Background checks when applying for jobs

LegacyUser

There was a thread similar to this a while back where someone was wondering whether to agree to a background check and run the risk of the company finding that he had a criminal record, but this is more generic.

I have a criminal record for something I did 4 years ago. It's serious enough - I don't particularly want to mention what it is, but it's bad enough to blacken my image if discovered. I never did time for it (I only received a fine), which is the one thing I have in my advantage.

Anyway, I've been looking for a new job lately. I was employed through the whole trial and court proceedings and I'm still with the same company, so there's been no 'break' in my employment, but I'm worried that if I get a job with a new company, quit my current one and have a background check run on me by the new company, that they'll find out and, well, do whatever they would do in that situation.

Does anyone know if many companies actually check these kind of things out?

Sleepy

It depends on your industry to be honest. I've never heard of a background check being run on someone in most jobs, tbh the only person I know personally that was undergoing one was starting to work with the American diplomatic service. I'd say you're fairly safe given that you didn't serve time, and that you've held a job throughout.

The one thing I would be worried about is if the job involves or could involve travel to the states...

leeroybrown

Just agree to the background check and answer any question they ask honestly. The only one I'd see you getting caught on is the issue of traveling to the US as mentioned by Sleepy. If they ask you if you are willing to travel (without specifically mentioning the US), just say yes.

If they turn up something they don't like then they won't employ you. So long as you answer everything they ask you honestly they'll have no grounds to sack you after you get the job.

Palmerstown04

Its american companies signature move on potential employees the olde background check. The most common agency used is a company called checkback just use google to locate there website etc. Once a check has been done it is recorded on a US database for future reference. So lie about ur record and dont give them a whiff of it in the interview. Normally if there are any anomalies in the references and previous jobs they will dig further. Records start at age 18 years anything prior to that is a juvenile offence and not counted. Ir i was u this is what i would do to be sure ::

Ring Checkback or email from a non free account like hotmail or fmail etc but a legitimate looking one. Advise your a business (small) and you need to run a check on an employee because they will be handling the cash flow of the business. Give ur own name etc. and see what they retrieve.

If its all clear u can be sure no other company that checks will find it otherwise ull be in the know anyhow!!

Good Luck Son


'may said force be with you'

Palmerstown04

if you want me to carry out this process for you because you'll get one bite at the cherry. I would be most delighted to carry it out for you for the same sum of 25 euros. Not much for the wealth attached to peace of mind you'll agree.

Sleepless nights will be vanquished by the dawn of new beginnings - I urge u to embrace this spot on info with a correct handling fee!!

Palmerstown04

I retract my current offer in the previous threads until i find out the legal aspect of my position on this. If there appears to be any infraction dubious or otherwise which is outside the data protection act etc. etc, then obviously being a law abidding citizen there will be no action taken

That didnt actually occur to me. Thanks for the PM.

qwertyphobia

if you are looking for a job in the health board or and careing profession a back ground check is standard, don't know what the result would be for what you have done.

but if you are thinking of working in that area maybe phone up the HR dapartment of similar work places and ask them would this be an issue?

edit also to say the background check there is done with the gardai so a conviction would show up

Paulw

It really depends on the industry. I've had jobs before where a full check was done (I can confirm that it was done, since my position (when employed) gave me access to the information). They did a full check, including checks with the Gardai.

No travel was involved in my job.

But, many jobs and industries do checks.

It's better for you to be honest with them, because if they find out after they employ you, they can actually fire you on the spot for not being honest in your application.

Tommy Vercetti

All civil service (inc. health boards, teaching, etc.) do a full background check on you, and as far as I know, they will not employ someone with a record, regardless of how minor it is.

It will really depend on the company, if it's a small Irish company, for example, they probably won't do it. Is it possible that you could find out from someone who already works for them?

qwertyphobia

thats not stricly true I know a number of people working in health board jobs who have preivious convictions.

They where from a good few years before they applied for the job and where a of a public order offence type