position, that will also be helpful.

You may find it worth your time to take your resume out to a career center. These places make use of professionals who are true experts at helping people to find work. If you don’t have access to a career center, you can also improve your chances by allowing a friend or relative to look over your application before sending it out.

A good application will lead to a call for an interview. Mastering the art of a successful interview begins before you ever walk through the door, so be sure to make yourself presentable.

Remember that this is a business that specializes in beauty. Therefore, it may help you out if you can demonstrate your own sense of style when you show up for the interview.

You will also want to make sure that you have covered up any tattoos or piercings. While employees may be allowed to show these on the job, it’s typically seen as more professional to have time covered at interviews.

Last but not least, try your best to stay relaxed. If you are there for an interview is because they think you are a good candidate. Now is your chance to prove it to them!

Does SmartStyle do background checks?

It looks like the company may do background checks.

However, the experience is different depending on the state that you live in. 

For example, if you live in one of these states, background checks will only extend back up to seven years:

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

*Some states have different background check requirements depending on the pay bracket.

There are also some states that don’t examine things you were found not guilty of. If you live in any of these states, only convictions will show up on your background check:

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

Unfortunately, though, many states include your entire record on their background checks. In these places, residents’ entire record will show up on background checks:

  • 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
  • Tennessee
  • Utah
  • Vermont
  • Virginia
  • West Virginia
  • Wisconsin
  • Wyoming

Company ratings

We also went online to find out what it is like to work at SmartStyle. To do this, we went to glassdoor.com to see the company ratings. We found that the company has an average rating of 2.7 out of 5 stars.

Their highest rating is a 2.7 for culture and values. Their lowest rating was 2.5 for compensation and benefits.

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

Without knowing much about the company’s hiring policies it is hard to say exactly what convictions will have a harder time getting hired there.

However, there are a few general rules of thumb that you can follow. For example, because there are lots of customer interactions at SmartStyle you may have a hard time getting hired there if you have a violent or sexual offense on your record.

And, because there is money involved, theft charges may also be a problem.

Does SmartStyle test for drugs?

It looks like the company may test for drugs in certain situations.

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

Does SmartSyle hire felons? If you have worked at this company in the past, we would love to hear what you know. Did this article help you figure out how to get hired at SmartStyle? Tell us what you know so we can further serve the community.

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