Will a job background check reveal my entire conviction record?

Question

I've applied for a job as a mailroom supervisor at a major university. i have 3 misdemeanors,mind you my last 1 was in 1992. I'm now 42.they ask have i ever been convicted for anything other than a traffic violation.will it show on the check?

Answer 1

It depends on the type of background check that is conducted, and what state you reside in.  There are 14 states that do not allow convictions to be reported beyond a 7 year scope, as per their Fair Credit Reporting Act.  Even if the state does allow it, I doubt the screening company will go back 16 years when reporting.

Answer 2

Yes, most likely.

Answer 3

It depends how far they go back. I work at a company that does background checks. They can go as far back as 20 years. BUT they normally dont go past 7-10. As long as you have no felonys you should be fine. You can call the company that is working on your background check and asked them how far they are looking into your records  

Answer 4

Good Luck getting the position, and a word of advise. It's best to tell them the whole story about your trouble past. They might not check all of it till you start working, and it's going to look dumb on your part if they find something you forgot to mention in the interview. Employers now, can check everything we done in our past, and have the power to dig deeper for information if they choose too. Your 42 and a grown man, be smart and just tell them the truth. I hate to see you see living in your parents basement.

Answer 5

It will depend on a couple of things.  How far back they intend to check and what state/city you are in and what resource they are using to check.

In regards to time:  If the company is hiring it out to a 3rd party, they will usually request either a 5 or 7 year search.  Occasionally, some places will choose a 10 year search, and even more rarely a company wants everything that is found.  However, the 3rd party will charge more money for a more detailed search - so the likely hood that the University go that route is slim.  Also, different states have different rules.  For instance in CA  - specific drug charges can't be reported for employment purposes after a couple of years (2 or 3, can't remember).

What state/city is being searched?  People tend to think that all criminal records are on a single uniform database.  Not true (at least for public record).  There are cities out there that still keep their records in cardboard boxes.  There are some that have been computerized for 20 years.  There are some that have been computerized for 5 years.  Depending on the accessablility of the records will help determine whether or you'll get caught.  Also, there are state searches (usually less accurate) and individual city searches (more costly but usually more accurate but covers less area).

Then finally, what resorces are they using?  An FBI search will hit every arrest record regardless of outcome - further investigation will be required to determine if it's a conviction or not.  And again - using the state police will bring possibly different results than the county police.  Where your arrests local?  On vacation?  Across county lines?  

There is no way someone could tell you for sure whether you'll get reported without a lot more information.  You're best bet is to be honest.  Many places will overlook "discrepencies" from youth and such.

Answer 6

It really depends on how far back they check.  If they only go as far as 10 years back then no it probably won't show up but I don't know how far back a university will check.

Answer 7

Most companies are looking for felonies not misdemeanors. I am in agreement with some of the posters, genreally speaking it may not even come up. I would suggest disclosing it. Should not affect your options.

Answer 8

Yes, unless you have received a pardon they will all show up.