HR types, how can I run a background check on myself?

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Long story short: I was told I was going to get a job pending a criminal record check, but they hired someone else.

Didn't bother to call me either. Fuckers.

This isn't the first time something like this has happened so I'm going to look into it for myself. My record should be totally clean.

Google search brings up a bunch of outfits that offer this kind of thing. It's kind of hard to tell who is legit and who isn't. I'm willing to pay whatever it takes, but I want the professional-grade stuff. I want to see what employers are seeing. What do the big companies use?

Another thing: I've been hired at other places and for volunteer work that required a background check, but I'm not sure they check as thoroughly as some companies. Could there be one just company that is giving false reports and screwing me over?

[Markxxx]

There are different levels which you pay for. You don't get a pass fail grade. When I was in H/R the check we ran covered your criminal history for the last five years. If you pay more you can get a deeper investigation.

Some employers check court records as well, to see if you have bought a home, had a divorce, a bankruptcy etc.

State laws vary. For instance in some states you can't run a credit check on a job unless it specifically fits the qualifications for a job. For instance, if I apply for a job as a controller they CAN run the check. If I apply for a job for a stock boy at Walmart they cannot.

States laws sometimes forbid and sometimes permit you to look but not base it on what you read. For instance, some states may say, you can't run a background that covers "XXX." Others say you CAN run the report but you can't base your decision on it.

Do you think you didn't get the job because of the background check? Jobs are tough and competition is fierce. I've had people check my references and check me out before the first interview. I don't know why they do that, seems like a waste of time, but they do.

I worked at one hotel where ANY criminal problem meant we wouldn't hire you. Of course we would never tell you that, but even misdemeanors counted against you. We would just say, another applicant was better suited.

Did they check your references? I found doing reference checks, people would give you less than stellar recommendations. When I first started I thought, "Why check, who would put down a reference, that was gonna make you look bad." You'd be surprised at how many people do.

Look no employer is gonna be honest and tell you why you weren't hired. If you passed the background check at other places assume you're fine. It's just some companies have higher standards.

One thing that I found was a lot of women had misdemeanors for lewd behavior. I asked a cop friend of mine what that is, and he says "They got drunk in college and flashed their breasts." :)

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Do you think you didn't get the job because of the background check? Jobs are tough and competition is fierce. I've had people check my references and check me out before the first interview. I don't know why they do that, seems like a waste of time, but they do.

I worked at one hotel where ANY criminal problem meant we wouldn't hire you. Of course we would never tell you that, but even misdemeanors counted against you. We would just say, another applicant was better suited.

Did they check your references? I found doing reference checks, people would give you less than stellar recommendations. When I first started I thought, "Why check, who would put down a reference, that was gonna make you look bad." You'd be surprised at how many people do.


I honestly don't know if it was the background check or not. After the last interview the hiring manager said he thought I was going to get the job and even said I was the only one they brought back for a second interview. He even shook my hand and said "congratulations."

And yes, they most certainly did check references. They couldn't contact one so I provided a couple more. And those references called me back and told me what they said.

The hiring manager was even emailing me with updates about what was happening until everything just went silent.

I'm really scratching my head over this.

[jz78817]

I'm really scratching my head over this.

somebody higher up had a son/nephew/friend's son who said higher-up wanted to hire, and you were just interviewed to fulfill a corporate requirement.

[Markxxx]

I have had similar things. Twice in the last three years I was told I had a job just to have the offer reneged. In both cases I was told the guy who quit changed his mind.

I had one lady assign me a project via email. I emailed her back and said, "Did you hire me?" She then emailed me and said, it was in error, they hired someone else.

As a person who had a hand in hiring in the past, when jobs were so easy to come by, I can tell you, it's a MUCH different world now. Employers can be VERY picky for any job.

Do you have arrests? Let's say you were arrested at protest marches for health care. That would be a misdemeanor. One employer may say, "Wow here's a guy with convictions." Another employer might say, "A protest? This guy's a troublemaker, he'll make waves. We won't someone who won't rock the boat."

You see how something can go both ways?

And you may THINK that your references are good, but they might not be. I have asked a simple question like, "What is one weakness," or "What area does Mr X need improvement" and they lost the job due to the references response. And I don't think those references were meant to be harmful. It just came out the wrong way.

So do you have misdemeanors? Look at how those might be interpreted. Do you have credit problems? Have you had court filings? Divorce, bankruptcy, adoptions etc.

I have had several temp agencies I worked for call my references and check my background to make sure, since I have had such a problematic time finding work and they say I did fine.

Sometimes it's bad luck. Any number of services online can be used, we used to pay $29.00 for each background check, when I was an asst controller at a hotel, in 2006, I can't recall who we used.

Any background check you do find online should go back at least five years, and include any public records like court cases (you may be surprised to find outstanding warrants) and a driver's abstract, as well as a list of possible aliases.

Last thing, jobs now almost never call you back to tell you, you didn't get the job. Those days are long over. In the last three years only one place called me back to let me know. And some of these places spend hundreds of dollars flying me out for interviews to different cities, putting me up at hotels, providing meals. But the figure you're smart enough to know if they want you, they'll let you know.

[ImNotPaulAvery]

Nope, no misdemeanors, nothing. I had a speeding ticket once but took defensive driving.

My credit is great. Well above 700 last time I looked.


I was told HR would contact me either way so that's why I was pissed at them.


This isn't the pit so I'm going to stop typing. :mad::mad::mad:

[boozilu]

See if they'll send you a copy -- just say you're curious, not that you want to challenge anything.

[EvilTOJ]

Close your eyes and remember your past. :p

You could try calling the sheriff's office. When I bought a handgun they were in charge of running my background check, they can probably give you a good agency to call.

[Rachellelogram]

I was told HR would contact me either way so that's why I was pissed at them.
Have you attempted to follow up on this? (How did you find out they hired someone else anyway, do you know someone who works at the company?)

I've never been promised to be contacted either way during an interview, it sounds unusual. If I had been promised this, then I would certainly go out of my way to bitch (diplomatically) at the HR department for their lack of follow-through (especially if you were told that in writing). Even if it was just a verbal agreement, though, a short email to the rep or hiring manager you were dealing with would be appropriate (can you feign ignorance that someone else was hired, or does he know you know you didn't get the job yet?).

Something like "I was told by x that I'd hear back regarding the position I applied for. It's been z weeks and I haven't heard anything yet. I was wondering if you have any updates? I'm looking forward to being a part of your organization."
Or, if they know you know someone else got it, "I was told by x/you that I'd hear back regarding the position I applied for. I heard from z that another person got the job. It's unprofessional for x/you not to have followed up as I was promised. I understand that most employers these days don't tell prospective employees that they are no longer being considered, but I don't think your company should make a habit of promising to do so with no intention of delivering."

Don't necessarily expect to hear back, of course. But I think it's a more logical step than shelling out for a background check.

[ethelbert]

I have had a verbal offer that did not come through. In my case it was simply that a hiring freeze was imposed just before they were going to send the offer letter. The guy who made the offer was up front about it and apologized, but (according to him) there was nothing he could do. From that point on I never got too excited about verbal offers. I want to see the letter.

One issue that does come up about background checks is where someone has had a conviction expunged. Theoretically this should mean that there is no record of the arrest and conviction, but nowadays it is practically meaningless because once that record gets on some private database out there, it can show up forever. People think that they can answer "No" to the question about being convicted, but their background check turns up a conviction. You may get a chance to explain yourself, but maybe not. This doesn't sound like it applies to you, but I thought I would mention it.

[electronbee]

As I am someone with a security clearance I check my background every year or so just to be safe. You can do a basic check on yourself:

Go to the local police department and tell them that your job requires you to have a background check and you would like your police record. Now, just so you know, they can only check within their jurisdiction. For me, this is not an issues as I have not moved. If you, in the past, have moved between counties then you would need to contact each county to be safe. Also, colleges/universities may have their own "jurisdiction" which may not show up in a county check, even if they reside in that county. Some counties allow for the record to be sent via mail, others via FAX only, so you'll have to check. I would go back five years to be safe and if you want to go all out go back ten years.

For credit, that's easy, just go and pull your credit. I suggest contacting each one individually as yourself and avoiding those three-in-one deals. Those three-in-one deals may show up on your credit report as someone checking credit. Whereas if you do it yourself for yourself it should not show up.

So, with your police background check and your credit check that will cover just about anything aside from an actual investigator doing that plus interviewing your references.

[Markxxx]

I can tell you things have changed a LOT since 2008, I often hear, "We'll let you know either way, and they never do." I mean let's face it, if they want you they'll call." Why bother them? It's not like they are gonna say, "Oh yeah, we forgot to hire you thanks for reminding us."

As for a verbal agreement, it's worthless. I've had written agreements and they have taken the offer back. You can't do anything even with a written offer. You can't force someone to hire you and you can't sue, unless you can prove actual damage was done. For instance, quitting a job to take one and then not being able to get your old job back.

Even with discrimination, you have to prove, a systematic, system designed to discriminate, not just merely a one time act.

Lawsuits happen and you could get all up in these people's face, but it's not a good idea. Why? 'Cause people talk. I used to work in the hotel industry in Chicago and I can tell you there is an unspoken chain we use for references.

The hotels talk and if your in deep with one, it'll spread to every other hotel not to hire you.

Forget it and move on. When I was in H/R it was in the 90s when everyone had a job. I remember offering $15/hr for a night auditor and NO ONE APPLIED. We couldn't keep desk clerks 'cause one wrong word out of a manager, such as, "You're late," the desk clerk would throw a fit, quit and walk out. He was out of work about 10 minutes.

Now the situation has changed. Employers are firmly in charge and they know it. They don't have to be nice. But to be fair a lot of H/R is now outsourced. Instead of an H/R unit, you may have on H/R person at corporate and the dept heads are now doing the everyday H/R stuff, which leaves the company less than professional.

[lorene]

Or, if they know you know someone else got it, "I was told by x/you that I'd hear back regarding the position I applied for. I heard from z that another person got the job. It's unprofessional for x/you not to have followed up as I was promised. I understand that most employers these days don't tell prospective employees that they are no longer being considered, but I don't think your company should make a habit of promising to do so with no intention of delivering."

Don't necessarily expect to hear back, of course. But I think it's a more logical step than shelling out for a background check.

I would not do this if you are truly interested in the job. What if the person they hired doesn't work out and they're in a position to hire you as their secons choice? They probably won't if you have called them unprofessional (even if they were unprofessional).

A tactic that I might encourage is calling to find out if they have filled the position and, if they have, to ask what you might do in the future to make you a better candidate or fit for their company. That way you're not asking them point blank, "Why not me?" (which a lot of places won't answer, for fear of being accused of discrimination in some form or another) but you might get some clues along with some actual help for increasing your employability.

[An Arky]

I don't wonder about criminal stuff, but I wonder if there's some backchannel HR types use regarding candidates, via Monster or something else, where they talk about candidates' work history, interview notes, etc.

[jtgain]

Do you have a Facebook page that is public and might not be suitable for the work environment?

[Digital is the new Analog]

I almost failed my reference check at my current company, because the ****s we outsource to can't read. I needed to provide five references, two of which had managed me.
The question on the form was "Have you ever managed, directly or indirectly, this individual?"
One of them answered "Yes, managed indirectly."

The company processing the form claimed he said no. He actually BCC'ed me on the e-mail so I know exactly what he said. I had to have them call him directly to get it sorted out.

If you're fighting errors like that, you may not find anything by doing your own check. But if it's a pattern...I don't know.

-D/a

[Shagnasty]

Employers are screwy and they honestly don't give a crap who they inconvenience sometimes with false hope and empty promises. I have seen it happen from the inside as well as the outside. It could be due to anything and often nothing that you did or you can control. Sometimes somebody with a connection wanted the job, sometimes the job opening just went away and they don't feel like admitting it. That type of thing happens a lot and it isn't fair but there is no penalty for doing it. I had one job just disappear once. I got a verbal offer and a time and place to start with instructions just to call for the final details. I called and was told to hold off for a few days because the manager was away. After that, they actively avoided taking my calls in a not so subtle way for no reason at all. I just gave up after a week when it was obvious I was being played for unknown reason.

[MeanOldLady]

See if they'll send you a copy -- just say you're curious, not that you want to challenge anything.Yeah, don't they state when you're signing off on their right to conduct a background investigation that you may request a copy of their findings? I have no idea what happened to my pre-employment paperwork from previous jobs, but I believe that to be the case. Am I making this up?

[jz78817]

Am I making this up?

are you Dave Barry? if not, then no, you are not making this up.

[DrDeth]

Any little thing that doesn't check out in your resume can disqualify you. For example for me, I filling in "Zoology" under "Degree or Degree Program for my 2 year college, they hauled me in and wrote me up as I had never rcvd a AA degree (I had a Masters, so I didn't bother with a AA).

My Bro, after retiring from 20 years as a Few, was almost rejected from one contract (and likely was rejected from another) as the automated 1-800 number you call to verify someones past federal work did not show him. Wow, the Federal Gov't made a mistake, who'd a thunk it?:eek::rolleyes: Also, he put down he started with one company one year prior to his actual start as a FTE- but he had been emplyed as a contracted there for that one year and his resume actually said "Started as a contractor from xxxx". Still, that was a "lie" on his resume.

No, I am sure you KNOW all the stuff on your resume is correct. But double check it, and then check the source a prospective employer woudl check to verify it. Does your college registrar show you graduated? (Maybe you have changed names slightly or there was a transposed digit in your SSN). Do your ex-employers verify you? etc.

Or, yes, there could be another ImNotPaulAvery with your same DoB, one who was convicted of several felonies. That's pretty much what they check- DoB and name. Of course in some states (like CA) it's rather hard to check for a criminal record unless your are a police officer, etc. Your employer likely has a way to do it, you may not have the same resources.

I think CareerBuilder or Monster had a tool to check your background.

[Cunctator]

Do you have a Facebook page that is public and might not be suitable for the work environment?This is definitely a relevant question. My organisation checks Facebook for all applicants. A not insignificant proportion get culled as a result.

[Stink Fish Pot]

unless it's something in your background check that says - Murderer, armed robbery, pedophile, etc. They don't have to tell you and they are not obligated in any way to tell you. The answer can always be "We found someone else that met our needs better." Can't really argue that, can you?

And Markxxx is right about verbal offers being worth nothing. I don't know about offers on paper, especially if you have to relocate, for instance, and do to get ready to start your job. They may be able to be sued for the expense of your move, but in most right-to-work states, they aren't obligated to give you anything - they can fire you the day you start and say that the requirements of the company changed.

There is a big fear of lawsuits, which is again what HR is there for. To try to minimize people suing them, even if they have grounds. The laws really favor the companies in this area, so unless you have someone on the inside that knows the real reason you weren't hired you will get no answer that will satisfy you. I think looking at your background check is an excellent idea, especially if you have no idea why a company would back out at the last minute. There could be something on there. There could also, as someone upthread mentioned, someone's nephew graduating this summer and that job all of a sudden goes to him. Too bad for you, job seeker. You lose.

I'll share a story that happened to me a number of years ago that always pops into my head when I see a thread like this or someone relates a terrible job hunting experience. I had an ex-boss and a good friend of mine (so I thought) recommend me for a job working for him at his company. It was a good job, and I was willing to take it.

The interviews went very well. It turned out, they were searching for someone at a higher level than my "friend", and changed my interview schedule to meet with the CEO and President of the company, instead of talking to some mid-level managers. I thought this was a VERY GOOD sign. Turned out, over the few years since my friend and I had not been working together our career paths had changed a bit. I was exposed to some things that he hadn't been, and I was much more qualified for the VP level position I was now being considered for. (He was not a VP, and by the sounds of it, he was not going to be one any time soon).

Needless to say, this information got back to him and he was not happy for me. I met him after the interview day was over and we went out for drinks. He informed me that I was not brought down to interview for that position and "what the hell did I think I was doing?" I replied simply that I didn't seek this other position out (I didn't even know it existed before that day), and had no idea they were considering me for it until they changed my interview schedule. He was beside himself. Here I was, someone that he wanted to hire to work under him potentially getting a job that was above him in title and pay. I knew he was upset, but I thought to myself "if they want to hire me for the position, I'm taking it. I can't worry about his feelings, and I'm sorry his career hadn't gone the way he had hoped." The next day, I was slated for another half day of interviews.

Early the next morning, I received a phone call at the hotel telling me the interviews had been cancelled and they would be in touch. I asked why, and they wouldn't answer the question. I called my former friend, who said that he'd tell me everything that happened right after a meeting he was rushing into, but he never called back. Finally, I called one of the C-level people I met the day before and asked some direct questions. He wouldn't answer them, but he was very sympathetic to the situation and said, "what you are thinking happened is probably what happened, and I can't share anything with you on this topic for reasons that I'm sure you can figure out." I said, "Lawsuit"?, and he said "Yes." He wished me luck, apologized and hung up the phone. That was over 8 years ago, and I've never heard back from the company, my friend, or anyone about what happened.

What DID happen was obvious. My ex-boss sandbagged me. He must have burned up the phone lines after we went out after work, making sure I didn't get the job above him. He simply couldn't take the idea of a former subordinate being hired to a position above him, I guess. But he must have said some pretty slanderous things about me, because no one would talk or give me even a hint as to what was said, or any chance to defend myself. The only thing I was told was that SOMETHING was said.

That day was truly strange. I went from practically being told the job was mine and that they were going to have me back in a couple of weeks with my wife to tour the area for a few days with a realtor, to a non-person who seemed to have flung poo at the boss like a monkey. Got on the plane, went home, and that was that.

Whatever was said required no proof. There simply wasn't enough time. But the folks at the company, the HR people, the C-levels, and other decision makers probably decided that hiring me was going to be a lot more complicated than they needed it to be. They didn't want to lose my "friend", because he had a job that he was doing well enough in, and hiring someone to take his job AND the VP job at the same time didn't make sense. So, the easiest thing to do would be to drop me, keep the other guy on board, and talk to someone else in the loop for that position. That's what they did. I never sued (no grounds that I could PROVE), they hired someone else, and Mr. "Buddy" stayed in his position. All this time later and he's still there, and still not a VP. There's a reason, of course. He's not VP material. His position in life or that company had nothing to do with me. I wonder if he's ever figured that out.

My advice to you is to get your report, but don't expect too much. There are a thousand reasons why you were rejected at the last minute, and unless there is something glaring IN the background check, it's doubtful you'll ever know. The best thing to do is to try to forget about it and move on, because you will drive yourself crazy trying to pinpoint the reason.

Good luck!

[digs]

Long story short: I was told I was going to get a job pending a criminal record check, but they hired someone else.


You didn't say your name was Paul Avery, did you?

Seriously, I've had this happen, too. It's maddening. To the point where you're almost ready to break into the CEO's mansion and tie him to his Eames Chair until he tells you why... or concoct elaborate plans to befriend the guy they hired instead of you (and, in my scenario, he finally breaks down over drinks months later and tells you that he's actually the love child of his boss and George Wendt's crack dealer).

My advice? Slip a "let me know what I can do better" phrase in a "I'm still interested in working for you" email... and then take a deep breath and Let It Go...

(yeah, I should talk-- in my imagination, I'm still dressed in SWAT gear with nightvision goggles, tickling an HR guy into a confession, and that was ten years and three jobs ago...).

[MeanOldLady]

are you Dave Barry? if not, then no, you are not making this up.So I'm not entirely making thins up. Some of what I was thinking is valid, and some of it is kind of fuzzy. I was thinking about rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, which might be applicable here depending on if the employer used a report prepared by a consumer reporting agency (which is not necessarily restricted to credit reporting information).

[Yarster]

I've been on both sides of this fence, and in one case got screwed over by the same company not once but TWICE. The first time, it was when I was in business school and I wanted to work for a big defense company. I interviewed, got a verbal offer and was told the written offer was in the mail. No offer came, and follow up phone calls to the VP who was going to hire me were intercepted by the secretary who insisted she was passing them along. Then years later, while working at another defense company, I get a call from the same company (but a different division). They interview me, like me, and ask me how much I want to leave my current job. I give them a salary, and they offer me $5,000 less a few days later in a written offer. I ask for the salary to be bumped up the $5,000 as we discussed and they withdraw the offer entirely, rather than simply saying that was all they could pay (and I doubt it was). I have since refused to work for big defense contractors.

Now the flip side. I have two job openings right now I am trying to fill at my small defense company. After interviewing with me, they have to talk to my boss, who has to pass it to another company that is priming our contract, who in turn has to pass it to the Navy customer. The customer is a government person who is constantly under pressure to cut costs and consolidate positions, so he keeps changing the job requirements, and can't make a decision, because he can't find an engineer that can do everything on every system. As such, the hiring process keeps moving forward and then stalling. Now combine this with every person in the chain having other priorities, travel, etc. and it takes forever to hire someone. Some people get annoyed at this and call me asking for a progress report. I explain the process and where it is stalled. In one case, I had an engineer who was unemployed for a year. She was a perfect fit for a job and everyone in the chain approved her, including the customer. Then the customer added one more thing to the requirements list that would have made the job 5% more complicated, and my candidate flipped out and turned the job down after signing a hire letter, getting pre-planned vacations approved, and filling out benefits information. I was stunned. She said that last 5% was 'not something she could do because she had never done it before'. I said 'don't you at least want to try?', but she didn't like the idea the job changed even the slightest. Perhaps it's not PC of me to tell her, but I said "Umm, you're unemployed now and have been for a year. You can clearly do 95% of this job and the customer wants you even with this 5% added on you haven't done. So if the customer believes in you more than you believe in yourself, I don't know what to say other than you should have more confidence and we'll find someone else. Thanks for your time." I don't think that will get me sued, but that's what I told her. If she comes back and asks for the job now, I will tell her no because in my opinion that behavior is a huge red flag of a future problem employee. I wonder if she would tell her version of the story differently and claim we withdrew the job from her when she changes her mind after realizing being unemployed does, in fact, suck.

[LSLGuy]

We interviewed a late 20-something guy for a job a few years ago. He looked good enough & we did the background check. It comes back with an outstanding arrest warrant in another state.

We lost budget authority for the postiion at about the same time. No really, we did. So since we weren't going to hire the guy we called him and told him what the background check said. He was both mystified & a little defensive; gotta be a mistake, never been to that state, etc. Didn't matter to us we said, but we faxed him a copy of the report.

He called back two weeks later to thank us. Turns out back in college driving cross country he'd gotten a speeding ticket & promptly forgotten it when he got to Spring Break or whatever. But computers never forget. He got the issue cleared up & wondered how many jobs he'd missed out on.

By the time we got hiring budget again he was employed and we ended up grabbing somebody else.

So yes, you can have a surprise in your background.