So i'm in a quandary.....

plthijinx · 11-13-2011, 12:32 PM

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.

Lola Bunny · 11-13-2011, 12:40 PM

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.

No, seriously, I'd take his advice. With background check, they'll know everything.

Pico and ME · 11-13-2011, 12:54 PM

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.

limey · 11-13-2011, 01:19 PM

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.

Clodfobble · 11-13-2011, 01:19 PM

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.

plthijinx · 11-13-2011, 01:29 PM

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)

limey · 11-13-2011, 01:48 PM

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

).

footfootfoot · 11-13-2011, 01:55 PM

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.

limey · 11-13-2011, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot

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.

Pico and ME · 11-13-2011, 02:07 PM

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.

BigV · 11-14-2011, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pico and ME

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.

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!

Gravdigr · 11-14-2011, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

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.

Sundae · 11-13-2011, 02:47 PM

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)

footfootfoot · 11-13-2011, 03:04 PM

It's November, so clams are OK.

Sundae · 11-13-2011, 03:17 PM

Bearded ones?

11-13-2011, 12:32 PM	#1
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	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. __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

11-13-2011, 12:54 PM	#3
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	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. __________________ Jesse LaGreca in 2012 “Seven Deadly Sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Science without humanity, Knowledge without character, Politics without principle, Commerce without morality, Worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi

11-13-2011, 01:19 PM	#4
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	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. __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

11-13-2011, 01:19 PM	#5
Clodfobble UNDER CONDITIONAL MITIGATION Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 20,012	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. __________________ My book My other book My spirit animal

11-13-2011, 01:29 PM	#6
plthijinx Master Dwellar Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 4,197	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) __________________ For your dreams to come true, you must first have a dream.

11-13-2011, 12:40 PM	#2
Lola Bunny Junior Master Dwellar Join Date: May 2011 Posts: 2,728	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. No, seriously, I'd take his advice. With background check, they'll know everything.

11-13-2011, 01:48 PM	#7
limey Encroaching on your decrees Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: An island within the south-west coast of Scotland Posts: 7,016	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 ). __________________ Living it up on the edge ... of civilisation, within the southwest coast of

11-13-2011, 01:55 PM	#8
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	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. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

11-13-2011, 02:07 PM	#10
Pico and ME Are you knock-kneed? Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Middle Hoosierland Posts: 3,549	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. __________________ Jesse LaGreca in 2012 “Seven Deadly Sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Science without humanity, Knowledge without character, Politics without principle, Commerce without morality, Worship without sacrifice.” – Mahatma Gandhi

11-13-2011, 02:47 PM	#13
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	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) __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

11-13-2011, 03:04 PM	#14
footfootfoot To shreds, you say? Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: in the house and on the street-how many, many feet we meet! Posts: 18,449	It's November, so clams are OK. __________________ The internet is a hateful stew of vomit you can never take completely seriously. - Her Fobs

11-13-2011, 03:17 PM	#15
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Bearded ones? __________________ Life's hard you know, so strike a pose on a Cadillac

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