I was offered a job at the VA hospital which I have to pass a federal background check. The paperwork I had to fill out was intense: employment history, address history, neighbors, friends etc. There is information I no longer have access to or I'm not sure if certain employer's contact info has changed etc. I am trying to be as honest as I can, but I don't even remember my address from 5 years ago. I mean I can google the street name but I don't know exact details. Also, I was finger printed. I am pretty sure my credit is excellent, and I don't have any criminal history minus a few speeding tickets I have received in highschool or something.

I know I might be paranoid, but has anyone else had any experience with these types of background checks? If so, can you offer any insight or information about them? Thanks :-)

9/30/2013 5:24:58 PM

Yes. I'm guessing your clearance level will be secret or below. Fill it out as best you can, dig up any old letters or emails you might have with the old address, and submit the form. They will yell at you if you need to provide more info. I know people who had somewhat iffy records involving alcohol and maybe use of drugs once in college that got their clearance and were given a job after a more detailed interview with security, so I wouldn't worry too bad about it. This is just a part of becoming a cog in the federal machine. Congratulations on the job offer, btw.

[Edited on September 30, 2013 at 5:49 PM. Reason : SF-86 4 lyfe]

[Edited on September 30, 2013 at 5:55 PM. Reason : I mean underage alcohol tickets from college, btw and caught using drugs]

9/30/2013 5:49:14 PM

I had to do the same thing. They hired me and then called my references after I had been there a couple months.

9/30/2013 6:22:25 PM

Fill out to best of your knowledge. You will get asked for further information when the time comes. As long as you're truthful and honest about it, you should be fine.

Quote :

"This is just a part of becoming a cog in the federal machine"

welcome to the machine!

Quote :

"SF-86 4 lyfe"

9/30/2013 6:48:09 PM

Quote :

" has anyone else had any experience with these types of background checks?"

Yes. Just fill out everything to the best of your knowledge. I would also recommend saving a copy of everything you found (addresses, dates, numbers) as a reference for the future.

9/30/2013 8:57:55 PM

When I was interviewed for a clearance,I told them I used to smoke weed. She asked why I quit and I said "because I ran out." She seemed to appreciate the honesty.

9/30/2013 9:06:14 PM

yeah this is standard for any federal job or contract job. if you have any charges, it's better to admit to them and explain them than lie. they don't care about most charges that kids in college tend to get anyway (underage drinking, dwi, weed possession, etc.). obviously this isn't true for top secret or something like that but the form you're filling out is standard clearance, not even secret.

addresses are pretty irrelevant, just fill it out to the best of your knowledge.

Quote :

"They hired me and then called my references after I had been there a couple months."

same happened to me.

[Edited on October 1, 2013 at 2:57 AM. Reason : not that you asked about charges specifically but fwi to anyone else]

10/1/2013 2:56:33 AM

Ok... good. I don't have anything major on any of my records. In fact, everything should look great. And I can, more than anything, appreciate a thorough background check because it makes me feel better about the people I am working with. It's just a little intimidating... Like someone I don't know watching me pee or something

I guess my main concern is them getting information from my last job. But if I can remember correctly, they can and will only disclose the dates I worked there and the fact I was laid off. And honestly, I doubt they have much of a paper trail documenting anything because I never so much as received a warning or anything.

But thanks for the support and info. :-) I'm just hoping with the Federal Government shut down, I'll have a job to go to once my background check comes back

10/1/2013 6:41:46 AM

federal jobs seem badass/intimidating (depending on how you look at it) at first with the clearance, armed security, etc. but at least in my agency it's extremely laid back - more so than at academic institutions, large non-profit humanitarian organizations, etc. that I've worked at.

None of the men wear suits, many wear jeans with untucked polos (or my personal favorite couple of coworkers that wear cargo khakis and aeropostale polos) and most work from home two days a week.

shit I just realized you said the VA in your OP so haha yeah you'll be fine.

nobody watches you pee...most of the time

10/1/2013 6:54:34 AM

Quote :

"Yes. Just fill out everything to the best of your knowledge. I would also recommend saving a copy of everything you found (addresses, dates, numbers) as a reference for the future."

Do this. You will probably be asked to fill it out again in the future.

10/1/2013 7:22:34 AM

^ yeah I think I agree with you on that. Holy crap, the amount of time I spent trying to dig it back up. Some of those things I wanted gone forever but I guess I could just lock them up until I need them again

10/1/2013 9:02:55 AM

I had to do a very extensive background check when I was considering selling home security systems. I was told to list every address I had ever lived with specific dates. I was also instructed to list every traffic violation I had ever had, complete with specific date and county. That's pretty much impossible without pulling your driving record from the DMV. I was also finger printed.

Long story short, they told me to just fill it out to the best of my knowledge. About a week later after the results came back, I had to go back and do it again with the specifics they provided. As long as you have nothing to hide, you'll be fine.

10/1/2013 11:09:31 AM

FYI, once your clearance is processed they will often times email you a PDF copy of your form for your records (or send you to a website where you can plot it to a PDF). I also got a paper copy back along with it. Prepare to see lots of wasted paper. Lots.

10/1/2013 11:30:26 AM

^^ holy crap that is intense!
^ ugh I am bracing for impact... oh well... at least its more permanent

10/1/2013 3:16:28 PM

for federal stuff you will definitely be fingerprinted

10/2/2013 11:25:17 AM

When I was getting my clearance, I checked my shipping address history on Amazon and eBay to get all of my old addresses. They keep way better records than I do.

10/2/2013 12:37:45 PM

Quote :

"And I can, more than anything, appreciate a thorough background check because it makes me feel better about the people I am working with."

It shouldn't.

10/3/2013 10:07:47 AM