Mark O's Bar and Grill Hiring Overview For 2023

Official company policy for hiring felons

When we asked for their official policy, Mark O’s Bar & Grill simply told us:

“Yes, we would hire a reliable previous felon.”

Has Mark O’s Bar and Grill hired felons in the past?

The company representative told us they haven’t hired felons in the past that they’re aware of. While this doesn’t seem to say much, it is actually very telling. They wouldn’t be able to tell you if any of their staff were ex-felons, so they could have hired one already!

Does Mark O’s Bar and Grill hire people with misdemeanors?

We don’t have the answer to this question specifically. However, misdemeanors are less serious than felonies so they probably will.

Will Mark O’s Bar and Grill hire you with pending charges?

Pending misdemeanor charges? Probably. Otherwise, the restaurant may want to wait until your charges are resolved to decide.

Is Mark O’s Bar and Grill on the Ban the Box list?

Have you heard of Ban the Box? What about the Fair Chance Business Pledge? If you’re an ex-offender looking for work, these are two initiatives that are designed to help. Here’s how:

• Companies put their name on the Ban the Box list to show that they won’t ask about your record before your job qualifications. Therefore, a criminal record check box isn’t on the application form.
• Employers who’ve signed the Fair Chance Business Pledge commit to fair treatment for all job applicants, even ex-felons.

Our detective work indicates that the restaurant isn’t associated with either of these programs, regrettably.

Does Mark O’s Bar and Grill have special programs for hiring felons?

No, they don’t have any special programs.

What are the odds someone with a felony will get hired?

In our opinion, the odds are average. The restaurant spokesperson told us that you can get a job at Mark O’s Bar & Grill with a felony . . . however, they don’t remember an ex-offender ever being hired. There’s also no online information from staff who’ve been hired with a criminal record.

Additionally, they’re not involved in equality movements like Ban the Box or the Fair Chance Business Pledge, so they may still judge based on criminal history off the hop. And, despite our efforts, we haven’t found a job application to confirm if they ask about criminal records.

That said,  if you’re in Munster, IN, and like pizza, you really should consider applying here!

What are some entry-level jobs?

We need to tell you up-front that our efforts haven’t turned up any information about job openings at Mark O’s Bar and Grill. Having said that, they likely have the types of jobs that most restaurant/bar establishments do, such as:

• Host/Hostess
• Food Server
• Bartender
• Cook

If you’re good with people, a fast learner and quick on your feet, one of these fast-paced positions may be for you.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

Mark O’s Bar & Grill takes applicants at all its locations. Their website has a contact us tab that you can use to email them to ask if they have job openings, potentially, but it’s best to go into the bar itself.

With that in mind, here’s our thinking on the best approach to get a job at Mark O’s Bar & Grill with a felony:

Research the restaurant — Read their website and look at customer reviews online. Ask around for someone who works there and find out what it’s like. If you don’t know anyone, drop by for a bite to eat and chat with your bartender or server.

Refresh your resume — Make sure that it’s up-to-date. Describe your experience using words like “fast-paced,” “customer-focused” and “teamwork” where you can. Include any volunteering you’ve done, as well as some good work and character references.

Bring your resume in — Drop by the restaurant when it’s not too busy and ask for the manager. Leave your resume with them and be ready to fill out an application form if they give you one. Be pleasant and professional.

Remain available for a call — Keep your phone handy to be sure you don’t miss an interview opportunity. It’s okay to follow-up in a couple of weeks, too. Being persistent in a respectful way shows your strong desire for a job.

Present your best self — Practice talking about your strengths and why you’d be a good hire. This includes any lessons learned from your criminal past. Whoever sits down to interview you will be asking all about your work history.

And, here’s our list of common interview questions to get you started:

• Why do you want to work for us?
• Tell me about a time when you had to handle a difficult customer.
• What’s your greatest weakness and how are you working on it?
• Explain how you got along with a challenging co-worker.
• Were you ever fired from a job? What happened?

Think up a few of your own that are specific to your background to be fully prepared!

We’re not sure. They haven’t told us their policy. Having said that, plan to prove that you’re eligible to work in the United States. That’s a basic background check requirement.

It’s essential to understand the following about how background checks are done by state:

Maybe you have no new offenses on your record in the past seven years. Then take heart if you’re applying for jobs in these states since they don’t want to know about older offenses:

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

(*sometimes certain pay or salary brackets require one.)

Not guilty verdicts aren’t included in background checks for these states. Since they’re on this list, it might help you see under what conditions exactly does Mark O’s Bar & Grill hire felons.

• Alaska
• California
• Hawaii
• Indiana (limited check)
• Kentucky
• Massachusetts
• Michigan
• New York

But, be careful if you live in any of the following states. Employers will see your whole record in a background check:

• Alabama
• Arizona
• Arkansas
• Connecticut
• DC
• Delaware
• Florida
• Idaho
• Indiana (extensive check)
• Iowa
• Louisiana
• Maine
• Mississippi
• Missouri
• Nebraska
• New Jersey
• North Carolina
• North Dakota
• Ohio
• Oregon
• Rhode Island
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Utah
• Vermont
• Virginia
• West Virginia
• Wisconsin
• Wyoming

Company ratings

Would you believe that there are no online ratings for Mark O’s Bar & Grill from employees?

The fact that customer reviews are fair to very good may say something about what it’s like to work for the business, though. You’ll have to let us know!

What felonies Mark O’s Bar and Grill will not hire

Mark O’s didn’t share the types of felonies that would stop you from getting hired, so we’re not sure if there are any outright nos.

What felony convictions might have a hard time getting hired here?

Several types of convictions might make it difficult for you to get hired at this restaurant.

For example, a criminal record for assault, harassment or something along those lines work against you. Mark O’s Bar & Grill is focused on creating a good customer experience. They need to make sure that their staff aren’t aggressive (or worse!) with customers or coworkers.

Another type of offense that can be a problem is anything related to the business of serving food or alcohol. Have you ever been charged with tampering with a customer’s food order or serving liquor to someone underage? If you have, be prepared to explain the circumstances.

Does Mark O’s Bar and Grill hire sex offenders?

We don’t know if they would hire someone with that background, but we think it would be very hard to get a job here with sex offenses on your background.

Does Mark O’s Bar and Grill drug test?

Unfortunately, we can find no information about whether they do or don’t.

Have you applied for a job or worked here? Share your experiences!

We want to know what you know! What’s your story about how to get hired at Mark O’s Bar & Grill?