Posted: 9/26/2008 7:52:59 PM EDT
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I just got a new job...providing I pass a drug test and federal background check. I've never used drugs and have never even been arrested, much less convicted of a crime, so I shouldn't have anything to worry about. Basically I'm just wondering what they look for in a federal background check and how it differs from a regular background check. Anyone know? |
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I know that I have personally gotten letters in the mail from the feds asking questions about people I had known. it stated it was a background investigation for employment of that person. I do not recall all the questions. But i do recall they were standard and not invasive questions. Hope that helps ST |
What is it that they're looking for? My credit should be good and I was totally upfront about my education level. Do they look for your posts on message boards and the bumper stickers on your car, or is more like a search of public records (crime, school, taxes, etc.)? |
They check to see how much pron you download. |
How do they classify one as a "shady individual"? I've never had any real-life associations with mobsters or anything, if that's what they mean. I've run into all sorts of people online and posted on some weird message boards, but nothing offline. Not much on downloading pr0n, though. 
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Then your fine. If you said your friend was big Tony the mob boss, then you'd have problems. |
Thanks. Just to clarify; I'm not all that worried about this. I mean, it's a bit disconcerting knowing that the gubmint is investigating me, but I'm mostly asking out of curiousity. |
They are looking for things like bankruptcy's or shady business deals or fraud. They will also verify your education, then probably run an FBI criminal history check which will show anything and everything you have been in trouble for. It really depends on how far they want to go. In some cases they may even send an investigator out to talk to neighbors and friends possibly former employers. Im not sure if they can, but they may even search you medical history. They might have had you sign something giving them permission to search your financial and medical history. |
Good credit FTW!  Acid Reflux FTL! 
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You have better not stolen your neighbors Herby Curby at some point in your life... Seriously, they interview your neighbors for the higher level clearances. The low level check is not much more than NCIS checks, if you can buy a gun I bet you can pass that. I'd erase this post just to be sure, it makes you look like you're trying to manipulate the background check procedure |
I'm getting a job with a company that produces dairy products. Since it's the food supply, it makes sense that they company and government would check on their prospective employees. It's nothing top secret...as far as I know. And what's a Herby Curby? |
Just so you know it's not really the gov't that does the background check. |
| What form are you filling out, SF85, SF85P or the dreaded SF86? SF 85 is basically a NICS and school/address check - SF86 is worse - cuz they ask you what you did that might not be on a record anywhere. You have to decide whether to answer truthfully or take the chance that an investigator finds out about it. |
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I don't remember what number was on the form I signed. It just asked for my full name, date of birth, SSN, current address and one previous address before here. The HR person for the company says it's a basic check. And I don't have to take a polygraph test. Like I said; this thread is more for my curiousity than any real concern. |
Sounds like no worries then - SF85P asks for addresses going back 7 years, or maybe that is SF86 - along with people that knew you then. They also ask what schools you went to, and they WILL do criminal background checks on every city/state you put down. I had to do the SF85P, and got a copy of my investigation report from OPM years later - they did a good job of checking me out. Had I to fill out the SF86, I would have been in trouble - because "I cannot tell a lie" |
There weren't any questions or requests for references. I just signed the thing that gives them permission to do the background check. |
"f Have you EVER knowingly engaged in any acts of terrorism? Neither your truthful response nor information derived from your response to this question will be used as evidence against you in any subsequent criminal proceeding." I was "John Doe #2", but that can't be used against me, right?  |
What kind of job are we looking at here? I went for a Federal DoD job, and was put through the wringer (almost) - I can't believe that the Feds would only ask for SSN, 2 addresses and such - on a Federal form - depending on the job, of course - |
Unless you had to fill out SF-86 (security clearance) all it means, is that they check with the FBI to see that you haven't been convicted of anything in another state... |
Ok, that's not what these guys are talking about.... That's just a basic commercial background check - the 'federal' part is that they check NCIC (or whatever) to see if you have been busted in some other state.... What the other guys are talking about, is the more detailed check used to grant a security clearance |
Sounds like standard criminal/credit/educational check. USDA? |
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They've been doing my federal BI for the better part of 6 months now and I've only talked to my investigator once Although everyone I listed in places I lived, worked, etc. for the last 7 years...they've pretty much contacted all of them. Still haven't heard if I've passed, or the status of the BI at this point. Like the OP I don't have anything to worry about but it is kinda annoying knowing your whole life is being put under a magnifying glass. |
I agree. I won't fill out the SF 86. |
They had me sign a medical release on my last 5 year background check, which was pretty stupid as I was retiring 3 months later. I called the HRM and wanted to know when they started that? Told me they have always done it but I never remembered filling one out in 21+ years. I filled it out and then went out on sick leave until my retirement date since I had something like 6 months of sick leave to burn off. They recently hired a guy and then found out he was on psychotropic medications when he stopped taking them and went nuts. He was still working there when I left though they wouldn't let him do his regular job (armed) until he got back on meds. I can see why they want medical records when they are hiring people on meds because they have mental issues. |
Don't worry. My SF86 took about 4 months. I knew I had nothing to worry about. You are the best judge of your life. If you know that there are things that will disqualify you and people know it, then your toast, otherwise your good to go. |
It's at a dairy processing plant. They make the stuff that restaurants use for their milkshakes and stuff. The form I signed said it was for a federal background check, though. |
Try going for a high level security clearance, then your life will really be checked out!!! |
Then it's a simple criminal database check... if you didn't have to provide A LOT of information about you and people who know you... it's really not much different than the check they run when you buy a gun. Matt |
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They may also check you emplyment out in Person I tried to join the military (Marines) and they came by the place I worked but used my first name not my middle(the one I go by) so Idid not work there! I did not get in. Joined the Navy later but told them to be sure to use correct middle name. Glad it happened that way now. |
About 25 years ago I was asked by my employer to fill out a federal background check form since my employer was a very large aerospace contractor and some of us were occasionally sent out to another atomic energy related firm to do contract work. Without having a security clearance we had to be in sight of a security guard 100% of the time and our movements were tightly restricted. The security clearance was optional and was entirely for the convenience of the atomic related firm. I looked at the form, six pages of highly detailed questions, instead of the usual one or two pages for a normal job application, and realized that there was no way I could account for every week of my life up to that point. There was no way I could supply all the start and end dates of employed and unemployed time, nor supply the required ten personal references, etc, etc, etc. I handed the form back the next day and told my employer I couldn't supply all the detailed information, with no gaps or omissions or errors, and didn't want to end up with a failed security clearance check, a permanent FBI record. I told them I was better off not being well thought of by my employer rather than being not well thought of by the FBI, or whoever. My manager was unhappy with me, and it counted against me later even though it was not a condition of my employment and my employer had no legal right to force me to obtain a security clearance. The work I did for my employer had absolutely no security related connections. I think someone in their 20's could probably account for all their time since the day they graduated from high school, but when you're in your mid to late 30's - no way, unless you are a compulsive diarist and collector of personal trivia. |