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Have you ever filled up at your local Sunoco gas station and wondered: Does Sunoco hire felons? Sunoco-branded gas stations operate across 17 states and the company has a large corporate operation as well.
Relaunch Pad asks companies directly about their hiring policy. Are you a former felon looking for work? As people with criminal records or those invested in helping them ourselves, we find out what you need to know. Keep reading and we’ll tell you about:
- Sunoco’s hiring process.
- Does Sunoco hire people with misdemeanors?
- The types of entry-level jobs they have.
- Tips on how to get hired at Sunoco.
Ready to figure out if this is a good company for you? Let’s get in there.
Does Sunoco hire felons?
Official company policy for hiring felons
We don’t have this yet from the company. The only information on their website is this quote on the job application form:
“All qualified persons will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.”
Has Sunoco hired felons in the past?
We’re not sure. There seems to be no evidence that they have or haven’t.
Does Sunoco hire people with misdemeanors?
There’s no information online or from the company confirming that they do.
Is Sunoco on the Ban the Box list?
There are two great initiatives that give former felons a leg up when they’re looking for work. The first is the Ban the Box list. If a company’s name appears on this list, then they’ve taken the criminal record box from their job application. This shows that they’re committed to looking at an applicant’s job skills before their criminal history. The Fair Chance Business Pledge is the second excellent initiative. Businesses taking the Pledge declare they’ll give all job applicants a fair chance.
However, Sunoco isn’t on the Ban the Box list. In addition, there’s no record that they’ve taken the Pledge.
What does that mean for you? Does Sunoco hire felons? Let’s see if we can’t get a better understanding.
Does Sunoco have special programs for hiring felons?
No, they don’t.
What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?
We believe the odds are uncertain. First, we don’t have any confirmation directly from the company that you can get a job at Sunoco with a felony or a misdemeanor. Second, they haven’t said publicly that they want to give felons a helping hand. For example, they’re not on the Ban the Box list, haven’t signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge and don’t have any special programs for hiring felons. Finally, the comments online from employees are mixed — some say yes, some say no.
What are some entry-level jobs?
Here are some examples of entry-level jobs, both in corporate and retail, at Sunoco.
Corporate — Positions such as Administrative Assistant, Truck Driver and Pipeline Operator require a high school diploma or equivalent. You also need some related experience or skills to apply.
Retail — These are jobs at Sunoco gas stations such as a Sales Associate and Assistant Manager also require a high school diploma or equivalent. For the Assistant Manager job, you need some retail, fast food or sales experience as well. However, you can be a Fuel Attendant without a high school diploma or experience!
How to get hired at Sunoco with a felony
Check out job openings at Sunoco. There is a link to the corporate opportunities and another link to retail jobs. With your resume in hand, search for openings by job type and location.
Download a job application and complete it electronically. After that, you can apply online. You can also drop your resume off at your local gas station. This shows the hiring manager that you’re determined to work for them.
As a former felon, you need to try extra hard to show Sunoco why they should hire you. Even if they don’t check your criminal record out until later in the hiring process, you know that it’s coming. Here are a few tips to increase your confidence.
- Read your resume closely — Make sure that you describe your skills and experience using strong positive language and that it matches the job you apply for.
- Become familiar with the company — Review Sunoco’s website and find out what they want in an employee. Then, be ready to show them how you measure up.
- Find out what employees like about working there — This also prepares you to ask a few questions in your interview. And that helps settle your nerves.
- Visualize each meeting with company managers — Whether you’re dropping off your resume or having a formal interview, imagine communicating with confidence.
- Channel your inner superhero — Stand tall. Walk with purpose. Sit up straight. Speak clearly. This will reinforce in your mind that you’ve got this!
Does Sunoco do background checks?
Yes, they do. What’s more, the company’s job application says that by signing it you:
“. . .[u]nderstand and agree that any false statement or omissions on this application or elsewhere or receipt of unsatisfactory references will result in the immediate withdrawal of any offer of employment.”
If you’re wondering how else does Sunoco do background checks, we can tell you this: The job application confirms that you must show documentation to verify eligibility to work in the United States as well.
It’s important to be aware of how background checks are done in different states. Here’s what we know:
You only need to worry about the last seven years of your record in these states because that’s all they check:
- California
- Colorado*
- Kansas*
- Maryland*
- Massachusetts
- Montana
- Nevada
- New Hampshire*
- New York*
- Texas*
- Washington*
(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)
A small number of states don’t want to know about any not guilty verdicts. Here are the states that leave these out of a background check:
- Alaska
- California
- Hawaii
- Indiana (limited check)
- Kentucky
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New York
But remember, most states want to see your whole record. Here they are:
- 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
Indeed.com has the most employee reviews. Based on over 1,000 comments, Sunoco gets 3.5 out of 5. Most reviewers like the company best for good work-life balance. In addition, glassdoor.com has about 300 reviews that rate the company at 3 out of 5.
What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?
If you want to get a job at Sunoco with a felony, it’s best if you don’t have theft or fraud convictions. You’ll be handling cash, credit cards and merchandise that can be easily stolen, so the company needs you to be low risk.
Someone with assault or substance abuse convictions may also have a more difficult time getting hired. This is because working in customer service and closely with co-workers in a fast-paced job can be stressful. The company needs to know that you can keep your cool under these conditions.
Finally, if you want to get hired as a Truck Driver, be prepared to show that your record won’t get in the way of you doing the job or Sunoco’s ability to insure you.
Does Sunoco drug test?
Yes, they do. Here’s what their job application says:
“. . . after an offer of employment, the Company reserves the right to require substance abuse testing of all job applicants for the presence of controlled substances (drugs).”
Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!
Now we want to hear from you! Have you worked for the company?
