Ok, I have literally read 40 posts asking the same thing. I remember applying for jobs and I never once paid this any worry. I am coming to the opinion that almost every undergraduate kid trying to get a job is grossly inflating their resume or something. Here are some rules which should eliminate all this worrying and incessant asking of the same question over and over again.
What Does a Background Check Include
- GPA: You know how you round numbers in normal math, well the same rules apply for GPA. You have a 3.25, you can round to a 3.3. If you feel uncomfortable doing this then put your exact GPA on your resume. Trust me, no one cares if you got a 3.37 or a 3.4, fractional differences in GPA are not going to get you a job.
- Previous employment: Background check companies are verifying dates of employment. You are not applying for the head of Goldman Sachs. They are not going to grill every single person you worked with. This is quick and dirty. You are not as important as you think you are.
- Criminal record: If you didn't get convicted or found guilty of a misdemeanor then your not going to have a criminal record. Pissing on a wall is not going to show up or ruin your chances. If you worry so much about it now you should have thought harder in the first place. Banks are looking for theft, fraud, crimes which make you look untrustworthy, stuff like that. If you think it is a big deal then disclose it. Bankers are not priests, they have done shit in the past and will most likely understand it if you act like an adult and disclose is.
- Transfer schools: If you transfer only list the school which you are currently attending. That is the whole point of transferring. If the job asks for your transfer college then list it, if not then don't.
Amen. It is all about forthright and honest disclosure; once you've done that most place/people will understand and still hire you, while the ones that don't you probably don't want to work for anyways. Thank you Anthony for summarizing this in one place so that we can just respond to future questions with a link to this post.
Trust me, I totally empathize with kids so close to their ultimate goal, but I think over worrying about things is harmful. Never realized how much stress an otherwise normal and routine practice. If I could just say one thing it would be relax. Unless you grossly exaggerated your resume you should be fine.
how should someone disclose a DUI misdemeanor? On the background check, then call HR up and let them know so they are not to surprised?
Please put this topic on the front page and also whenever new members join WSO from now on, the link to this topic should be sent in an email to them.
I have never seen so many forums pop up on the same ridiculous question as there has been for this topic.
Just list it if they ask for it. Have a story to explain what you learned, how you grew, whatever. This is finance, not the church. Unless you ran over someone with a 1.5 BAC they should understand. I am not an expert though, thats just my .02 cents.
is it really best to not put your first school GPA?
Didn't want to make a new thread for this, so figured I'd just ask here.
It's been ages since I had any communication from HR about the results of my background check or drug-test. There's no place for me to check the status online either. Is it alright to call up HR and follow-up, or should I do this directly with the 3rd party background check firm (I know which firm is performing the checks)?
I would probably just check with HR. Everything could be fine and they are just taking care of other things. In general you are not going to be called and told that your drug test and background check was fine. Only called when things go wrong.
Hi ...
So the only real major thing to worry about is the obivious i guess on the background checks: 1) Fabricating exam results and employment details 2) Criminal records
Do they check credit records / personal background check from your peers?
Many thanks!!
Is it true that BB's, like GS do not hire people with DUI's?
Let's put it this way, if you were looking at an entry-level hire that had a DUI, why the hell would you invite them for an interview? Unless you're god's gift to man, in which case you wouldn't even be asking this question.
Can a DUI be overcome? Yes. How do you find out if you can overcome it? Apply.
I totally understand. Let me expand on the scenario then. What if you have gone through the interview process, received an offer from Goldman, signed the contract, and are now currently going through the background check experience. Would having this DUI, from 7 years ago, make Goldman rescind the offer?
Who the hell cares about a DUI?
That is the attitude I am hoping for from the HR dept.
Playing Devil's advocate, as an HR person I'd worry that: 1) you did something stupid (and got caught, but 7 years is a long time) and 2) did you disclose it if they asked you to? If no on the second you're fucked.
Well I see disclosed it. From what I understand a Goldman background check is looking forfeited and foremost dishonesty in any form, so disclose everything. Since the incident 7 years ago I have a clean driving record and a stable academic and employment history. I suppose my paranoia stems from the amount of time the background check is taking, now around 2 weeks.
Sorry, auto correct screwed that up.
Well I def disclosed it. From what I understand a Goldman background check is looking for first and foremost dishonesty in any form, so disclose everything. Since the incident 7 years ago I have a clean driving record and a stable academic and employment history. I suppose my paranoia stems from the amount of time the background check is taking, now around 2 weeks.
The background check takes time because they're doing a lot of those checks. If you disclosed it and still got the interviews, you probably have nothing to worry about.
In your opinion, and also those on the thread, seeing as I have this misdemeanor from seven years ago on my criminal record, do you think it is a bad sign that I have not been asked to explain the charge and situation? I have read and heard about people being called and questioned about charges on their criminal record and curious why I have not been questioned either at this point in the process. Does anyone have any input regarding this?
I have no clue. I'm not in-industry, my advice is anecdotal, common sense, or based on different industries. That said, if you got the interviews after disclosing and they didn't ask you about it, it probably means one of two things:
1) They don't care. Since it was 7 years ago, this is probably true, but it could also mean... 2) They're not going forward with you and won't waste their time asking about it.
Really all you can do is wait to hear back at this point. I wouldn't sit around worrying about it. I'd keep networking and look for other opportunities just in case this doesn't pan out.
I was 1,000% convinced when I clicked this that it was going to be about gun laws. I was pleasantly surprised.
I also get the vibe that people are really stretching the truth on their resumes given how much freaking out people do over background checks. If you don't lie and aren't a felon, you should be fine.
Thanks for your input, that makes me feel better. I am just paranoid because I live in Salt Lake City where investment firms are limited so I see this as a great opportunity for an undergraduate, who just got his diploma a week ago, and do have the DUI from 7 years back on my record. I have just heard how particular GS is on who they hire.
Holy shit some people are fucking stupid. Let's say you have a DUI (and I would hold that against you - the only difference between the drunk driver who kills someone and the one who doesn't is luck) -- the only way to find out if that's a problem is TO FUCKING APPLY AND FUCKING WAIT.
Thanks! Sorry to offend you with my previous transgression. It was a mistake that I regret and am still disappointed with myself for doing.
Tons of people have DUIs, you'll be fine.
I transferred with a 3.6 after sophomore year and have a 4.0 now. Is listing the 4.0 fine? That's what I've been doing, but I don't know whether someone's checked into my first school and dinged me for listing the 4.0.
Also, I spoke with one HR person who told me that having a 3.9 is better than having a 4.0 for whatever reason. Should I get a B?
Velit perferendis sapiente assumenda corrupti amet veritatis. Ex voluptas id et optio illo corporis reprehenderit. Dolore veritatis possimus temporibus quas. Rerum vero nihil iusto accusantium numquam. Non nisi voluptatem quis. Repellat qui delectus fugiat eos iste sapiente. Voluptatem qui aperiam et ut omnis neque mollitia.
Est voluptates pariatur labore mollitia sapiente voluptatum. Assumenda at illum veritatis quisquam tenetur laudantium quod. Maiores quia dolore quas modi optio rerum id. Amet quod aperiam delectus qui vel. Ducimus dicta et dolores inventore ipsum.
Dolores perferendis quia modi vero explicabo cum. Nihil repudiandae consequatur aut molestiae nobis voluptatem. Totam commodi consequatur sunt voluptas voluptates. Odio amet labore aut facere id iste nobis. Omnis et ratione illum quis distinctio optio.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...
Consequatur nam a id reiciendis voluptatem et. Modi in non doloribus vel adipisci. Incidunt enim alias eaque incidunt ut iusto.
Accusantium dolor culpa voluptates. Pariatur aspernatur repudiandae dolor ut est ut. Et eum explicabo veniam consequuntur accusamus molestiae cum.
Voluptates rem tempore culpa omnis unde repellendus. Cumque voluptates voluptates labore aperiam aut excepturi laudantium.
Voluptatem fugit ut odit. Cum unde voluptatibus eum sunt magnam quidem voluptas.