So i'm in a quandary.....
 

ok. you guys know how hard i've been trying to get back into engineering. it finally has happened. i got hired on with a firm near the job i have now getting a very nice salary, neighborhood of 75. here's the problem: my background. after i put in my two week notice at the panel shop my recruiter calls me and says that i need to come in for drug testing (no problem there) and.......background check. i'm considering something zippyt suggested last night during our extensive phone conversation. he suggested that i go by the firm and talk with my lead engineer and tell him my history. it's a private firm, not a corporation, so that's a plus. they like my attitude and appearance another plus. i can give them references to my current jobshop employer (i'm on contract at the panel shop) who i've known for 20 years and knows my background history as well as my work ethic and i can also give them the track as a reference. after all, i am a manager there and responsible for my crew, running the business and trusted with the monies. SO. do i go in and tell them or keep my mouth shut and hope the new job shop doesn't run my background?? i'm leaning towards going into the office and sitting down with Dan, the electrical engineer lead and having a chat with him.

I'd trust Zippy's advice. But then again, I've never asked him for advice so I don't know if he gives good advice or not. :p: No, seriously, I'd take his advice. With background check, they'll know everything.

I don't know, but I think the best bet would be to be honest, and going in there to tell them your history before they do a check is proactive and gives you the best chance.

Yup. It sounds like you have lots of positive referees to put forward and I think going in to speak to someone is a good approach. Be relaxed, try not to be anxious, give them the "I'm a good guy" vibe which I certainly get from all your posts here. Good luck.

In my experience, everyone who says they're going to run a background check actually runs one. Go in and talk to him before he finds out another way.

i am. but jeez. i'm so nervous and getting more anxious by the minute. go buy stock in charmine! i can't stay out of the restroom! (tmi i know but that's how nervous i am)

Oh phlthy! Just imagine that all teh Cellar gurrlz are giving you a back rub! That should relax you (though on seconds thoughts maybe not! Perhaps you don't want to take a stiffy into that meeting :lol:).

Absolutely be the one to present the story.

It is vitally important for you to control the customer's experience. You need to create the story.

To make yourself less nervous think of it as an "elevator speech" a quick 30 second here's my story.

It's important that you don't sound bitter, blaming, or guilty. Just matter of fact, like a speeding ticket. Own it 100% You picked a shitty lawyer, you had (we all hope) shitty choice in women, you should have stayed in bed that day.
It's not like you have a long rap sheet and you keep failing the whiz quiz.

But practice your elevator speech and write it out and look it over for words that don't make it seem like you are ok with it.

This. All of this.

plthijinx, you problem right now is that you want this way too much. Treat it as a practice run. You do need to practice dealing with this type of situation, you know, in order for you to be at ease with it. I don't think this is the only job offer you are ever going to have.

Wow, Pico.
Different slant.
Not wrong, just came from outside my own realm of thought.

I say tell them.
But as Pico says, be calm (not clam as I originally typed)

It's November, so clams are OK.

Bearded ones?

If you intend to be working there for a long time, you definitely need to tell them. Even if there is no background check now, the policy could change or a client could demand it as a condition of work. While the issue may or may not cause them to not hire you, finding out that you lied to them will definitely be cause for firing.

The only good jobs that do not require a background check these days seem to be Congressman and POTUS.

guys your support is noted and appreciated. keep it coming. rich, i thought about that too. my passport has to be renewed and i may end up going to nigeria for a project. travel to different country? have to see if i can get in. "wait what do you mean you can't go?" "welllll i kinda had a run in with the wrong woman that made me an unpaid state employee for a bit." "hmm. well now...." shit. just shit. i should be alright but damn y'all.

While the issue may or may not cause them to not hire you, finding out that you lied to them will definitely be cause for firing.


Pretty much what i said , betterer for them to Know than be surprised,

Good luck

It'll suck big time if it keeps you from getting hired, but ya gotta tell 'em. I've been there.

At the very least, you'll feel good about being honest and up front with them.

I'm with the majority here. If you're there long term it'll come out one way or another sooner or later. You form friendships with collegues and they meet some of your old friends at some party or something or on a fishing trip maybe and someone says something and there goes the whole kit and kaboodle. Better off not having to remind your old friends never to mention it and better for you not to carry the stress of not telling around with you all the time either. It'll only effect your performance in the end.

Besides, who wouldn't love you warts and all plth? ;)

Especially. June and July aren't so friendly to them.

Tell them the story just like you've told some of us. Be factual and avoid the bitterness - that does you no good. Good Luck!

What everyone else said. Especially Zippy, since he works in the engineering industry.

Provided you can show it was a one-off incident, domestic related, and not to do with dishonesty, it probably won't put them off too much. If it does, might as well have it come out now.

Oh and GOOD LUCK. 70 grand? C'mon, land that baby!

Good luck Pthy!

You talkin to me?

It sounds like you are.

Your analysis sounds fair, and your advice is fairly sound, but it's practically impossible to follow. At least in my experience it has been very difficult to follow.

plt, she's on target and if you can do what she's talking about your stress levels will definitely be reduced. Good luck.

As for my read on your situation, I agree with those who have urged you to be proactive and be the one that introduces this information. Certainly there's a clean/smooth/appropriate way to introduce it into the conversation, like NOT making it the first thing you talk about... I dunno about how to intro it. But it is the truth about you, including relevant facts that will definitely contribute to your relationship with them that WON'T be in some background check. You need to sell yourself to them, including these unfavorable facts, but also include the rest of the context.

I know you'll succeed. Especially if you practice. Like actual speaking out loud talking to another person practice. I'm not kidding.

Go get'em tiger!

That's rock solid advice right there, I don't care who ya are. Have your roommate interview you, or just tell him your story like he doesn't know what went on.

"out loud talking to another person practice", that's the ticket. It'll get you more comfortable w/the situation.

well here's an update. i called Dan today, the primary engineer i will be working for, and left a message. come to find out he went hunting this weekend and wasn't in the office. my recruiter called me around 5:15 tonight asking if it was ok to give George, the other person i interviewed with, my cell phone number to get the ball rolling with IT. no problem. call me. i was on my way home when he called and he asked me how i wanted my email address to be done since he knows that my first name is one thing but i go by fred. i said fred. (rhymes i know, poet and didn't know it). then i asked him if Dan was out of town and he said yes but would be back tomorrow. that's when i opened the bomb bay doors. i told George that i had something that i need to talk to them about but i wanted Dan there as well and could we meet tomorrow morning. he said sure no problem. asked me if i wanted to get into it then to which i said no, i'd rather wait and have Dan there too. it's kinda big but not really but is. make sense? lol, anyway i told him that i have references to back up what i'm going to tell them. so. 10:30ish tomorrow the bomb will drop.

Good luck man, for what its worth I think you're doing the right thing.

Video tape it and we will offer useful commentary.

Good luck filthy, I know you're going to be agonizing over it, but try not to. Practice, of course, but you're going to be fine.

i don't need to practice. i've told the story so many times i can do it in my sleep. be honest. tell my side. offer video proof that this chick is crazy. offer proof of references. this is exactly why i hung onto said video if y'all remember. i just might pull that card.

Good job so far. Don't wait. Get it set & get it done.
Good Luck.

phlthy - I'd probably just stick to offering references, and downplay the "chick is crazy and video proof thereof" thang (though I'm in the UK and maybe these things seem different in the US?). Those are the sort of things which begin to imply bitterness, and you want to keep away from that, I think. Just play it straight, factual: domestic issue, court, court ruled, consequences, all in the past now. Mwah!

YIPPEEEEEE HORTHEFUCKRRAYYYYYYYYY!!! they want me there!!!!! I stil start on the 28th!!!

BOOOOOYAAAAAAA WHO'S YO DADDYYYYYYYYYY!
(sorry! me excited!!!)

Yay for plthy!!

:jig:

Good to hear, man!

Outstanding!

Obviously the discussion went well, but what did they say?

Oh phlthy, what brilliant news!! Fabuloso! Mahvellous dwalink! Wonderful!!!!!!! Mwah!

That was quite a hurdle to overcome! Congratulations!

basically they were grateful that I took the initiative. I told them id rather them hear it from me than someone/place else. I even offered up more referrences. they said that they didn't need them that my previous referrences were good enogh. "glowing" was the term they used I believe.

and thank you all for your help and support! I truly appreciate it!

And don't forget to put 10% in the tip mug.

Dude... it's so great that this stupid sidebar to your life isn't holding you back. Makes one optimistic for the future!

it sure does. gawd its been long over due. talk about paying your dues!

lmao look at ol' HLJ over there pimpin' da mug!

Major congrats Philthy.
You can't keep a good man down.

(But if he's really good, he'll go down of his own accord)

Dude - I was SO happy for you when I got that text today telling me the news.
I'm really pumped. Hopin I'm next on the get re-employed list!

Do you have time to treat yourself to a vacation before you start back to work, philthy?

:)

Good news!!!!!
and i bet its a load off yer head that they were happy with you comeing forward with this

Hooray! I'm so glad to hear it, Fred. Knock their socks off.

why? you offerin'? lol!

na, I'm going to jump right in. I am thinking about vegas sometime early in the new year though!

its a huge relief! today has been a great day as well as surreal. drove past the home I grew up in now I'm sitting in a labcorp office for my drug screening. this office is located in my dad's old office bldg. loooots of memories growing up here.

:blush:

No, just meant a mini-getaway to celebrate.

Yeah, you can go to Vegas with a bunch of cash, and make more cash. Or not! Fun, either way.

Memories, or flash backs?

lol! both actually. like this one time? I was playing hide n seek and hid in a doctors locker. I guess I was about 5 or so. anyway I couldn't get the door to unlatch and freaked out! I was in there for what seemed like an eternity (or 33 monthsin prison). finally a doctor was passing by the dressing room and heard me through the door. funny as hell now but 36 years ago not so much.

Awesome news plth. :) I'm stoked for you. Here's to a bright new future!

:jig:

Bloody bewdy mate!

Where's that fireworks smiley?

thanks again all!!

Late to the party as usual sorry about that! :redface: Congrats Philthy! The relief must be grand :)

Great news, plt! I knew you would get one of those fancified enjunirin jobs. :)

Awesome News Fred!
Way to go!

Way cool. Good luck.

thanks again all and before i sign off on this super moist day i'd like to share what song has been going through my head allllll day!!