Are you an animal lover looking for a job where you can be surrounded by furry friends all day? PetSmart could be the perfect place for you! With over 1,500 stores across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, this leading pet retailer employs tens of thousands of associates in roles like pet care, grooming, training, retail, and more.
But before you can start your dream job playing with puppies, you‘ll need to go through PetSmart‘s hiring process. While it‘s similar to many other retail jobs, there are a few key things to know—especially when it comes to the background check.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll walk you through every step of getting hired at PetSmart, with a special focus on what to expect from the background check. Whether you‘re applying for an entry-level job or a management position, you‘ll find all the information and tips you need to navigate the process with confidence. Let‘s dive in!
PetSmart Hiring Process Overview
First, let‘s break down the key steps in PetSmart‘s hiring process:
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Application: Fill out an online application through the PetSmart careers site. You‘ll need to create an account, upload your resume, and provide details on your experience and qualifications.
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Interview: If the hiring manager likes your application, you‘ll be invited for an interview. For entry-level positions, this is typically a single in-person or phone interview. Leadership roles may require multiple rounds of interviews.
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Background Check: All candidates must consent to a pre-employment background check. More on the specifics of this in a minute.
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Drug Test: PetSmart also requires all new hires to pass a drug screening before starting work. This is usually done at an offsite lab, and you‘ll have 48 hours from accepting the job to complete the test.
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Offer & Onboarding: If all goes well with your interview, background check, and drug test, you‘ll receive an official job offer. Then you‘ll complete new hire paperwork and training before your first day.
The entire process can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks, depending on the position, location, and number of applicants. On average, expect it to take 1-3 weeks from application to start date.
The PetSmart Background Check
Now, let‘s focus in on the background check portion of the PetSmart hiring process. This is a critical step, as the company wants to ensure all employees, who will be working closely with animals and customers, are trustworthy and reliable.
What does PetSmart look for in a background check?
PetSmart‘s background checks are conducted by a third-party consumer reporting agency. The exact scope can vary by position, but in general it will include:
- Criminal history check at the county, state, and federal level going back at least 7 years
- Social Security number trace to verify your identity and past addresses
- Sex offender registry check
- Employment and education verification
For certain positions, especially leadership roles, the check may also include:
- Motor vehicle records check if you‘ll be driving for work
- Drug testing history
- Credit report if you‘ll have financial responsibilities
The background check looks for any disqualifying offenses in your history, like violent crimes, animal abuse, theft, or sexual misconduct. More minor offenses like traffic violations usually won‘t automatically disqualify you, but the company reviews each applicant on a case-by-case basis.
How long does the PetSmart background check take?
The million dollar question! The timeline for the background check can vary quite a bit depending on your specific history and the jurisdictions being checked.
In the quickest scenarios, the check can be completed in 1-3 days. This is most common if you‘ve lived in a single county your whole life and have no criminal record. The background check agency can quickly pull the necessary records and deliver a report.
However, the process gets longer if you have a more complex history. For example, if you‘ve recently lived in multiple states, it will take extra time to check the records in each jurisdiction. Or if something does show up on your criminal history, the agency will need to manually pull the full court records to verify the details. This can extend the timeline by several days or even weeks.
On average, most PetSmart background checks take between 5-10 business days to complete. But it‘s impossible to give an exact timeline since each case is unique. The best thing you can do is provide complete and accurate information on your application. This helps the background check agency complete the process as efficiently as possible without needing to track down missing details.
My PetSmart background check is taking a long time. Should I be worried?
Not necessarily. While a longer-than-average background check can be nerve-wracking, it doesn‘t automatically mean something bad showed up in your history. There are plenty of innocuous reasons it could be taking some extra time.
The most common culprit is counties that are slower to respond to record requests. This is especially true for rural areas that may have limited staff and outdated record-keeping systems. There‘s not much you or PetSmart can do to speed this up.
It‘s also possible that your background check was flagged for manual review, even if you have no criminal history. This is more likely if you have a very common name, since the system may pull records for multiple people that need to be sorted out.
The good news is that background check delays are very rarely a dealbreaker for your PetSmart job. The hiring manager will usually keep in touch with you if they need any additional information or the process is taking longer than expected. And you can always reach out to them as well for an update if you‘ve been waiting a while with no news.
Does PetSmart hire felons?
The short answer is: it‘s possible, but it depends on the specifics of your record and the job you‘re applying for.
PetSmart doesn‘t have a blanket policy against hiring felons, but they do consider criminal history on a case-by-case basis. Certain convictions are very likely to disqualify you, like animal abuse, violent crimes, or sexual offenses. But for less severe felonies, you may still be considered if enough time has passed and you can demonstrate rehabilitation.
Your chances are best if your felony conviction is at least 7 years in the past (the typical lookback period for a background check), isn‘t directly relevant to the job duties, and you‘re applying for an entry-level position. It also helps if you have strong references, a solid work history since your conviction, and are upfront with the hiring manager.
That said, there are certain positions at PetSmart that will be extremely difficult to land with a felony record. Anything involving grooming, training, or working with children is likely to have a higher bar for background requirements. Management roles will also be tougher, since they involve more responsibility and liability for the company.
Ultimately, the best approach is to be honest in your application and background check consent forms. Trying to hide your record will only hurt your chances and draw suspicion. Instead, focus on demonstrating your qualifications for the job and how you‘ve learned and grown from your past mistakes. This will give you the best shot at convincing PetSmart to give you a chance.
Conclusion & Key Takeaways
PetSmart‘s hiring process may seem daunting at first, but by knowing what to expect and preparing accordingly, you‘ll be set up for success. As animal lovers, PetSmart looks for associates who are responsible, trustworthy, and passionate about providing top-notch care to pets and their owners. The background check is a key tool for them to ensure they‘re building a safe and reliable team.
While you can‘t control exactly how long your background check will take, you can help the process go as smoothly as possible by:
- Filling out the application and consent forms completely and accurately
- Providing up-to-date contact information for past employers and references
- Responding promptly if the hiring manager or background check agency reaches out for more info
- Being upfront if you have any criminal history and preparing to explain the circumstances
Armed with this knowledge, you‘re well on your way to acing the PetSmart hiring process and starting your dream job working with animals. Just stay patient with the background check process, and know that PetSmart is invested in giving every applicant a fair chance while also ensuring a safe environment for pets, customers, and employees.
Happy job hunting, and give a puppy an extra snuggle for us when you land that PetSmart gig!
