Background Check Paranoia

I used to work for a very large trucking industry in a recruiting/hiring function (not hr) and I worked directly with people that had to do background checks for drivers looking to be hired. Anyways while I worked there, numerous people told me that by law, they were not allowed to ask the drivers former company what type of employee he was. The only thing they were allowed to ask was: if he worked there, the dates of employment, Accidents (doesn't apply here), and if he had filed a workers comp claim. So I don't know if this rule applies across all industries, but it would make sense. Think about it, any asshole could bad mouth you at anytime on a ref check and screw you out of a job. So it would make sense that they control something like that. That's probably why some firms also ask for references. Just thought I'd offer my 2 cents, hope it all works out for you.

I feel the same! It's probably just because we worked so hard that, so anything/everything scares the crap out of us.

Does anybody know how/whether they'll check extra curricular activities from the CV too? Something like "I am part of the organisation team of the event X at University Y".. Since my application was submitted in september 2009, a lot has changed in my ECs and verification of these things is generally difficult.. so what do you think/have you experienced? If that activity were to be proven false/ a lie, would that even be a valid reason to retreat the whole offer?

^^^ I really don't think they have a way to check extracurriculars. Besides, they usually do it by a third party agency and most of them don't provide such services. I think the main thing they are looking for is GPA/Major, Employment, and Background/Criminal Check.

Does anybody have experience with the timeframe for these checks?

i think it takes up to 1 month.. some banks havent even started yet..

I was told between 2 to 4 weeks.

last year about 4 weeks into working i get a call from hr about the company doing our background checks not being able to confirm my "attendance at school name". i had to figure it out because thats all the info i was given...apparently i had forgotten to pay a parking ticket i didnt even remember getting on campus and so they had a hold on my transcript...it was no big deal

any other experiences concerning a check on extra curricular campus activities?

samiam, were your ecs checked? are they even part of the background check form?

if there are any questions regarding what you have will they contact you first or will they just say you failed the background check?

guys, are you telling me no one has been background checked yet and does therefore (for a fact) know how on campus extra curriculars are treated? common..

I think that it is a good sign that after a quick search on the forums, I have only found one case of somebody losing their offer/job due to the background check (and it was a HUGE LIE, like making up a position & inflating grades a lot)

I am sure if somebody on WSO lost theirs they would have complained about it/asked what to do.

We all need to relax... easier said than done, of course

hi all, do they check on awards, clubs, and previous colleges? I only listed my last university and one of the awards I got was included as a scam 2 years later (I was scammed).

What I have is also challenging.

I have been given an offer from a BB. However, due to my prior working exp., I am pretty confident that the agency will not be able to find out my data in my prior employer.

The situation is that I am in a country (A) with interesting relationship with the other one (B). The bank in country A was not allowed to direcly set up a branch in country B(it is fine now). As such, a consulting firm was established by the bank in country B. I was hired by the consulting firm to work in country B but not directly by the bank I worked for. Since this was a grey area, the consulting firm was disbanded at least 2 times and had a couple different names. To protect the bank's employees in country B, there would be no data kept in the bank.

I literally do not know how my prior employer would report my employee record to background check agency. I am confident that I will not pass my background check. Should I contact hr directly? Or should I wait?

Just wait and see what happens. They do not always check with foreign employers. If they do, and it raises questions, just explain your story to HR. They should believe it. Besides, it is not like HR is out to get you or anything. Even if one "fails" the background check, it is not a sure thing that it will cost him or her the offer. In your case, I don't think it will cause any problems. Just relax.

Guys can you tell me if you guys went through Bulge bracket. Would a reckless driving charge hurt and should I just be upfront about it ?? and when should i tell them about it

If they asked if you have been charged with a misdemeanor then you answer yes. If the ask to explain then say the charge and the pending legal action you took "dismissed" "deferred disposition", etc.. Generally the will only ask for felonies, and are more worried about fraud, securities fraud etc.

Bottom line, I wouldn't worry about it. If they ask be fully honest.

Those background companies have offices in many countries so have no problem checking with foreign employers. Also, most colleges will not disclose your academic record to the 3rd party even if you grant the background company permission to obtain one. As for a minor wrongdoing, it's nothing. Felonies, securities fraud are bad.

Why is everyone so worried about their driving record? you did not apply for a driving position did you?

i know but in dumbass texas you get arrested for reckless driving (20 mph over the limit) so it shows up as misdemeanor b and an arrest. So should i be upfront when I tell them I have signed my offer sheet or when should i tell them?

[never mind]

Dude, nothing is going to happen. I know people who outright lied about VERY serious things that never came to surface (not very common), but the point is, it takes a lot of fuck you over in this respect.

^I think you are right. I think everyone is just worried/apprehensive because almost everyone embellished a bit on their resume to spin it into an ibanking resume as M&I suggests. Note, I did NOT say lie or anything close to lying ex: President of xxx when you we just a member. Rather if you worked on an M&A deal or did comps you put that down on your resume even if you did it 10% of the time and 90% of the time you were getting coffee/working on administrative stuff.

From what I've read everything should be fine UNLESS you outright lied, then I'd worry.

hi,

i just received an offer from an investment bank and i had a question regarding the background check. i did not make up any info on my CV, but i did mention an internship that i am expecting to do in the next months. however, this internship might be cancelled due to visa difficulties....is this going to be a problem for them? i have the internship offer documents and contract signed to prove that it was a genuine offer, but will that suffice?

How can they check your GPA? Under Federal Law your parents can't even see. Just curious how they would go about doing that? Maybe ask your professors or academic advisor?

^ they can't, even with your signed permission but one may be asked to submit a copy of it.