BB background check process

Wondering if people can speak to the background check process, and if most banks, especially BB, apply the same process (employment record, drugs test, criminal record). I'm going through the lateral hiring process at a European BB in NYC and am curious how this process works. I've read that at some places results come in only after you've started working. I wouldn't want to quit my current banking job and start a new one, only to learn a few weeks into my new job that my background/record check doesn't pass. Are some third parties that the BBs employ for checks more detailed and go deeper than others?

Any insight would be much appreciated.

 

That stuff will show up on a background check so when they ask you about it in an interview, at least be honest and take responsibility. You'll really strike out if you try to blame someone else or circumstances.

Also, Since you seem to have been squeaky clean for 3 years, you can say that you've turned a new leaf. The three years of work experience and a clean record will do a lot for you.

 

There are definitely far worse people out there, and while your record will raise a few eyebrows, trying to hide it will definitely slam pretty much every door in your face (in other words, if the bank does a background check, they will find out and if you lie about it, you have zero shot).

While I wouldn't throw this information out in my cover letter, resume and as an icebreaker during my interviews (yes, I'm exaggerating), if you are directly asked about it, don't deny it, take responsibility for your action, chalk it up to bad college decisions and highlight how you've completely moved past it (which you can support through your current and past positions over the past 3 years).

Good luck.

 

Whatever arrests occurred before age 18 are automatically removed from your record when you reach age 21. You do not need to own up to them because your record gets wiped clean at age 21. Whatever arrests occurred after age 18 remain on your record basically forever until you get a Governor pardon or court order to have the record expunged. The two offenses which may cause problems are "Assault and Battery" and "Obstruction of Justice". This is more because HR is concerned about liability issues. Like, if HR overlooks this arrest and then later on you assault someone in the office, then HR is in thick shit.

 
TraderJoe1976:
Whatever arrests occurred before age 18 are automatically removed from your record when you reach age 21. You do not need to own up to them because your record gets wiped clean at age 21.

Not always true...

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

From 38k feet it doesn't look too bad - in college, alcohol related, 3 years ago with 3 years of finance experience since. I see the value in having a track record so that is why I chose to work at small shops that failed to do background checks.

Now that I have relocated to NY however, and have been speaking with BB, I will need to be ready for the concerns.

 

I would hope that the BB is concerned about the underlying reasons why you have caused trouble and whether you have overcome them. Someone with anger issues will snap regardless of whether they are intoxicated or not. I dunno, I suppose you admit it if asked directly.

 

Snooki - this is my current delimma. I did not answer this with a yes on a recent BB online app. It seems rediculous to cut myself short from the get go before even being considered for my experience or interviewing by phone. I have a phone screen with BB next week and answered no on online pre-app. I think I am just going to say "I just made the online profile and was going to change it once I looked back at my specific charges" - which I did...................will cross the disclosure bridge when I get there.

 
drexelalum11:
DUI is a felony isn't it, so wouldn't you have court records that show up?
Court records are retained forever, and they are public information. Any conviction will show up if someone looks for it. Companies that background search criminal records for employers make a practice of collecting this information from every state and county in the USA. Even if you get a conviction expunged, the private companies will still have it in their databases. Your DUI will show up. The best policy is to admit to it if a job application asks for misdemeanors. If the application only asks for felonies, they answer accordingly. However, a 2nd DUI, or a DUI combined with an accident is usually a felony. If the application asks about misdemeanors, and you do not admit to the DUI, then you will be both, convicted and a liar. It is much better to be truthful. Then have an explanation ready that is honest but puts you in the best light.
 
NYCadvisor:
No a DUI is definitely not a felony; murder/ burglary are felonies. And it was underage drinking charge but one of the things they did was suspend my license. If you have nothing constructive to say, please do not post.

Actually there are certain instances where a DUI can be charged as a felony (injuries resulting, multiple offenses, etc).

And if you ask him nicely maybe drexel will apologize for hurting your feelings.

 
NYCadvisor:
No a DUI is definitely not a felony; murder/ burglary are felonies. And it was underage drinking charge but one of the things they did was suspend my license. If you have nothing constructive to say, please do not post.

I'm sawry :( Did I hurt your feelings?

Last I checked a felony was anything you could go to jail to for one year or more, and I'm pretty sure you can get a year for dui, depending on a number of factors. But my contributions are not constructive, so I won't waste your time with advice

 
PussInBoots:
Wait, they suspended your license for underage drinking and your car was not involved in any way? Very, very fishy. How drunk were you?

Some of my close friends had pretty bad experience w/ underage drinking and none of them got license suspended or even heard of someone getting that punishment.

In my home state you get your license suspended for underage drinking IF you don't do the underage drinking class. I think I've heard it is an auto suspension in PA though.

 
dipset1011:
DUI is a felony.....either way your an idiot for drinking and driving.

In NY state if you get a dui and do not cause any harm to others it is a misdemeanor...TRUST ME ON THIS ONE...

PS: if you do have one, be honest about it and most places won't ding you. The only place I heard that dings you for a dui is GS.... I could be wrong but ML, CS, and Citi do not.. If you try and hide the fact, they will find out, and you can kiss your chance good-bye!

 

God, does it matter? This has no relevance to the original question, he lives in a state like mine (PA) which automatically suspends your license if you are caught drinking underage, regardless of how drunk and even if a car was not involved at all. He did not get a DUI.

To answer your question, I'm pretty sure this will not show up, underage drinking should not show up on the bg check (I don't think) and even if they saw the DL suspension, that by itself shouldn't be grounds for any kind of action. I wouldn't worry.

Jack: They’re all former investment bankers who were laid off from that economic crisis that Nancy Pelosi caused. They have zero real world skills, but God they work hard. -30 Rock
 

You'll be fine. A good friend of mine is an analyst and he had something similar happen, and his HR told him that getting busted for underage drinking is nothing - they could give a shit. A DUI is a bit of a different story because of the poor judgment it shows, but you'll be OK if it is only underage drinking.

 
FinancialTimes2009:
I assume that the best move would still be to disclose it? The background check that I'm doing specifically tells you to list any felonies AND misdemeanors - I assume that underage drinking (or any drinking citation) would be a misdemeanor.

That would probably be best. I'd check to see if it is a misdemeanor though, it might just be a civil offense

 

If you're really worried I would do the following. Email your contacts at the previous boutique that you worked at that you know at the most senior level and feel comfortable with. Literally tell them what you just wrote. You decided to stay in school longer because you wanted to pursue other opportunities, and "maybe" wanted to pursue an extra minor or major which extended your college career by a bit, and you also wanted to take time to think about your future plans as well. Mention you just got an offer at a BB for another SA gig right there in the email as well in division X or whatever it is, and ask for his thoughts on exit opportunities that he knows of in the future or some dumb question. You are now in the clear if the background check calls the boutique bank and they are completely dumbfounded.

You don't need to do all that cause nothing will happen though.

 
love.live.life:

I honestly don't think it will matter. If you told them it was unpaid, worst case scenario is they will ask you to provide a contact, in which case you can find the PM on LinkedIn and ask for his info.

They never asked if it was unpaid or not, I filled out the contact info as best I could but after I posted this I went looking for the PM and I think he went off the grid, deleted his LinkedIn account etc... I provided the contact info of the firm that it was merged into.

 

What goes into a background check? I did not have to do one for my internship last summer, but will have one for this summer

"I must create a system or be enslaved by another man's." William Blake
 

Yes they do. You'll be asked to fill in forms and the corporate security team/outsourced security firm will do the due diligence e.g. checking with your school, checking your references and former employees. If you did overseas internships, they'll even check the validity of your visa/overseas work permit.

 

They usually complete background checks in the couple months leading up to the internship (March / April / May).

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
Bame:

Should I assume Feb then?

It's already March?

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 
Bame:

Talking about next year.

My mistake. Yes, you should expect sometime between February and May.

"For all the tribulations in our lives, for all the troubles that remain in the world, the decline of violence is an accomplishment we can savor, and an impetus to cherish the forces of civilization and enlightenment that made it possible."
 

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