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While it’s a difficult task for anyone to find work, being a felon can make it seem almost impossible. Finding the right job can help you create a new path in life, so let’s find out: Does CBS hire felons?
CBS Corporation is part of the television media industry. They’re best known for CBS News and the CBS Network. So if you’re interested in working in TV, read on to find out how to get a job at CBS with a felony. We’ll answer the following questions along the way:
- Does CBS hire people with misdemeanors?
- What are some entry-level jobs?
- How do I apply?
- Does CBS do background checks?
We know the real world is tough. We’ve been there. Many on the Relaunch Pad team are former felons or professionals who work with them. That’s why we know how important it is to directly contact companies and ask them if they hire former felons. We also do background research so we can give you some application and interview tips.
Let’s look at how to get hired at CBS with a felony record.
Does CBS hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
We contacted CBS to see if they hire felons, but didn’t receive a response. That’s okay — we’ll continue our efforts. Meanwhile, keep reading and find out other helpful information we’ve discovered.
Has CBS hired felons in the past?
We simply can’t answer this at this time. We haven’t received an official statement from the company and we couldn’t find a firm answer either way in our research.
Does CBS hire people with misdemeanors?
We can’t say for sure that CBS will hire people with misdemeanors.
Is CBS on the Ban the Box list?
Ban the Box is an initiative to rid applications of the box that asks if a person has been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony. The Fair Chance Business Pledge, originating during the Obama Administration, is a pledge for companies to not discriminate against a person because of their past.
CBS isn’t on the Ban the Box list nor have they signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge. However, we filled out an application and know there’s no box asking about felonies and misdemeanors.
Does CBS have special programs for hiring felons?
Unfortunately, CBS doesn’t offer any special programs for felons at this time. If you’re interested in a program to increase your chances of being hired, check out your local employment office or workforce development agency for more information.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
Relaunch Pad gives your odds of getting hired at CBS with a felony as uncertain. We haven’t received an answer from the company as to whether or not they’ll hire people with a felony. Additionally, our sources can neither confirm nor deny if they’ve hired former felons in the past.
But because there’s no box on the application asking about convictions, there’s still a chance to get your foot in the door.
What are some entry-level jobs?
CBS is a television network, so having skills in customer service or experience in journalism or news broadcasting will go a long way. The following is a small list of their entry-level positions:
- Sales assistant
- Administrative coordinator
- Graphic designer
Beginning in one of these positions lets you learn the ins and outs of the company providing you with the opportunity for promotions and advancement.
How to get hired at CBS with a felony
Since we’re still not sure if CBS will hire applicants with a record, it’s important to have a strong resume and great interviewing skills. Start by locating a job on the company’s jobs page that matches your skill set and what you’re looking for. Then customize your resume. Here’s how:
- Include your employment history, skills and qualifications that relate to the position.
- Be truthful about your work history and skills. Remember it’s less about the name of the job you did and more about what you did there.
- Proofread, making sure all information is accurate. Look for grammatical and punctuation errors or get someone to do so for you.
- Make sure your resume looks professional. Print it on high-grade paper with quality ink to really stand out.
If you’d like some extra help with your resume, check out our resume guide or visit your local workforce development office.
Now that your resume is updated, let’s look at some interviewing tips:
Dress professionally. There’s something to be said about “dress to impress.”
- Clean, wrinkle-free business attire and appropriately styled hair is a must.
- Hide any visible tattoos and take out ‘edgy’ piercings. You can always discuss the company’s policy on these either at the end of the interview or before an offer of employment is accepted.
Look and act the part.
- Stand up tall, back straight, head high, eyes open. This is going to help you portray yourself as confident and showing interest in the company.
- Be honest about your past. There’s no point in hiding it. It’ll come out eventually and possibly cost you your job.
- It’s also a good idea to memorize your resume for the interview. When you’re asked questions about previous work experience, you’ll know you’re answering the same way as on your resume.
- Asking questions at the end of the interview will show you’re interested and were paying attention. It’s also an opportunity to be sure on company policies and what is expected of you as an employee.
Does CBS do background checks?
We haven’t received an official company statement and we couldn’t find anything that said whether or not CBS will do a background check. However, most companies will run some sort of check, even if it’s just to prove your identity and that you’re legally able to work there.
Here’s what you need to know about background checks:
If your conviction was seven years ago, these states won’t bother with them on background checks:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)
And these states won’t look at anything where you weren’t found guilty:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
However, some states will look at everything on your record, including the not guilty verdicts. Be aware if you live in these 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
- Tennessee
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Company ratings
Our team did some research to get a sense of what CBS Corporation is like as a company. Glassdoor.com gives them 3.5 out of 5 stars. Of the 1,025 reviews, most of them are positive. Here are a few pros and cons reported by CBS employees:
Pros
- “Great production hours. No weekend work needed if you work smart.”
- “A good learning experience for beginners.”
- “Big company to work for — opportunities.”
Cons
- “Promotions only occurred from within even if you were well qualified for a producer position.”
- “Many management changes going on and the culture is changing drastically with it.”
- “Can be hard to get time with management.”
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
Does CBS hire felons? While we can’t answer yes or no to this question, there are certain felonies that might hurt your chances.
Violent felonies will be difficult because you’ll be working closely with a large number of co-workers and various departments within the company.
Theft, fraud and sex crimes may also be a problem because, depending on your position, you may be required to work directly with the public.
Does CBS drug test?
According to online sources, CBS doesn’t conduct employee drug tests. They may, however, drug test interns. Either way, it’s best to prepare as if they do. You don’t want to make it all the way through the interview process and then lose the offer for a failed drug screen.
Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!
Were you able to use the information in this article to get a job at CBS with a felony? We’d love to hear how you did it! You never know who you can help.
