Getting hired by elected official with BK in my past

[meateater]

A friend told me about a job opening at a government offce headed by an elected official. Any chance I could get hired with a ch. 7 discharged 7+ years ago? Anyone have any expereince with elected officials and how they deal with bankruptcy? I'd like to apply, but fear that this might be a deal breaker.

If I apply, should I announce the my 'issue', or wait until asked? I wouldn't want to seem to be 'hiding' something, but also would not want to weirdly be annoucing negative stuff at the beginning (and if this were not a public record, I'd prefer not to mention it at all).

[Mensa1]

No real esperience with this but likely depends on what type of position you are applying for. Comptroller, maybe a bigger problem than if it is a marketing type position.

They typically have criteria or qualification standards for those type of positions. If you meet those I would apply and state nothing other than what is asked on the application. Offer nothing beyond what is asked. 7+ yrs ago is an eternity and I would leave dead dogs be by-gones. If it comes up, address it then and be prepared of what to say in as a few of words and as matter of fact as possible. Rehearse this to T because it could make or break you, IMO.

[Flamingo]

You can bet they will do a credit and background check on you if you apply for the position. Anyone working for an elected public official is thoroughly checked out and your BK could be an issue even though you filed seven years ago - it is still on your credit reports for another three years. Also, public record information is permanent and never goes away so if an employer is looking to see if you filed bankruptcy, they can find it via a background check after that 10 year mark. I would investigate the hiring practices of the agency to which you would be applying (they should have a website) and I would be prepared to be upfront about your BK and point out the fact that it has been a long time since you filed and are in a better place now (hopefully that is correct) and see no reason by that BK would have any effect on your job performance. Rely on your past employment record and work ethics to sell yourself. If you are what they are looking for and have the skills/background they need, you have a heck of a chance at getting the position. Best of luck to you!

[meateater]

thanks for the feedback!

any thoughts on how this might tie into whether a government agency can legally decline to hire me because of the bankruptcy? I ask because I got a copy of the backgroud check form, it does not ask about bankruptcy, but asks all sorts of other things (like, whether there's anything in my background that could be embarrasing to the elected official). might they not be asking because they can't legally decline to hire me for that reason (there's nothing else in my background, other than that getting too deeply into debt due to misfortune and poor planning, I filed before any lawsuits were filed). I'm sure they can invent a reason not to hire me if the BK is a deal killer, but was wondering if that might be why the question is not on the form.

this is really bothering me, so thanks in advance for any comments.

[Mensa1]

I got a copy of the backgroud check form, it does not ask about bankruptcy, but asks all sorts of other things (like, whether there's anything in my background that could be embarrasing to the elected official).

I would say that this is where you would disclose the Bk filing. Failure to do so would be more of a potential problem for you. Look at it this way, if it is a deal killer it is a deal killer. What would be worse is get further along in the process and have discover the info if you hadn't already disclosed it, as opposed to getting it right out there up front. That is just what I would do.

You also ask about a "government agency" hiring practice. Is this a civil service position or a political appointment position? I would think the criteria would be different for the two positions.

[meateater]

thanks Mensa!

it would be a polital appointment position. I was wondering if the part of the bk code about government agency cannot deny employment on basis of bk applies to political appointments (is an appointment considered the same as 'employment' in the bk rules?)

[Mensa1]

Working as a political appointee is usually employment at will, and considerably different than any gov't-civil service requirements.

[Flamingo]

thanks Mensa!

it would be a polital appointment position. I was wondering if the part of the bk code about government agency cannot deny employment on basis of bk applies to political appointments (is an appointment considered the same as 'employment' in the bk rules?)

A BK in your background that is not disclosed could be an embarrassing factor if you are going into a political appointment position and needs to be disclosed. I would not hide a thing because if you hide something and it comes out later, you know the rest. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to disclosing BK. If this bothers you that much, you can always get a quick consultation with a Labor Law attorney before you head to any interview so you know how to handle the situation. Best of luck to you!

[nc73]

shouldn't be a problem. all you have to do is ask if they do a credit check.

[Flamingo]

shouldn't be a problem. all you have to do is ask if they do a credit check.

That is a big red flag to a prospective employer if a prospective employee asks if certain "checks" are going to be done. Most major companies, state and government agencies have websites which include an employment section which may have a employment application online - indicated in that application will be what "checks" will be run on a prospective employee and it is usually disclosed in the paragraph right before you sign. They can only run those "checks" when you submit a signed application with your SS#. If there is no application listed online to check that, an anonymous call to the agency's HR division will provide the answer.

[meateater]

My concern is more that they will run a public records check - something for which they do not need my permission (and which anyone scrutinizing an elected official can do).

Concerns about employment is what brings out my feelings about bankrupcy. If I apply and mention the bankruptcy, there's a very real possibility my contact at the agency will find out, and I do not know if that person will keep it confidential (the professional thing would be not to mention it, but I can understand an acquaitance asking me "what happened" and not realizing I never told anyone about it).

[nc73]

That is a big red flag to a prospective employer if a prospective employee asks if certain "checks" are going to be done. Most major companies, state and government agencies have websites which include an employment section which may have a employment application online - indicated in that application will be what "checks" will be run on a prospective employee and it is usually disclosed in the paragraph right before you sign. They can only run those "checks" when you submit a signed application with your SS#. If there is no application listed online to check that, an anonymous call to the agency's HR division will provide the answer.

They say they may check credit but in alot of instances, depending on position it may not get checked.