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Are you a former offender who’s having difficulty finding work? If so, today’s article will give you a great lead as we explore the question: Does Express Employment hire felons?
According to their website, “Express Employment Professionals is a leading staffing provider in the US, Canada and South Africa.” Their goal is to match their wide range of clients with qualified workers. If you’ve been having trouble finding work, this article will help you get a job at Express Employment with a felony. We’ll answer questions like:
- Does Express Employment do background checks?
- Will my felony limit my options with Express Employment?
- How do I find out if Express Employment is hiring near me?
- Does Express Employment hire people with misdemeanors?
If you’ve hit a wall in your search for employment, we’re here to help! How? We contact companies directly and ask them if they hire former felons. Along with their responses, we also give you tips and tactics that’ll help you land the job. Why do we take the time to track down this information? Our team is made up primarily of former offenders and people who’ve worked closely with re-entry programs. We can literally say we’ve been where you are when it comes to looking for work with a felony record.
Our mission at Relaunch Pad is to help former felons live a normal life after prison.
Today, we’re taking an in-depth look at how to get hired at Express Employment with a record. Let’s dive in!
Does Express Employment hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
At this point, we haven’t officially made contact with Express Employment. However, their website makes it very clear that they’re an Equal Opportunity Employer:
“Express Employment Professionals is an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all people and to hire and promote individuals solely based on their qualifications for the job.
In compliance with applicable federal, state/provincial, and local laws, employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements, and an individual’s qualifications regardless of race, color, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, disability, genetic information or protected veteran status. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics and expect that our employees and associates will cooperate in maintaining an atmosphere free of discrimination and harassment.”
The short answer is yes, Express Employment hires former felons. However, even following EEOC guidelines, they may choose not to hire former felons for certain positions. This occurs when they believe a person’s felony could conflict with the position they’re applying for.
Has Express Employment hired felons in the past?
Yes. We know from firsthand information that Express Employment has hired felons in the past. These positions have ranged from production positions to office positions to jobs in the hospitality industry. Their goal is to assess each applicant’s strengths and match them with a client who can benefit from their skills.
Does Express Employment hire people with misdemeanors?
Yes, we believe they do. Based on their willingness to hire felons, we believe they’ll hire people with misdemeanors too.
Is Express Employment on the Ban the Box list?
The Ban the Box campaign urges employers to remove questions about applicants’ legal history from their application forms. Employers can also take the Fair Chance Business Pledge. By doing this, companies agree to delay questions about an applicant’s criminal record until later in the hiring process. This means potential employees are considered based on their skills, not their past mistakes.
Express Employment is one of the companies on glassdoor.com’s list of Companies Offering Fair Chance Pledge. In order to be on this list, companies must “Maintain hiring/training programs for those with criminal records as an opportunity for a second chance.”
Does Express Employment have special programs for hiring felons?
We didn’t find any information on their site regarding a specific program for hiring felons. However, based on the statement above, we believe at least some Express Employment locations offer this type of program.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
Our research has only reinforced our belief that Express Employment is about as felon-friendly as they come. Therefore, Relaunch Pad believes your odds of getting hired here are high. This is based on the fact that we know they’ve hired felons in the past, as well as their support of the Fair Chance Business Pledge.
What are some entry-level jobs?
The range of entry-level jobs at Express Employment will vary from one office to the next. Depending on the clients that location networks with, they could have any number of positions available. A quick look at their website showed that they regularly hire people for positions such as:
- Production Laborer
- Manufacturing Associate
- Mechanic
- Class A CDL Driver
- Warehouse Pick/Pack
- Accountant
- Clean-Room Tech
- CNC Machinist
- Receptionist
- Customer Service Specialist
- And many, many others!
Whatever your background, you’re likely to find a similar position with Express Employment. Plus, if you do well wherever you’re placed, it’s entirely possible you’ll get hired on to work for that company directly. This is one reason why temp agencies are a great option for former offenders.
How to get hired at Express Employment with a felony
Ready to apply? Your first step is putting together a great resume that highlights the skills you’ve picked up from your previous jobs.
- If you haven’t found a specific position you’re interested in through their jobs site, you can keep your resume fairly general. However, if there’s a specific job you’d like to apply for, be sure to highlight your most relevant work experience in your resume.
- Once you’ve got the first draft of your resume put together, ask a friend or family member to proofread it for you. When you’re confident that you’ve got a great resume, be sure to save it electronically so you can access it online later.
- Now, you can go online to Express Employment’s website and set up an account. You can also go into your local Express Employment office and use one of their computers to set up your account.
After your account is set up, you’ll be paired with one of Express Employment’s recruiters for an interview. Here are some tips for making the most of this conversation:
- Come ready to work. If the person you’re interviewing with said they had an immediate opportunity for you, would you be ready to go? This could happen! So, be sure you’re ready to hit the ground running if they have immediate openings.
- Put your best foot forward. This begins with how you’re dressed. We suggest khaki pants or dress slacks and a nice polo shirt or blouse. Your attitude and the language you use are also part of making a great first impression. Avoid bad language or prison slang. Instead, show them you’re just the type of person their clients are looking for. We also recommend covering any tattoos until you know if the company you’ll be working for allows them.
- Brag about your past work experience. The interviewer is trying to see if you’re a fit for one of their positions. So be sure to let them know about the types of jobs you’ve had in the past. If you saw a specific job on their website that you’re interested in, be sure to mention that right away. Highlight any successes in previous jobs that prove you’re the perfect fit for this position.
- Be honest. Somewhere along the line, the conversation will likely shift to your legal background. Be upfront with them about your past — they will do a background check. Remember, they’ve hired felons in the past, so being a former felon won’t keep them from helping you find a job. It just narrows down which job.
Does Express Employment do background checks?
Yes. When you apply to work for Express Employment, they will ask you questions about your background. They will also conduct a criminal background check to confirm the information you give them. This information helps them to know if there are any positions which might conflict with your legal history.
Here is some state-specific information about background checks:
There are some states where your background check will only go back seven years. If you live in one of these states, your felony conviction shouldn’t show up on your background check after that time:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
(*There are some positions which could require a more thorough background check).
Other states won’t include information about cases where you were found not guilty:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
In many states, your background check will show your entire record (including not guilty verdicts). Just know that, if you live in one of these states, there’s a good chance they’ll see everything:
- 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 went back to glassdoor.com to look at how employees have ranked the company on there. Current and former employees have given them an overall rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. Over half (63%) of these employees said they’d recommend Express Employment to a friend.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
Does Express Employment hire felons? Yes, but some felonies may make it harder for them to place you than others. This happens for a couple of reasons. First, companies may tell them they’d rather not have former felons work for them. Second, the nature of your felony might conflict with the position you’re interested in.
Here are some convictions that may make it more difficult for them to place you:
- Offenses involving the misuse of a computer, as they may have trouble placing you in an office position.
- Theft, as they may have trouble placing you in a position where you’d be required to handle money.
- Child abuse, as they may have trouble placing you in a position where you’d be working closely with people who are under age.
- Felonies or misdemeanors involving drugs, as they may have trouble placing you with companies with zero-tolerance policies regarding drug use.
Does Express Employment drug test?
Yes. Most locations will have you complete a urinalysis drug test once you’re finished with the interview.
Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!
Many former offenders have been able to find work through Express Employment. If you’re one of them, we’d love to hear about your experience. Please share your story below!
Are there any other tips you would add to help former offenders get a job at Express Employment with a felony? Feel free to share those too.
