What you need to know about Walmart’s background check process

Like the vast majority of employers, Walmart conducts background checks on potential new hires to limit the risk to the company, its employees, and customers. Here’s what you need to know about Walmart’s background check and the grounds for disqualification.

The Walmart background check

While Walmart focuses on criminal checks, they also look into a couple of other things. Here’s what Walmart is interested in:

• Criminal records

Walmart will look at felonies and misdemeanor arrests and convictions for the previous 7 years. Violent, sexual, drug, and financial/larceny offenses are most likely grounds for disqualification. Walmart does not hire violent criminals.

Note: Expunged records will not show up on a background check.

• Identity confirmation

This includes address history and Social Security number validation. Hiring managers want to confirm what you say on your application is true. If an old address doesn’t match where you said you graduated from high school, this dishonesty could lead to disqualification.

• Sex Offender Registry

On the state and/or federal level. If a sex crime was convicted more than 7 years ago, it won’t show up on the criminal check. Presence on the sex offender list is grounds for disqualification; Walmart doesn’t hire convicted sex offenders.

• Credit score

Depending on state law, they may check credit scores. You have to give express permission for this. A poor credit score may flag a potential hire in an accounting or money-handling position, and may lead to disqualification.

• Employment and education history

They want to verify the truth of your application. Dishonesty with either previous jobs or education is a reason not to hire you.

Job eligibility at Walmart: Put your best foot forward

Be truthful during your background check, regardless of what you expect the check to reveal. Answer each question in the application and interview honestly and thoroughly. Walmart supports the Ban the Box initiative, so you won’t answer a question about convictions on the application. But don’t fill in false dates for other jobs to cover up a gap in employment! If something not listed on your applications show up during the background check, you’ll be banned from working in any Walmart property.

It’s up to the location hiring manager to make the call. So do your best to make a personal connection!