<p>I was wondering if anybody knows of some companies that do not perform criminal background checks?</p>
<p>I'm a good student at a good (top ten) engineering school, I was even able to get an internship with a well known fortune 500 company because at the time of the internship my record had not been added to state or national databases. Thus, even though I answered yes to the question, the company must have figured that the offense was too minor to be of concern. However, now my record has been added to the databases and has become a major problem. The record consists of numerous felonies which occured around the same time about five years ago. The chances of anybody taking a chance on me once they've seen the actual record are extremely slim, borderline non-existent. This is why I'm looking for companies that do not perform background checks. </p>
<p>First of all regardless of where you work, you’ll need to disclose the felonies if asked. And it’s best to get your spin on the situation first, and let them see the record later.</p>
<p>As far as who is less likely to ask, try small local companies. Those companies are also more accepting if you can explain away the situation. Large companies that hire from many schools will often just dismiss you if it’s something very bad (stealing from an employer, especially).</p>
<p>I don’t mind answering the question truthfully, and explaining the situation and circumstances in my own words. I usually make a good impression on people and in the past when I’ve done this my actions since then have spoken loud enough to convince most people that it was out of character. However, in doing this I obviously slant the story to my point of view and leave out words that ring an alarm bell. </p>
<p>After signing an offer this past fall for another internship, and once again telling them about the situation in the same manner I did the last time, a background check was performed as expected - but this time, through indirect means, it was brought to my attention that my record has now been added to the databases… I pulled them to look for myself, and it was a sobering experience. Although I haven’t been formally told that my offer has been revoked, there is no doubt in my mind that it will be. Not only this, but for the first time I realized that I this is going to be a major issue. I’m looking into what I can do about the record, but it will likely be a number of years before much can be done.</p>
<p>So I’m left with either answering the question in my own words with no legal paperwork, or finding an employer that doesn’t ask (I know there aren’t many). The answer in the long run is starting my own business, investing, etc… But in the short term I have large school loans to pay off, and no capital to work with.</p>
<p>Oh really, you think people should avoid behavior that might get them in trouble…
Thanks, I’ll keep that in mind lol</p>
<p>To the OP: I don’t have any information as to companies that don’t to background checks (as far as I know, they all do). Good luck though. I’m sure if you can prove your character isn’t what your record states, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Have you considered speaking to an attorney about this? An hour or so of sound advice might be worth the money. My guess would be someone that specializes in labor and employment issues.</p>
<p>I don’t want to be so exact as to say that all major companies perform background checks, but at this point, it very well may be all. The issue is liability: if someone assaulted someone at work 2 years ago, you hire them, then they assault someone in your workplace, you can be held liable for lack of due diligence. </p>
<p>Regardless, employers see hits on criminal background checks fairly frequently. If it’s something not really related to work (a single DUI, bouncing checks, etc) it’s not that bad. If it’s a violent crime, you’re in trouble. It’s sort of like the position of someone without a visa to work in the US: you have to make yourself valuable enough that the company will overlook the hurdle.</p>
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<p>True, but unless you have a time machine so that the OP can rectify his behavior in the past, not very helpful.</p>
<p>Proton brings up a very good options. Joining the military is one of those life-altering experiences that you can use to show employers that you’ve turned your life around and you’re done with your previous tomfooleries. I don’t know too much about the corporate world in regards to engineering, but I do know a few people who have had bad records and done this (though they didn’t work in sophisticated professions like software, business or engineering). It is something to consider.</p>
<p>Thanks for all the advice. I guess another question I would ask that would be of use is if anybody can recall the application that they filled out at various employers. The laws vary state by state, and every company has a different policy: </p>
<p>Some ask: “Have you ever been convicted of a felony?”
Others ask: “Have you been convicted of a felony within the last seven years?”</p>
<p>If anybody knows of companies who ask the latter, that would help a great deal. I could go to grad school for two years and graduate around the seven year mark. I personally have seen two well known companies who ask this on their application, if anybody knows some other ones I would appreciate it.</p>
<p>haha… the only negative about the suggestion i gave above is that this country is at war right now and they might send you to afghanistan and there is a possibility you could get your brains blown away.</p>
<p>Back to the OP - I’m not really sure what you’re looking for. People that don’t have felonies don’t really pay attention to that question on the job application. You see it, check no, then forget all about it. Are you asking if people remember the question that was asked so that you could apply to their company if it was asked in a certain way? If so you might be out of luck.</p>
<p>Really, the best thing to do is apply to every company you can, be honest, and see who hires you. If no one does, then go back to school (though colleges also ask about felonies).</p>
<p>It’s on the Common App for undergraduates. The Disciplinary History Questions:</p>
<ol>
<li> Have you ever been found responsible for a disciplinary violation at any educational institution you have attended from 9th grade (or the international equivalent) forward, whether related to academic misconduct or behavioral misconduct, that resulted in your probation, suspension, removal, dismissal, or expulsion from the institution? </li>
</ol>
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<br>
<ol>
<li> Have you ever been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime? </li>
</ol>
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<br>
<p>If you answered yes to either or both questions, please attach a separate sheet of paper that gives the approximate date of each incident, explains the circumstances, and reflects on what you learned from the experience.</p>
<p>How far back do they access your GPA? Basically forever. It’s standard to verify your degrees (at least in the last 10 years it has been, and virtually everyone does it now, especially for professional positions). Companies verify degrees by asking for a transcript from every school you’ve attended. That transcript will have a GPA.</p>
<p>That said, it probably won’t impact you. Usually background checks are done after you’re hired. You’ll get an offer, which is conditional on passing a background check, and then when you clear the background check you can start. If you fail the background check, you do not start. So if no one asked your GPA before the background check, it shouldn’t impact your hiring decision. </p>
<p>Usually after you’ve been out of school 3-5 years, very, very few people will ask your GPA before hiring you. After about 10 years, it’s essentially no one that will ask (though I’m sure there’s someone out there).</p>
<p>So if you’re worried about a low GPA hurting your career, it won’t after about 3-5 years of work experience.</p>