Question Job offer - should I say something or stay quiet?

[kartoons19]

I was verbally offered a great job and now I have a dilemma. I received the paperwork and of course the first thing I looked for was if they would do a credit check. There is a verification form that says they can check my personal background, educational history including criminal records, motor vehicle records and of course credit history. This is not a job in finance, mortgage or any position where I deal with money. It is not a driving job, so why they check DMV is anyone's guess.

On the written job offer, it says the position is contingent upon satisfactory verification of employment history, references, criminal check and right to work in the U.S. A credit check is NOT listed as one of the contingencies.

My boss is one the west coast and HR on the east coast, so I can't talk to either one face-to-face. Do I call them and tell them about my bk? If so, who do I call? If the written offer stipulated the need to pass a credit check, I think I would call, but since it doesn't say that, maybe I should offer up the information.

At this point, I'm just not sure how to approach this. The ironic thing I had applied four months ago, then put the job on hold. Had they offered me the job at the time, this wouldn't have been an issue, because my credit was still in decent shape. Oh well. Any suggestions you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

[ccsjoe]

I would call actually, as much as I hate to say it toons. They're gonna find out either way when they run a public records check on you. Best to hear it from you up front prior to. Then you can have the chance to explain that if it hadn't been put on hold for four months you wouldn't have had an issue?

[kartoons19]

Thanks for your response Joe. I actually had to correct my post. Passing a credit check is not listed as one of the contingencies for getting the job. So would you call the boss or HR?

[ccsjoe]

Who do you have the best rapport with? I would say boss. He makes the hiring decision, so if HR objects or flags the bk, he can overrule, correct?

Granted credit check is not listed as a contingency, but it's built in as one unfortunately.

ADDITION: Besides it doesn't matter, when they do a public records search (think criminal history) your BK will come up as public record. They pull public to check criminal, anything in public gets shown.

[kartoons19]

I thought when they did a criminal check it was a separate record system from a credit record, so one wouldn't lead to the other. It's frustating because for over 25 years I had stellar credit history. Now in the last few months everything went to hell and that could wipe out the past 25 years. The way I work hasn't changed, I still do an excellent job, but I guess that doesn't matter as much anymore. Oh well, I'm done venting. Hopefully it will all work out and it won't be an issue.

I should say this is a part-time consulting position, so maybe it won't be a big deal, but I guess I'll find out when I call on Monday. Thanks.

[ccsjoe]

[QUOTE=kartoons19;450529]I thought when they did a criminal check it was a separate record system from a credit record/QUOTE]

Yes, it is a separate data pool than credit check. It checks public records. Your bk will come up independently of credit because it is a public record.

Good luck on Monday

[meateater]

I had a similar dilemma: I was highly recommended for an open position at a company. I survived several screening interviews. I was told they wanted someone to start in six weeks. I told my contact that I had had "financial issues" and could answer any questions the background screeners had. The next call was the secretary of the president of the company to set up an interview (which is usually a formality, you don't get into the president's office unless your'e going to be hired). I told secretary I wanted to speak to the background person about an issue. The secretary said that the background check was done with no issues. I was relieved.

I went to interview with president, a person I knew slightly. President had a folder that had my resume and other papers. I realized it looked like a public records report. Interview ended cordially. As I was walked out by presidents assistant (not secretary, the second in command who had been present for the interview), mentioned benefits. I promptly sent a thank you note. After a week of waiting, I sent second-in-command an email asking if I was still under consideration as I needed to make travel plans. The emailed response was that I should go ahead and make my plans. I never again heard from anyone in this company.

I concluded that the president was not aware of my bankruptcy and first learned about it during the interview. I worried that I was seen as dishonest for not volunteering my BK (the irony being that the background info. form had no questions about BK (probably for legal reasons), and I alluded to the issue twice and not been advised of any issues, I was 5+ years post-discharge). The bankruptcy was probably the dealbreaker, but possibly had I said something specific in advance it would have been okay. A credit report was never pulled (at least according to my credit report), they did a regualr public records check.

I'm not sure what to do next time. If I were in your sitation, I would probably call HR and specifically ask whether they wanted additional information about BK as part of background check (its public record, and they can go onto pacer and get anything you might volunteer). This would give you a chance to explain. What you don't want is to have the boss making plans on the assumption that you'll pass the background check, then finding out the BK is a dealbreaker, then having the boss need to explain to others in the company that you weren't hired (or, suddently being dropped like a hot potatoe and never knowing for sure what the issue was). HR will know the law, and if this is a big company, boss may never find out. It might be more problematic to tell boss, as he would then likely need to check with HR, and it might create an awkward situation. HR will get the info. to boss if he needs to know.

Good luck (please post whatever you do, I'll be in the same dilemma again soon).

[redhunter]

Fortunately, my new employer explicitly indicated in writing that the background check would not consider credit history. Although I don't handle money, I'm in a upper management position.

I wouldn't raise the issue unless you were under obligation to disclose it, which would be unusual.

[catleg]

I would not say anything. Loose lips sink ships. I think far more places threaten to check credit than actually do so. If they're going to blackball you for bad credit they probably won't even admit it. I'd guess it's the rare employer who is going to change their decision to hire you based on your "honesty" about a bankruptcy. Either it's a deal breaker or it's not. If they don't specifically ask I wouldn't volunteer it, especially since most people still don't understand what it really means.

I think a more productive approach would be to put a credit freeze on all your major credit reports. That way if they want to see it they *have* to ask you to give then permission, at which time you can decide to come clean.

[Logan]

When making your decision just assume that they will find out. Honesty is usually the best policy in these situations. On the other hand, you are not a criminal and did they ever ask?

Logan

[Logan]

I think a more productive approach would be to put a credit freeze on all your major credit reports. That way if they want to see it they *have* to ask you to give then permission, at which time you can decide to come clean.

It's a public record so a background check will show the BK.

[kartoons19]

Thank you all for your responses. I decided to call HR, I just felt more comfortable calling them than my boss. Giving that it is such a large company, I don't think my boss will find out, which is just fine with me! I also figured that HR would know best if a bk or bad credit is going to affect my hiring.

I told them I didn't know if they checked credit and just wanted to be honest. I said that up until 4 months ago I had stellar credit, but like so many others (I made sure to emphasize that part), I lost my job and tried to maintain the best I could. She was very nice and said don't worry about it, a lot of poeple are in your situation. They are more concerned about a criminal history, educational and work history. I didn't mentioned the bk, but it didn't seem like I even needed to go there. So while they will still probably find out about the bk, it doesn't seem to be a big deal. I'll post an update later in the week, once I know the results of my background check. Thanks again.

[tobee43]

that's great news and i'm certain a relief for you. you absolutely did the right thing by calling!

[JoePlumber]

Seriously, you were worried about something you can't change, if they need your skills that's what they want from you, they won't be loaning you any income you didn't earn, do your best and focus on that Interview and get the Job, that's my advice... Focus on the Goal not the obstacle. If they see your drive to become a great employee they may over look what is a simple BK, if they even care or know about it.

Focus, and tell the truth if asked about it and your OK.

[Dee]

I filed for BK 8 years ago and got 2 government jobs (one less than a year after filing) and a job with a major corporation. I even got DoD security clearance. The only time I was ever even asked about the BK was when I was going through the security clearance. Even then, the only things I was asked was if this was the correct date of discharge and what was the majority of debt (cc's).

If you have good references and work experience, those are what will count most the vast majority of the time.