BACKGROUND Investigators

Question

Are there any BACKGROUND Investigators out there. Do you have to be absolutely perfect to get a Government job our a State job in the area of Corrections...??? How long should you wait if you have a couple of questionable marks in your work history.

Answer 1

No you surely don't need to be "absolutely perfect" to obtain such jobs.  If you've had previous employments where you're unsure if those employers would recommend you favorably then you need to furnish that information and the reason therefor to the individual who will conduct your background investigation so when those employers are contacted the investigator will be aware of a possible problem.  Individuals other than your boss/supervisor at those employments could also then be contacted to provide a fair evaluation of you during those periods.

Answer 2

You do not have to be perfect.  Nobody is.  Just be able to explain anything on your application.  What shuts people down are omissions and lies.  We will find out and when we do it will look bad on you if you did not already tell us.

Big marks against you are bankruptcy, DWI, drug usage, or criminal arrests.  But even these have explanations.

Answer 3

Nobody is perfect, and background investigators know that.

What they look for are people who admit responsibility for their mistakes, and have done something to show they have changed their habits.

I have seen people with a lot of mistakes get hired. Many have gone to college, or been honorably discharged from the military after the mistakes happened.

Answer 4

Questionable marks like you were late a few times, or questionable marks like you snorted coke off the cashier's counter top and stole a whole bunch of bottles of water and boxes of baking soda so you could make crack with the hot-plate in the backroom?