Does Amazon Warehouse Hire Felons in 2023? An Insider‘s Guide for Securing a Second Chance
As an ecommerce seller, I‘ve helped hire and manage teams to pick, pack and ship orders from warehouses. And I‘ve seen firsthand the challenges those with a criminal record face in getting a second chance.
Amazon warehouse jobs remain some of the more accessible opportunities for felons. But it‘s far from guaranteed. In this comprehensive 2845 word guide, I‘ll leverage my insider experience to walk you through everything you need to know about getting hired for warehouse work at Amazon with a felony conviction.
The Opportunities and Obstacles Facing Felons Seeking Warehouse Work
Let‘s start with some context on why warehouse and fulfillment roles present a viable path forward for felons, but also the hurdles that exist.
There‘s no sugarcoating it – felons face major challenges in finding work. The unemployment rate for formerly incarcerated people consistently hovers around 27% – higher than peaks during the Great Depression. On top of the stigma of a conviction, many lack job skills or experience.
However, warehousing and logistics jobs provide real opportunities. With some employers, you can get your foot in the door without a spotless record. The roles prioritize availability, willingness to work and basic skills over extensive experience. And they often pay above minimum wage, with room for growth.
Amazon, in particular, has a massive and growing warehouse operation with consistent job openings to fill. Their starting pay and benefits exceed many retailers. And with fulfillment centers spread across the country, positions exist almost everywhere.
But restrictions remain. Certain convictions will disqualify you from jobs handling high value merchandise, vehicles or data. And Amazon still conducts in-depth background checks. Recent studies show roughly 41% of employers perform criminal record screening. For warehouse associates, that number climbs to 51%.
In this guide, I‘ll share insider tips to maximize your chances of successfully landing a warehouse job at Amazon with a criminal record.
When Does Amazon Perform Criminal Background Checks?
If you make it through initial interviews for a warehouse position, Amazon will eventually conduct a criminal history background check before finalizing your employment offer. The process typically involves:
- Completing an application where you provide personal information
- Advancing through one or more phone or in-person interviews
- Receiving a conditional job offer pending background check
- Submitting fingerprints or authorizing a records search
- Getting final employment decision 1-3 days later
Most checks for warehouse roles are done by a 3rd party background screening company called Accurate Background. They search for felony and misdemeanor convictions at federal, state and county levels over the past 7 years using your SSN and identity details.
This 7 year scope is a key point. Any felonies older than 7 years usually won‘t show up in Amazon‘s warehouse background checks. However, be prepared to explain major older convictions if questioned in the interview.
My advice is to wait 7-10 years after a felony conviction before applying to improve your odds. Let‘s look at the types of records that could still hinder your chances within this window.
Felonies That May Disqualify Candidates from Warehouse Jobs
While a criminal record doesn‘t prohibit you from Amazon warehouse work automatically, certain more concerning felonies committed within the past 5-10 years would give any hiring manager pause. These may include:
- Theft, burglary, robbery or related property crimes
- Fraud, identity theft, or financial wrongdoing
- Recent drug distribution charges
- Violent offenses like assault or manslaughter
- Sex crimes requiring offender registry
As a seller who‘s handled inventory losses from theft and fraud, I know these crimes would raise red flags for potential warehouse employees handling merchandise. HR needs to protect the company from further incidents.
DUIs or reckless driving are also very concerning for any warehouse operation jobs requiring you to operate heavy equipment like forklifts. Safety of the team is priority one.
However, minor non-violent felonies from 7+ years ago have less bearing on your candidacy. And misdemeanors generally have limited impact unless highly relevant to the role.
Positions Relatively Suitable for Felons
While certain roles are off the table, some common warehouse and fulfillment jobs may still be obtainable for felons including:
Picker – Locating products from inventory to fulfill orders. Requires attentiveness, physical ability, and care in handling.
Packer – Carefully and efficiently packaging picked items to ship. Must have attention to detail.
Loader/Unloader – Using pallet jacks to stock incoming items and load outbound trucks. Demands lifting ability.
Warehouse Associate – General support with sorting inventory, maintaining cleanliness and organization. Involves varied physical tasks.
I‘d advise being open to entry-level roles focused on order fulfillment processes. Avoid specialized positions handling valuable merchandise or data. Steer clear of vehicle operation.
Entry-level direct Amazon roles may be toughest to obtain for recent felons. But many facilities also use temporary staffing agencies to fill needs. Some felons have shared gaining initial warehouse experience this way.
How to Maximize Your Chances During the Amazon Hiring Process
If you meet the baseline qualifications, what steps can you take to get past the felony obstacle? Here are my insider tips:
Disclose past convictions when asked – Don‘t try to hide your record. Be forthcoming and accountable. Share how you‘ve grown from past mistakes.
Emphasize rehabilitation efforts – Discuss any job training, education, treatment or volunteer work since your conviction.
Dress for success at the interview – Project professionalism. For warehouse roles, wear clean pressed pants or jeans, closed toe shoes, and nice polos or button-downs.
Highlight your strengths – Share skills like physical stamina, attention to detail, teamwork and punctuality.
Express motivation and willingness to work – Convey you‘re looking for an opportunity to build your skills and contribute.
Ask clarifying questions on policy – Inquire if certain past convictions would disqualify you from current openings.
Consider record expungement – Consult with an attorney to see if you qualify to seal eligible felonies and improve your prospects.
Also know your rights. Some states limit criminal record inquiries during the hiring process.
Navigating "Ban the Box" Laws
A growing number of states enforce "ban the box" rules that bar employers from asking about criminal history on applications. This helps get a foot in the door.
Here are states with the strongest ban the box laws for private employers like Amazon:
| State | When Criminal Records Can Be Checked |
|---|---|
| New York | After conditional offer |
| New Jersey | After initial interview |
| Washington | After initial interview |
| Connecticut | After initial interview |
| Rhode Island | After initial interview |
In these states, Amazon cannot obtain your criminal background or ask about convictions until further in the hiring process. However, the record must still be addressed at some stage.
Alternatives if You Don‘t Get Hired at Amazon
Don‘t lose hope if Amazon turns you down. Remember, their loss could be a smaller operation‘s gain. Consider these additional paths forward:
Apply to other major retailers and logistics firms – Walmart, Target, UPS and FedEx all fill thousands of warehouse roles. Home Depot, Lowes and supermarkets are other options. Cast a wide net.
Look into local distribution companies – Smaller ecommerce sellers and wholesalers may have lower barriers to entry than Amazon. Search job boards, check at industrial parks.
Pursue related openings in sectors like food service, sanitation, and construction – Consider applying your physical abilities to other hands-on roles.
Consult local reentry programs – Nonprofits can provide job training, placement assistance and expungement clinics.
Volunteer to gain experience – Animal shelters, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army accept volunteers to build skills.
Consider vocational training – Maintain a clean record for a year, then pursue a commercial driver‘s license or trade certification.
Closing Thoughts for Felons Seeking Warehouse Work
I hope this guide provides an honest inside look at the realities and possibilities of getting hired for Amazon fulfillment center roles with a criminal record.
The bottom line is warehouse jobs present one of Amazon‘s more realistic opportunities for felons compared to their corporate or tech divisions. But recent serious convictions still pose major obstacles at most employers.
By tailoring your background check timeline, targeting appropriate entry-level roles, pursuing record expungement, and selling your strengths, you can maximize your odds.
Stay persistent and don‘t get discouraged. With the right hiring manager and company, you can find a chance to learn skills and gain back your footing. Those opportunities exist – you just need to be diligent in seeking them out.
Wishing you the absolute best in your path forward. Your past convictions don‘t define you. Keep pushing ahead.
