What is included in a background check? I’m worried because I had some personal problems in the past (because I was a stupid kid). I was fired from a job at K-Mart. One argument I had with someone else blew up when they complained to the police (non criminal, I still don’t know why they did it) and we both filled out statements, which is where it stopped. Am I doomed to permanent sucky jobdom? Will employers accept that Ive grown up since then?
It depends.
At its most basic, a background check merely reveals previous criminal convictions and a credit history.
But more extensive checks, such as for security clearances, might well reveal other events.
It’s unclear to me if “personal problems in the past” is code for “arrested and convicted.” If it is, that generally will show up on background investigations for some years after the event.
- Rick
No. I’ve never been arrested or convicted, happily, and have not given any cause for such.
This is going to sound like your third-grade teacher, but here it is: it is much more important that you tell your potential employer, in the interview, what will likely show up in a background check. If you willingly tell the interviewer that you’re not perfect, but you’ve grown up a lot since then, they will have much more respect for you and be more likely to hire.
Some companies will not hire you if you have certain drug or sex-crime violations on your record; most of these are felonies anyway.
The U.S. Government will discriminate for security clearances based on a background check but will not exclude you from the pool if you have admitted to everything on your record in the interview. That applies to security clearances, and I assume that it’s a similar policy for hiring. If, in the interview, you say “I used to smoke marijuana routinely but don’t any longer,” they are more likely to clear you, than if they ask your references and something you didn’t admit to turns up.
Of course, if you don’t admit it and it never comes up in their investigation… 
I intend to do that. I really have grown up, and it wasn’t that long ago. Its odd I guess, but it seems like I’m getting more mature every day. I also had some counseling, which really helped.
The reason is that I may apply to the foreign service, and they have background check (though its more likely to find out if I have ties to the Taliban) so I was wondering if I was screwedand them seeing the slightest black mark on my record would screw me for life. Duh duh DUUUUUUUH!