Posted: 10/31/2002 3:23:50 PM EDT
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I just recieved the Notice of Tenative Selection packet today for the Border Partol. You know, the kind that they want you to fill out all your information about yourself, pretty much a job application and enough information so they can do a Security Background Check. Here's my question, how stringent are they on hiring new guys? What I mean is I have a few little things in my record that they may frown upon, and I'm worried they may not hire me. 1. I have a terrible driving record. Not major convictions like DUI or anything, just a bunch of minor ones, like changing lanes without signaling, and speeding 0-15 over limit. 2. My credit history is shit, because I have a difficult time making any substantial amount to pay off debts. 3. I have a VERY EMBARASSING blemish on my Criminal Record. I have a petty theft, and Driving with suspended license, but both were due to misunderstandings, but they ARE on my record. How serious does the INS take these things?? Also, how much weight do the opinions of former employers hold? How "in-depth" is the background check? Why the hell do they have to go get my high school records? And do those count towards a whole bunch??? Thanks, -UHLEK- |
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The traffic record shouldn't be that big of a deal, don't know about the rest of it. The AF told me that my traffic issues (speeding) weren't going to be a problem in getting into OTS (that even if a wavier (for having too many) is needed, almost everyone who needs one gets one), but that I'd better disclose EVERY one of them so that I don't get in trouble the next time I get background checked... As for the rest, I don't have the experience to know. |
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1. I doubt the driving record will be a problem, as long as their is not a large amount of RECENT problems. 2. This could be a potential biggie. Money problems are always a major 'flag'. Money problems can be a source for potential bribery candidates, as well as drug trade issues. 3. May not be an issue...again, it depends on how long ago they occurred and the disposition of the cases. As for the weight of former employer opinions, that is used as a measure of character and can weigh heavily. By posing the question, I assume you've had problems with previous employers. If you have legitimate counters to any comments from these people then it won't be a problem. Everything counts. They are looking to see if there are trends in your behavior. These trends would indicate your suitability for the job. I'm sure they are similar to the BI (Background Investigation) done on everyone who enters the military, but not as indepth as the checks required for Top Secret & codeword security clearances. I know for my BI they did a check of all records from High School, police, FBI, then interviewed a couple previous employers. They did ask for names of friends/neighbors/coworkers, but they didn't talk with them as part of my BI. When I went for the higher clearances they interviewed everyone, and even checked with people that I didn't put on the form. They got more names from friends/neighbors/coworkers/relatives/girlfriends and talked with them. This is where they would dig up drug and alcohol usage, sexual tendencies, financial information. The important thing is not to lie on your application. If they catch the lie, you're history! I don't know if these differences have changed over time, nor do I know exactly how deep the INS will go. In these days & times, I'm sure the INS takes these things seriously, or at least I would hope that they do. |
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You probably won't fail the background check, but you might not get hired with such a terrible driving record. Law enforcement personnel are pretty much glued to their car/truck seats 8-12 hours a day. You'll do a LOT of driving, and a bad driving record is a red flag for the people doing the hiring. The Border Patrol is having some trouble getting people (mainly because most guys who know much about the institutional culture and recent history of the BP stay the Hell away from it), and is known for questionable hiring practices, so you might get hired. Again, bad driving record is a no-no for law enforcement jobs. You'll do a lot of driving, and guess who is insuring you when on duty..... |
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Can't really say much about the rest, but regarding the credit history, it's not a MAJOR issue if it's in the crapper, so long as you haven't defaulted/been delinquent on debts. I had a similar worry when I went through security clearance for work (defense contractor), and asking a bunch of the 'spooks' (not real spooks, just our liason people to DSS) they all told me that as long as you tried in good faith to pay off your debts and work with your creditors, it wouldn't be an issue. high school? Hell, a guy in my building had his 2nd grade teacher call him because she was interviewed!! |