Does Staples Background Check?

Michelle Wilson - December 16, 2022

Trying to secure employment with a criminal record isn’t easy. It’s potentially one of the most challenging parts a felon faces when returning to normal after prison. In looking for work, anyone with experience working in a retail office setting might want to consider applying for a position at Staples. Before doing so, let’s uncover whether Staples runs a background check on their applicants and what those items might entail if they do.

Why Do Companies Perform Background Checks?

Many companies like Staples will review an applicant’s background to avoid hiring anyone that isn’t likely to succeed after starting a position. These individuals are called a “bad hire” and include individuals that:

• Doesn’t produce quality work
• Can’t work well with other employees or management
• Doesn’t handle customer service well within the position
• Holds attendance issues on the job
• Is dishonest on the job or while working
• Doesn’t have the skills suggested on their application

Unfortunately, individuals with a criminal history often face the most difficulty projecting honesty when their previous record suggests an image that may not pertain to their current lifestyle.

What Items are Included in a Background Check?

Information contained in a background check may vary, depending on the company. For an office supply company, Staples may review the following information about you during the application process.

• Driving records
• Employment history
• Criminal offenses
• Credit reports

The background report helps an employer determine an individual’s character, financial fitness, and previous mistakes. It also assists an employer in establishing previous work experience or security risks for hiring.

Getting into the Staples Application

Staples was founded in Boston in 1986 and is currently one of the largest office supply distributors. There are more than 2,200 Staples stores worldwide, nearly 1,600 of them in the United States. As a company, Staples prioritizes collaboration, hard work, and dedication from staff with a significant focus on the customer experience.

Individuals applying with Staples should emphasize customer service experience to improve their hiring chances. There are many different positions available within the company, including:

• Delivery driver
• Cashier
• Customer service
• Furniture associate
• Copy and print center expert
• Technology associate
• Office supply associate
• Service desk associate

The Staples Hiring Process

The hiring process with this company includes an application, a professional interview, and a question-specific job profile. All interested parties can submit their application online or in person. The job application is relatively long, taking approximately an hour to complete.

To begin the application process, individuals must create an account with Staples’ website. Users will need their name, address, phone number, email, and Social Security number. Screening questions will surround the potential position within the company. Finally, the applicant will indicate scheduling and availability preferences. Users can upload their resumes directly to the platform, along with their education level and two references.

Staples Assessment Questions

Staples will also include a generic assessment for all applications they receive. These questions are based on “True,” or “False,” statements. Examples of these questions include:

• You don’t care what people think of you
• Will you take it easy at work when you need to?
• You are a thrill seeker.

The Background Check and Report

Staples will request permission for a pre-employment background check throughout the application process. Although the background check isn’t mandatory, refusing to consent will terminate the application. This process protects Staples, its customers, and its employees. Currently, there are no available company policies for hiring felons.

Can Staples Refuse My Application for Criminal History?

No. Staples cannot refuse to hire someone because they hold a criminal history, including felony convictions. To refuse an application would constitute discrimination. An applicant can be denied a position if there is a specific, position-related reason for doing so. They can also reject an application should hiring the individual pose a severe or significant safety concern within the company.

All background check policies will vary from one location to the next. This difference relies on state laws about how long a background check is valid and what history is included in the report. The easiest way for someone with a criminal record to be hired with Staples is by having the record expunged.

Additional Tips to Secure a Job at Staples

On top of having the criminal record expunged, an individual can increase the likelihood of hiring with the following tips:

• Always have reliable references available
• Remain flexible with your schedule and work various hours
• Dress appropriately and professionally
• Offer a current resume outlining current job skills
• Arrive 10 minutes early for an interview
• Speak clearly and slowly while showing enthusiasm
• Be polite and respectful at all times
• Remain honest about any criminal history if asked

Approaching Your Employer About Criminal History

If your record remains intact, always approach the conversation honestly. Explain the facts surrounding the conviction without being emotional or angry. Never lie about your past on the job application, as most details will appear under the background check.

Try to highlight any abilities and skills that qualify you for the position, talking in detail about how they could benefit the company. Remember, a criminal history doesn’t automatically exclude you from employment; it makes honesty more valuable. By taking responsibility for your past actions and explaining how you’ve learned from mistakes and put your life in order, you’ll show your potential employer resilience, honesty, and determination.

How to Explain Criminal History to Employer

While a criminal history isn’t a deal-breaker for most prospective employers, it’s essential to remain honest and forthcoming with your past. Before discussing your criminal history, always run a personal background check to see what information appears under your record. Knowing the details of your file will prepare you for the conversations you need to have with a potential employer.

Pay attention to the questions the employer is asking. If Staples explicitly asks about felonies and you only have a misdemeanor, you don’t have to disclose that. Likewise, an employer asking for criminal history within a specific time frame doesn’t require additional details outside that limitation.

Talk About it Openly with Employers

You want to offer any employer context to the crimes committed before the employer’s imagination takes over. You also don’t need to rehash all details of your case either. Explain the charge, the time served, and what you’ve learned from that moment.

Conclusion

While Staples does run a background check on all potential applicants, they don’t automatically exclude individuals with a criminal past. Remain honest and transparent about the record, explaining what you’ve learned from the process.