State Farm Hiring Overview For 2023

Founded 1922

Type Public

Headquarters Bloomington, IL

Size Large Corporation

Industry Insurance

Are you trying to get your life back on track with a criminal record in tow? The insurance industry might seem out-of-reach, but have you ever wondered: Does State Farm hire felons? You might be surprised!

They’re best known for their home, vehicle and life insurance. So, if you’re interested in becoming a sales agent or customer service representative, we’ll show you how to get hired at State Farm with a felony. We’ll start by answering these questions, and more:

  • Does State Farm hire people with misdemeanors?
  • What are some entry-level positions?
  • Does State Farm do background checks?
  • Will my felony disqualify me?

We’ve been in your shoes and know it’s tough finding work with a record. Our team is mostly made up of ex-offenders. That’s why we directly contact companies and ask them if they hire former felons. 

We also do tons of background research to help with your application and the interview process. Relaunch Pad wants you to live your best life!

So, without further delay, let’s take a look at how to get hired at State Farm with a felony record.

Add your own company review

Share your experiences working for a particular company. It really helps!

Does State Farm hire felons?

State Farm logo

Official company policy for hiring felons

We’ve tried reaching out to State Farm to find out their policy on hiring felons, but haven’t received a response. We did, however, find this on their website:

“State Farm will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with all applicable laws.”

Has State Farm hired felons in the past?

Yes, but our sources were conflicted on this one. The consensus seemed to be that the hires are on a case-by-case basis.

Does State Farm hire people with misdemeanors?

Online reports show they will hire people with misdemeanors.

Reviews

Total Reviews (0)

Interviews

Total Interviews (0)

What are the chances of State Farm hiring a felon?

Is State Farm on the Ban the Box list?

Ban the Box was initiated by All of Us or None. It encourages companies to remove the checkbox from their applications asking about prior convictions. The Fair Chance Business Pledge is a similar program. It’s an initiative started during the Obama Administration asking employers to look past your criminal background and focus on your prior work history, skills, and ethics instead.

Regretfully, State Farm doesn’t participate in either of these programs.

Does State Farm have special programs for hiring felons?

State Farm doesn’t have any special hiring programs for felons at this time. If you’re interested in this, check with your local employment agency or workforce development office for more information.

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

Uncertain likelihood of hiring felons

After extensive research, we give your odds of getting hired at State Farm with a felony as uncertain. We haven’t received an official company statement yet, but we found out they’ll consider people with criminal records so you still may be eligible for an entry-level position. That said, it seems the older the record the better, as well as having more minor offenses.

How to get hired at State Farm with a felony

What are some entry-level jobs?

The main entry-level job at State Farm is in customer service. In this position, you’ll be responsible for assisting customers with their policies as well as keeping up-to-date records.

If you have an Associate’s degree or are in college, you might qualify for a Claim Associate’s position where your main duties will be to investigate claims.

Starting off in an entry-level position lets you learn your way around the company, giving you a better shot at promotions and bonuses down the line.

Tips to get hired here with a felony

You’ve decided State Farm is a good fit for you, but you aren’t sure how to get hired after a felony? You’ll want to start off with a great resume. We’ve got some helpful tips. If you really want to make it stand out, check out our Complete Guide to Making an Incredible Resume (for Former Felons).

And don’t forget to review their Frequently Asked Questions page! Seriously, they have a lot of good information.

Create a profile and find a job that you’re qualified for. From there, you’ll submit your application and resume. Be thorough! State Farm says to make sure you fill in all blanks.

You’ll need to make sure you have your work history ready. If you have a lot of experience, pick work that pertains to the position. For example, have you worked in customer service? Or maybe you’ve worked for a competing insurance agency?

Include any skills that you can bring to the table — answering phones, data entry, customer service, etc. A lot of jobs have you answer phones and take messages, so think about when you’ve done those tasks. You’ve got more experience than you think!

Check for spelling, grammatical and punctuation errors. You want your resume to look professional. This is an insurance agency, after all!

Now, let’s review some tips for nailing the interview process at State Farm. This may be a video interview or in-person with a hiring manager or acquisition team member.

The first thing you’ll want to do is dress to impress. Choose business-casual attire, like dress pants and a nice shirt. If you have tattoos or piercings, hide them or take them out if you can. You can find out about the company’s policy on these things later.

Arrive 15 minutes early. This will give you a chance to fill out any pre-interview paperwork while showing the company that you can be on time. If interviewing by video, be sure to find a quiet area free of distractions.

Once the interview begins, be confident in your answers. Answer them positively. They’ll want to know that you won’t crack under pressure. Be pleasant, with good manners. Keep your eyes open and speak clearly and accurately. Try not to say “um” or “uh” when thinking about how to answer a question.

Give specific examples of times you’ve excelled in customer service. The interview is when you make the skills you listed on your resume stand out.

Be truthful and upfront about your record. They’ll find out anyway, it’s best to be honest. Plus you can put a positive spin on it!

Does State Farm do background checks?

Yes, their website states they’ll do a background check before an employment offer is made.

Here’s what you need to know about background checks:

If your state is on this list, you’re in luck. They only go back seven years. However, if your charge was six years ago, we suggest waiting a year before applying here:

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

(* sometimes certain pay or salary bracket positions require one.)

Even better, these states don’t look at any not guilty verdicts:

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

Keep in mind, however, that there are some states that will look at your whole record, including those not guilty cases. Be aware if your state is on this list:

  • 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

We did some research on State Farm’s ratings. Glassdoor.com gives them 3.1 stars out of a possible 5. Of the 9,000 reviews, most said the work environment and benefits are great, but it can be challenging to meet sales goals.

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

Does State Farm hire felons? They say they’ll consider people with a criminal record, but certain felonies will hurt your chances. State Farm says this about their hiring policy on certain convictions:

“Without the prior written consent of the applicable regulatory authorities, federal law prohibits State Farm from employing persons with certain convictions for criminal offenses involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or money laundering, including offenses involving the illegal manufacturing, sale, distribution of or trafficking in controlled substances, or who entered into certain pretrial diversion or similar programs in connection with the prosecution of such offenses.”

Does State Farm drug test?

State Farm does drug test. It’s stated on their FAQ page that one will be performed during the hiring process.

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

Did you get a job at State Farm with a felony? Was this article instrumental in making that happen? We’d love to hear the details. It’s your chance to help someone else in our community.

Other companies that hire felons