Another background check quesetion (verification, credit report, applying, average)

[amil4b]

I am in the process of having a background check completed. They told me it would take 3 to 5 business days to complete. We are on day 3 and they are waiting for one more work verification. My biggest concern was my credit was not 100% great and I didnt know if that would affect my offer. Do you think if it was they would have notified me already, or do they wait until everything is complete, then let people know there was a issue. I in order to give my current job a two weeks notice, I would need the background check to be done tomorrow.

[johnp292]

Are you sure they are even checking your credit? Many employers don’t, even though the release you sign to authorize the background check says they can.

It’s probably exactly what they told you.

If you’re really worried about it, pull copies of your credit report yourself and look at the inquiries section to see if any background check companies got a copy recently.

[Marie Joseph]

Originally Posted by amil4b

I am in the process of having a background check completed. They told me it would take 3 to 5 business days to complete. We are on day 3 and they are waiting for one more work verification. My biggest concern was my credit was not 100% great and I didnt know if that would affect my offer. Do you think if it was they would have notified me already, or do they wait until everything is complete, then let people know there was a issue. I in order to give my current job a two weeks notice, I would need the background check to be done tomorrow.

First off, it's unusual for employers to do a credit check with the background unless the position you will be working in is going to have significant fiscal responsibility. The only time I include a credit check in the background reports is when company policy requires it--for positions like Finance Manager, Controller, etc.

It's not uncommon for a background check to take several days to come back; usually it's 3-4 days for them to complete them on average for applicants I have had. Longest one was 5 days for a guy who had lived in 5 states from frequent transfers with his former job. A background check usually has a SSN verification, a county/state criminal background check that goes back 7 years, and verification of past employers/schools. The pain is verifying schools and employers because sometimes they take their time getting back to the background check service.

I wouldn't stress too much about it. If something is found in your background that the hiring company finds objectionable, they will send you an adverse action report which you can respond to.

Unless you are applying for a job with fiscal responsibility,it is doubtful they are even checking your credit.