Does Target Background Check Before Hiring?

As part of their hiring process, Target carries out background checks on all applicants. If you’re interested in working at Target, it’s helpful to understand how the background check works and what it looks for.

In this article, we’ll go over the Target background check and get you up to speed.

Some Background On The Target Background Check

Target was the subject of a class action lawsuit over discriminatory background checks in 2018. The company reached a settlement, and as part of the settlement agreed to overhaul its background check procedures to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly.

When you apply for a job with Target, you won’t have to answer any questions about your criminal record on the job application.

However, the company still carries out background checks to make sure that they don’t hire individuals who pose a threat to company property, staff, or customers.

When Does The Target Background Check Take Place?

As part of their commitment to a fair background check process, the Target hiring process background check takes place after your application, interview performance, and availability have been considered.

If Target wants to hire you, you’ll receive a conditional offer of employment along with instructions for initiating your background check.

Target uses an agency to conduct background checks on their behalf, this agency is Accurate Background.

To get your background check underway, you’ll need to provide a few personal details and authorization for the background check to take place.

Your Target Background Check With Accurate Background

Target will send you an email with a secure link to the Accurate Background website, and your login credentials.

Follow the link and login.

You’ll need to complete the form to allow Accurate Background to carry out your check. Then you’re ready to add your details.

Accurate Background will ask for your full name, date of birth, ID details, and current address. You may also be asked to provide details of your past employment and education.

Once you’ve finished entering your information, you’ll get a question asking if you’ve ever been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

If you answer yes to this question, there’s a section to add details about the offense.

To finalize your details, review the information you’ve entered, then click on confirm.

Initiating your background check should only take a few minutes, it’s a very straightforward process.

What Does Target Look For In A Background Check?

For all candidates, Target will confirm your identity and your right to work in the country.

If the position you applied for specified the need for experience in a similar role, then your employment record will be verified.

If the position you applied for required any qualifications, like a degree or technical certification, then the details you supplied will be checked.

All candidates will undergo a criminal background check. This part of the background check will search county, state, and federal criminal record databases.

Having a criminal record isn’t an automatic disqualification, though, so don’t be afraid of applying because of a background check.

What Offenses Disqualify You?

Under the terms of the class action lawsuit, Target made a commitment to consider the nature of any criminal offense and whether it was relevant to the job being applied for. They also stated that they would take the age of the offense into account.

A conviction for a DUI probably won’t affect your job prospects if you’ve applied for a store job. Although it might be a concern if you apply for a job at a Target distribution center where you may need to operate a forklift. And a DUI would definitely be an issue if you applied for a driving job.

Convictions for drug possession won’t usually be a problem either.

One of the big problem areas for a retailer like Target is convictions for theft or fraud. Among retailers, employee theft accounts for a significant percentage of losses and costs big retailers like Target and Walmart billions of dollars every year.

So it’s unsurprising that they don’t want to employ people with a history of theft or fraud.

The other potentially disqualifying type of offense is one involving violence. If you’ve got a conviction for assault, robbery, or a sex crime, then Target is unlikely to hire you.

However, they will take into account the age of your offense and your conduct since that time.

How Long Does Target Background Check Take?

The time it takes for Accurate Background to complete your Target background check will vary. Some applicants receive their results in one to two days, while others can wait for over two weeks.

One reason for a delay can be that it’s a very busy period, so background checks are taking longer than usual.

Another reason can be that they’re having trouble confirming your information.

There’s a possibility you might receive an email asking for more information. If you don’t respond to this email, then your background check won’t go any further. Make sure you monitor your inbox and spam folder so you don’t miss that email.

On their website, Target states that you should direct questions about the status of your background check to Accurate Background, by calling 855.581.0580.

How Far Back Does Target Background Check Go?

Background checks will go back as far as your state allows. Some states have imposed limitations on employment background checks, but many others have not, so it’s difficult to say how far back the Target background check will go.

As a guide, the following states limit criminal record reporting to 7 years.

• California
• Colorado
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Maryland
• Massachusetts
• Montana
• Nevada
• New Hampshire
• New Mexico
• New York
• Texas
• Washington

However, some of these states allow parole records and prison release dates to be included in the 7-year period, so it’s possible for older convictions to be discovered even though a time limit is in place.

Does Target Hire Felons?

Yes, Target does hire felons, but they don’t hire all felons.

There’s a broad range of offenses that fall under the felony umbrella. The only thing felony offenses have in common is that the offenses are eligible for a minimum of one year in prison.

There’s a world of difference between a felony marijuana possession and a felony manslaughter conviction.

If your felony didn’t involve violence, a sexual offense, theft, or fraud, then Target may hire you.

Target doesn’t ask about criminal convictions on their job application, and they’ll consider your suitability based on your qualifications, experience, and your interview performance.

If Target wants to hire you, they’ll make a conditional offer of employment and then carry out the background check.

It can be really tough to find employment with a felony on your record, but Target is one company that gives individuals with a less-than-ideal background a second chance.

Does Target Do Any Other Pre-Employment Checks?

Some roles at Target may require a pre-employment drug test. This isn’t usually the case for most hourly paid positions, though.

Applicants for Asset Protection roles (store security) are more likely to be asked to take a drug test, as are applicants for salaried managerial roles.

If you’ve applied to Target Distribution and Logistics for a driving job that requires a CDL, then you will have to take a drug test as required by federal law.

You’ll know if a drug test is required for your role because Target will tell you. They usually inform you at the end of your interview, and the information will also be included in your conditional offer of employment.

You have 24 hours after accepting the job offer to complete the drug test, which will take place at a nearby clinic, or at the Target store or distribution center you’ll be working at.

If your conditional job offer doesn’t include any information about a drug test, then you won’t have to take one. So don’t worry about being surprised with a drug test when you attend your orientation.

Does Target Do Background Checks – Quick Recap

Target carries out a background check on all applicants. The background check is carried out by a third-party agency called Accurate Background.

When you accept a conditional offer of employment, you’ll be given the login information you need to start the background check on Accurate Background’s website.

The Target background check will verify your identity and search for a criminal record. If the role you applied for required relevant experience or qualifications, these will be confirmed.

Disqualifying offenses usually include theft and fraud and any offense involving violence. However, the age of the offense will be taken into account.