Does Autozone Hire Felons?

Felons deserve a second chance to correct the bad choices they’ve made. And finding employment is an important part of rehabilitating their lives.

Felons who can’t get a job run a high risk of becoming criminals again, out of desperation and an inability to make a living and take care of their families and themselves.

About Autozone

Autozone is one of the country’s leading retailers of automotive and light truck aftermarket parts and accessories. It also offers automotive repair and diagnostic software.

J.R. Hyde III founded the company in 1979 under the name Auto Shack. The company has continued to expand and grow since then, trying out new markets and businesses.

At present, the company has locations in 49 states and overseas in Puerto Rico and Mexico. It has over 65,000 employees, and over $8 billion in annual sales.

Eligible workers can qualify for a benefits package including health and life insurance and a 401(k) plan, while all employees are entitled to discounts on company merchandise.

What workers liked most about working at Autozone was the opportunity to learn customer service skills through interacting with a variety of people in a retail setting.

Does Autozone Hire Felons?

While it seems like Autozone, in general, does not hire felons, anecdotal evidence suggests that there may be exceptions to the rule.

Although this is not definitive, some commenters on ‘hire felon’ sites have said they were hired so it may be up to the discretion of the store manager.

Even if the manager is open to hiring a felon, having a violent offense on your record would likely make it harder for you to be accepted.

If your offense is more than ten years old, you may be safe to apply since the company’s background checks apparently go back only ten years.

If a felon is hired, it would probably be for lower-level or entry-level jobs such as sales associates and delivery drivers that would allow them to work their way up.

Application Process At Autozone

As is common practice, you will have to register for an account at the company’s careers page (http://www.autozoneinc.com/careers/) before you can apply for a position. Registering will take just a few minutes and only require that you provide an email address or login and a password.

• Click on the New Applicants button under the Opportunities at Autozone portion of the site.
• Choose what field you would like to work in (stores, commercial, et al).
• Find an opening using the internal search engine.
• Click on the position you are interested in to apply.
• Fill up the online application and follow other directions.

Tips To Apply At Autozone

If possible, try to apply in person since this allows you to talk directly to the manager and bypass pre-screenings that would automatically eliminate you.

Don’t hide the fact that you have a felony conviction if it comes up. Instead explain the facts about your conviction straightforwardly without being emotional or dramatic.

It is never a good idea to lie about your past on the application. You may not be considered for jobs if the company finds out about it.

Make a case as to why the store should hire you. If you have skills and abilities that qualify you for the job, focus on highlighting them during the interview.

Take responsibility for past actions and explain how you are putting your life in order. Talk about the positive changes you’ve made, such as undergoing counseling.