Does Shell Hire Felons?

Shell is a worldwide group of energy and oil companies that own and operate Shell Gas Stations in the United States.

When released from prison or parole, felons often find it hard to get hired for jobs, even though their debt to society has been paid. Many companies refuse to hire felons, no matter their qualifications or the circumstances of their felony. When companies refuse to even consider hiring someone with a felony on their record, they deny that person a chance at a new life.

About Shell

Shell Oil Company is one of America’s largest oil and natural gas producers, with a focus on marketing gasoline. Shell Gas Stations can be found all across the continental United States.

Shell Oil Company in the United States is a subsidiary of the transnational corporation Royal Dutch Shell. Shell was formed in 1907 by the merging of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company and the Shell Transport and Trading Company of the United Kingdom.

As of 2018, Shell’s parent company, Royal Dutch Shell, was the third largest company in the world. In the United States, Shell operates over 25,000 gas stations and employs around 80,000 workers.

Shell provides a wealth of benefits to employees, including health, dental, and vision coverage. Employees are also eligible for 401k programs, long-term disability, and insurance for accidents or illness.

With a competitive pay scale, a good benefits package, and a variety of entry-level and mid-level jobs available all across the United States, there are a number of reasons to consider this company when looking for a job.

Does Shell Hire Felons?

According to multiple online sources, Shell does indeed hire felons. Keep in mind that this is not an official company policy or statement, so individual Shell gas stations or establishments may be more or less willing to consider felons.

Several internet sources also note that Shell tends to hire only non-violent felons, so those with a violent felony on their record may have more difficulty finding a position with this company.

Does Shell Run Background Checks?

Yes, Shell does run background checks. Numerous websites have reached out to Shell and their employees and confirmed that Shell does run complete background checks. These generally take several days, and depending on what state you live in, can cover your entire history.

Background checks vary by state, and some states remove felonies from background checks after seven years. Unfortunately, in a great many states your background check will show all crimes you have ever been charged with, even if you were found innocent or the charges were dropped.

Careers at Shell

The Shell careers website focuses on the wide variety of jobs available throughout their company, most of them at the professional level.

What the website does not mention are the entry-level jobs most readily available to anyone with a Shell gas station in their neighborhood: Gas station attendants. Jobs of this kind are often available, especially for people with flexible schedules.

Attendants and night managers are integral to the running of Shell’s 25,000 gas stations, stocking shelves, assisting customers, working behind the cash register, and keeping the area clean.

If you have some professional experience, you may want to look into jobs outside the gas station, such as commercial freight operation, scheduling cargo and freight shipping both locally and worldwide.

Those with IT experience or credentials might want to look into the application service jobs available for keeping the lines of communication running smoothly throughout the company.

Application Process at Shell

Be advised that the official Shell website does not list entry-level jobs such as station attendants and managers anywhere on their site. If you are looking for one of these jobs you will have to find the job listing on other job search engines, or visit the station itself and ask for an application.

If you have some professional experience, or believe you might be the right fit for an operations or IT job with this company, go to: https://www.shell.com/careers.html and use their search engine to find available jobs.

Gas stations are often open to hiring young adults, students, and seniors, so their application process will likely not require a resume. If you are applying as an attendant, expect to fill out an application and go through a face-to-face interview. If you are applying for a manager position, you will want to have a resume.

In either case, be honest. Leaving a previous job off an application for any reason can be dangerous if you are found out. The same goes for any long period of time in which you didn’t work. Be honest. You can always explain yourself in a face-to-face interview.

Finally, don’t lie about a felony. If any part of your application requires you to note whether you’ve been convicted of a felony, be honest. A lie might get you an interview, but the background check will show your potential employer everything you chose to hide.