Does Sears Hire Felons?

Sears is one of the leading retail providers of merchandise in the United States. They sell home appliances, apparel, and automotive products.

With such a wide variety of products and brands, there are many jobs across the company. Are any of these positions open to felons looking to rebuild their lives? There are millions of people across the country neglected from the workforce due to a criminal past. Yet, most of these individuals can become good citizens if given a chance to work.

About Sears

Sears and Kmart merged in 2005 under Sears Holdings Corporation. On February 11th, 2019, Transformco acquired Sears Holdings. But, Sears and Kmart still operate under their company names.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Sears) opened in 1893 as a watch store. The first retail store opened in Chicago, IL, in 1925 and grew into an industry leader over the next 100 years.

Many of the Sears retail stores closed with the expansion of the online shopping experience under ShopYourWay. However, there are still hundreds of locations across the country.

Like many large companies, Sears offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time employees. Options include healthcare packages, a stock purchase plan, and life insurance.

Sears also offers perks that try to give your working life a taste of home. These extra benefits include on-site daycare facilities, cafeterias, and fitness centers.

Does Sears Hire Felons?

Sears does occasionally hire people with a felony background. However, they are very particular about who they bring onto the team, so you may need a broader skillset to make up for a criminal past.

Be honest about your past if you have such a background but want to work for Sears. Discuss all that you are doing towards changing your life for the better.

Does Sears Run Background Checks?

If selected for a job at Sears, the company will run a background check. Criminal past, prior employment, driving record, education, and other information over the past seven years will appear. Illegal activity over the past 20+ years can appear. All candidates will also submit to a drug test.

Sears encourages people from all walks of life to apply for a job. However, they are very particular about who they bring to the team.

Careers at Sears

There are dozens of roles within the Sears workforce across many categories. Visit the Sears corporate website to learn more about what they have to offer.

Retail Store Professionals are at the front line of the Sears (and Kmart) stores. They sell goods and answer questions about store products.

If you have a passion for problem-solving, consider working as a Call Center Sales Representative. This role resolves account issues and directs calls to appropriate departments.

Warehouse Associates are at the backbone of Sears (and Transformco.) They unload incoming goods, pick and sort inventory, and load trucks for outgoing shipments.

Service Technician is another critical position at the front-line of the consumer experience. This role travels to customers’ homes to repair appliances, plumbing, and other Sears products.

Clerical Associates are responsible for answering phone calls, inventory control, and data processing. This position works in the warehouses or corporate offices, depending on the specific role.

Application Process at Sears

Applying to a job at Sears is easy. To begin, go to the Careers home page and search for the job you want. You can perform separate searches depending on the type of role, or you can search for all posts at once.

Once you find your desired job, click the Apply link to create a Talent Network profile. You will upload a copy of your resume to this profile, so make sure it’s up to date. Next, fill out the online application.

The hiring process for entry-level positions consists of one interview with a hiring manager, a background check, and a drug test. However, you may be required to complete an assessment or take part in a second interview, depending on the role.

The interview runs twenty to thirty minutes. You will answer questions about work history, workplace attitude, and potential adverse situations with customers or coworkers.

Of course, your answers are essential. However, how you present yourself can give you a boost above the rest. Practice answering interview questions at home, arrive at the interview early dressed the part.