Page 1 of 1
Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:20 pm
by Anonymous User
I apologize if this is a repost (I don't remember if I asked this recently), but a firm that I got an OCI callback from is asking for conflicts and background checks. Is this standard? I thought they didn't waste the effort on this unless they are going to make you an offer.
Edit: fix typo
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:53 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I apologize if this is a repost (I don't remember if I asked this recently), but a firm that I got an OCI callback from is asking for conflicts and background checks. Is this standard? I thought they didn't waste the effort on this unless they are going to make you an offer.
Edit: fix typo
I had a background check and conflicts before the callback. It costs them virtually nothing to run them. I wouldn't read into it. They probably intend to make an offer to anyone who does a callback unless that person screws it up.
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 5:56 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:I apologize if this is a repost (I don't remember if I asked this recently), but a firm that I got an OCI callback from is asking for conflicts and background checks. Is this standard? I thought they didn't waste the effort on this unless they are going to make you an offer.
Edit: fix typo
I had this requested before a CB. I just figured it was standard.
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 8:10 pm
by BVest
Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:I apologize if this is a repost (I don't remember if I asked this recently), but a firm that I got an OCI callback from is asking for conflicts and background checks. Is this standard? I thought they didn't waste the effort on this unless they are going to make you an offer.
Edit: fix typo
I had a background check and conflicts before the callback.
It costs them virtually nothing to run them. I wouldn't read into it. They probably intend to make an offer to anyone who does a callback unless that person screws it up.
This. I've had them before (some but not all) callbacks. Also have had them performed in the past on tenants. Generally $40-50 will get you criminal, credit, and eviction, or in the case of employers, criminal, credit, and SSN verification. When you consider that they're spending a minimum of 5 attorney hours (blended between partners and associates) on your call back, the $50 is a drop in the bucket.
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:03 pm
by Anonymous User
My offer letter is conditional on passing a background check. It'll be interesting to see how they do it, since I'm an international student.
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 9:42 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:My offer letter is conditional on passing a background check. It'll be interesting to see how they do it, since I'm an international student.
I had a similar offer (but not an international student) and am wondering how much they would be able to find. I have a couple arrests from high school that won't look great, but have been told repeatedly they shouldn't be a problem. I plan on telling whatever firm I accept before they run the check anyways. Anybody have any insight into this?
I looked into the old threads, but they only seem to talk about convictions - mine were continued without a finding - dismissed. Also, anyone know if midlaw firms do background checks less often? My midlaw offers don't mention anything about it. I know they will still likely do one later, but I'm just wondering.
Re: Background checks common?
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2013 10:06 pm
by Anonymous User
Anonymous User wrote:Anonymous User wrote:My offer letter is conditional on passing a background check. It'll be interesting to see how they do it, since I'm an international student.
I had a similar offer (but not an international student) and am wondering how much they would be able to find. I have a couple arrests from high school that won't look great, but have been told repeatedly they shouldn't be a problem. I plan on telling whatever firm I accept before they run the check anyways. Anybody have any insight into this?
I looked into the old threads, but they only seem to talk about convictions - mine were continued without a finding - dismissed. Also, anyone know if midlaw firms do background checks less often? My midlaw offers don't mention anything about it. I know they will still likely do one later, but I'm just wondering.
Not sure (I imagine it depends on jurisdiction and firm and such), but I would recommend making sure you pass the background check of your top choice before declining others (assuming, of course, that you can find out if you pass the check before accepting).