Application question

[bedrock]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

The job I'm applying for will do a credit check, driving record check and criminal background check. FYI I have 2 convictions for CDS over 15 years ago.
Now the application says the background check will go back 7 years, yet the application also asks if you've EVER had a felony conviction. My question is how to handle that ? Do I answer no to being convicted assuming the background check won't find it because its older than the 7 year search ? This sucks.

 

[Zigner]

What is the name of your state? New Jersey

The job I'm applying for will do a credit check, driving record check and criminal background check. FYI I have 2 convictions for CDS over 15 years ago.
Now the application says the background check will go back 7 years, yet the application also asks if you've EVER had a felony conviction. My question is how to handle that ? Do I answer no to being convicted assuming the background check won't find it because its older than the 7 year search ? This sucks.

You should tell the truth

 

[mlane58]

As Zinger stated, answer it truthfully as not all background checks are created equal, meaning that just because it says it only goes back 7 years doesn't mean it won't pick the previous convictions up in the check.

 

[Gadfly]

Some things stay on your record forever so even if you did them 20 years ago they will still show up on a 7-year background check.

 

[Blaine McDonald]

You should always tell the truth on an employment application. Go ahead and attach a letter explaining any circumstances you feel need to be addressed. A felony conviction won't necessarily bar you from consideration.

 

[bedrock]

thanks

Thanks for replies, at least no one said I would be drawn and quartered and never get a job anywhere ever again.

 

[bedrock]

Which background check ?

I heard that quite a few large corporations use Choicepoint to do their background checks and that most other background check companies will return the same results as Choicepoint. I would like to run a check on myself before submiting my application to see where I stand. Does anyone have any insight on this ?