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I'm in the process of filling out the NCBE Character and Fitness application, and in the employment section, they require contact information for all previous supervisors.

How do I handle letting them (the previous supervisors, some of whom I haven't seen in years and might not remember me) know that someone from the NCBE may be contacting them? Specifically, I am worried about it seeming like I just decided to list them as a reference without asking them and that that would seem rude. I normally would ask before I gave someone's contact information, but here it seems I am not really asking--if they said no I would be screwed because the information is actually required. Or is it not the faux pas I think it is to give your supervisor's information without asking if they'd be willing to be a reference?

Any advice? (Other than the obvious that I need to stop stressing out.)

I didn't even bother telling people because unless they see something they don't like, they almost certainly won't even call. And if they do call, then you've probably got other problems.

kalvano wrote:I didn't even bother telling people because unless they see something they don't like, they almost certainly won't even call.

You really think the NCBE people normally don't verify employment through references/supervisors unless a red flag exists? Interesting, I always assumed they were super thorough with the investigation, but maybe not.

I don't think the bar contacted anyone I listed on my application. I have a stupidly clean record, and different states can be more/less strict about this kind of thing, but that was my experience. (No one told me that the bar has contacted them, even though they did tell me they were contacted for my federal background check.)

I just listed all supervisors. Most of them probably left their positions by now, and even if they didn't, I just put them down anyway. I doubt any of them were ever actually called.

Yobot wrote:

kalvano wrote:I didn't even bother telling people because unless they see something they don't like, they almost certainly won't even call.

You really think the NCBE people normally don't verify employment through references/supervisors unless a red flag exists? Interesting, I always assumed they were super thorough with the investigation, but maybe not.

For as many applications as they receive? What would be the point of doing so?

I'm pretty sure Illinois contacts everyone. It's just a little form they email. But if they don't get a response you have to call and make them.