Amazon is the second-largest employer in the U.S. and this e-commerce giant has job opportunities at every level.
If you’re interested in working at Amazon, you may be wondering what the Amazon background check policy is? Here is what I know about this!
Key Takeaways
What Is Amazon’s Background Check Policy In 2022?
Amazon does do background checks, which include checking criminal convictions, including misdemeanors and felonies for the past 7 years. These background checks take place after the in-person interview and before hiring is confirmed to ensure new employees are trustworthy. Additionally, Amazon may hire people with convictions, but they treat each prospective employee on a case-by-case basis.
Keep reading if you want to know more about Amazon’s background check policy and what it means for prospective employees.
What Is The Amazon Application And Interview Process?
As the employer of one million Americans, Amazon takes its hiring policies seriously.
Before Amazon runs background checks, the hiring process starts with an online application, followed by an interview. The online application is available at www.amazon.jobs/ and questions depend on which type of job you are applying for.
This is a similar process to any other online job submission, as you can explore different positions and provide any required information about yourself after you make an account and start an application.
Once you submit the initial application, expect to hear back from Amazon regarding an interview. Make sure you check the email you signed up for your account with, as Amazon will contact you regarding the next steps.
Many senior roles at Amazon require the completion of a short assessment, which should take 20-30 minutes. This is a way for Amazon to check if your skills and competencies suit the role.
After a successful assessment or if you are applying for a manual role such as a warehouse fulfillment worker or delivery driver, your application will proceed to the interview stage. Sometimes Amazon does phone interviews while others are in-person only.
If you pass Amazon’s interview questions and seem like a good fit for the job, then Amazon will make a conditional job offer. The conditions are that you must pass all of the company’s employee background checks.
What Are Amazon Background Checks?
Amazon requires a full criminal background check (fingerprints are not required during hiring) going back seven years so the company can consider any convictions, including misdemeanors and felonies, during that time.
Additionally, Amazon may hire people with convictions, but they treat each prospective employee on a case-by-case basis.
While it depends on each situation, generally, Amazon is less likely to hire someone with a record for fraud or stealing from a former workplace.
Instead, applicants with low-level drug offenses or other crimes that shouldn’t directly impact the job role and responsibilities are more likely to be considered.
Currently, Amazon uses a professional service for conventional background checks to search through all public records, revealing any arrests, felonies, misdemeanors, or charges.
Once the background check is complete, Amazon provides a hiring decision in several business days.
If candidates are disqualified due to their background checks, Amazon notifies them under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines.
The FCRA states no employer is legally allowed to consider any criminal conviction from over seven years ago. So if you have a conviction that’s older than seven years, Amazon cannot use it when deciding whether to hire you.
However, some states have additional regulations that minimize this time even more. You can check your state law to understand how far back Amazon can go when looking at your criminal history.
Does Amazon Do Reference Checks?
Reference checks are another aspect of the Amazon hiring process, although they are generally pretty brief due to the numerous applications Amazon receives.
Simply put, hiring managers just want to know your references check out, and they usually only pay attention to the high-level details like position title, pay, and overall performance.
Of course, it’s important for companies to know who they are hiring. Reference checks give Amazon the chance to verify the information on your resume.
In most cases, Amazon will look at just your last boss or check in with a few, depending on your employment history and the job you applied for.
Although they may seem daunting at first, you shouldn’t worry too much about reference checks, especially if you left a good lasting impression in your most recent workplace.
If your resume is honest and transparent, you will likely pass the reference check without any major issues.
However, many hourly roles at Amazon do not require a resume at all, and in that case, Amazon focuses on the interview, background check, and drug test instead.
Does Amazon Require Drug Tests?
Amazon requires drug tests of incoming employees. You must agree to a mouth swab, which typically happens after the in-person interview.
Each swab is lab-tested in search of common recreational drugs that are illegal in your state.
While some applicants may use a home drug testing kit to ensure they are in the clear, Amazon requires annual medical assessments that include a drug test.
Additionally, Amazon also reserves the right to spot drug test staff, so regular recreational drug activity will be a problem.
To learn more about Amazon’s policies, you can also check our related posts on Amazon’s transfer policy, Amazon VTO policy, and the Amazon mandatory overtime policy.
Conclusion
Amazon’s background check policy requires prospective employees to pass reference checks, criminal background checks, and drug tests. Once you submit an online application for one of the thousands of available Amazon jobs, you may be contacted for an assessment or interview.
If you make it to the next stage and receive a conditional job offer, expect Amazon to conduct a criminal background check going back seven years in search of prior charges and convictions they should know about.
Amazon does not currently require fingerprinting for its background checks as the e-commerce giant uses a comprehensive public record checking platform. Amazon also asks for references to check with previous employers and requires drug tests before an offer of employment can be confirmed and accepted.