Background checks
I was getting ready to apply for a job on-line. It's an administrative assistant at a university. The listing specifically states that no background check isrequired. At the beginning of the form, there is a field to enter yourSSN; it states that this information is NOT required to complete theappilcation. At the end of the application, you have to check off a box that states that you give them permission to verify all the information you've submitted. Is there a chance they'll do one anyway--if I complete the entire application and include my SSN, won't they be able to do one without my knowing (as they'll have my DOB, SSN, etc.)? Here's why I'm worried: I was arrested for disorderly behavior in college--I literally fell off someone's steps when leaving a party. The police had been called because of the noise, and they found me. I got a ticket and I had to attend alcohol counseling (don't worry: I haven't so much as touched a drink since, and that was about 9 years ago). I'm worried about the arrest showing up on a background check. Please advise. Thank you.
Hi pilsenracine
I'm no expert but it does not sound like you should have any problem even if they do a check. I think that most employers are looking for felonies, violent crimes or crimes related to work (stealing, etc.) Plus, this was 9 years ago and I just cannot see any employer holding this against you. My suggestion would be to fill out the info and hand it in with great confidence. If anything is ever said about that small mistake that happened almost a decade ago, I would just be honest and treat it as a youthful indiscretion. If you treat like a big deal, they might follow your lead!! A University NOT doing a background check seems pretty suspect to me. Certainly not an educational institution that I would trust. To me, it appears that the University will check your places of employment you listed to verify hire and determine first and last days there. Not that they are going to be checking into your credit or criminal histories. You can check a person's background with just a name and date of birth, but what happens is that everybody with that name and dob is listed and only general information provided, such as last place of employment, criminal history (yes or no, no details will be provided), etc. In order to check on a specific person, you need a specific identifier such as a social. Disorderly conduct (behaviour) is generally labeled a misdemeanor and many places do not count misdemeanors against you, only felonies.
Kelly: It is definitely a reputable university (over 100 years old, satellite campuses around the world); my boyfriend actually has a job in facilities at the same university, and he had a background check done on him (they explained that because of 9/11, they have to be especially careful about who they hire to work with things that could go cause considerable physical damage). We have a friend who has an administrative position on campus, who said that the type of background check depends on the position. For any kind of teaching position, the focus tends to be more on your C.V. (perhaps they're assuming someone with a Ph.D. isn't likely to be a crook?), etc. The friend also applied through their website (it's the only way to doso), and said that the position for which she applied also indicatedthat no background check was required. She said she was unable to confirm whether or not they had actually gone ahead and done a background check without her specific permission, as she provided her SSN when she applied through the university's website (although the application states that providing it is optional). You are asked to check a box, allowing the university to verify all of the information you provided, and she thinks this may indirectly mean that you are consenting to a background check anyway (although that term isn't used). She also thinks that, as you stated, "it appears that the University will check your places ofemployment you listed to verify hire and determine first and last daysthere. Not that they are going to be checking into your credit orcriminal histories". | ||||
|
Career Tips
|