Background Check at Interview Standard? Forum

[PennJD83]

I recently interviewed at a V50 firm this past Wednesday, and was asked to fill out a background check form after my last interview of the day. I am just wondering if it's normal for everyone to fill out a background check form the day of the interview or if it is usually a sign that the firm is really interested in the candidate? Also, what is the normal/standard turn around time to hear back from an employer for lateral candidates? I was hoping to hear something by this past Friday. Should I just move on if I don't hear anything by Wednesday? Thanks for the insight!

[Chrstgtr]

I recently interviewed at a V50 firm this past Wednesday, and was asked to fill out a background check form after my last interview of the day. I am just wondering if it's normal for everyone to fill out a background check form the day of the interview or if it is usually a sign that the firm is really interested in the candidate? Also, what is the normal/standard turn around time to hear back from an employer for lateral candidates? I was hoping to hear something by this past Friday. Should I just move on if I don't hear anything by Wednesday? Thanks for the insight!

Don't know about law firms specifically, but other industries will often have you fill out background check info and then only do a background check if they are actually interested since it costs them money to do so.

[gaddockteeg]

I always thought it only happened after you accepted an offer. I had to do one too but htye never went through with anything until after I accepted.

[broke.lawstudent405]

What market was the office in?

[Anonymous User]

The firm is in the LA area. My old employer just contacted me to inform me that a background check company called to verify my employment. This has to be a good sign, right?

[Anonymous User]

bump

[Anonymous User]

OP here: I still haven't received an offer yet, but the firm's recruiter just emailed me asking me to fill out a conflicts form. Should I read in to this, since I know a background check was also conducted? Or is this just standard?

[Anonymous User]

I am currently looking to lateral as well. Does anyone know whether firms, as part of the background check process, will contact anyone else besides prior employers and references? Do they call your schools to confirm GPA/rank/good standing? If it's likely, I would like to give these people/offices a heads about a potential incoming call.

[JenDarby]

One V50 firm made me fill out the background check paperwork before my CB interview. Different places have different arbitrary HR procedures.

edit: geez just realized this was a bump of an old thread asking some new questions. sorry, can't help with your lateral question

[Anonymous User]

I've had to go through a background check at every job I have ever had. Sometimes agreed to it during the interview, sometimes after acceptance. A lot of the time, accepting the job offer is contingent upon passing a background check.

If there's nothing on your record, it ends up just being a formality.

[jdmonkey]

I had to fill out a background check during a first round interview. Based on the scheduling, I think they interviewed close to 100 people that day. They had me put the form in a unsealed envelope with my signature on the back. I think those cost about $50 a pop, so they only submit they are really considering.

[Anonymous User]

I've had to go through a background check at every job I have ever had. Sometimes agreed to it during the interview, sometimes after acceptance. A lot of the time, accepting the job offer is contingent upon passing a background check.

If there's nothing on your record, it ends up just being a formality.

Yeah compared to the bar background check this is a piece of cake. Only criminal convictions pop up. On the bar they get into juvenile issues, any violation of law even if NG or plead to non-criminal. So like that time you were riding public transit without your school ID, and the transit cop gave you a ticket, and you went to court with your student ID and the deputy verified it and the judge threw out the case cause you didn't cheat the fare...that comes back up The worst part is when you are asked to explain and you so badly want to rip the transit cop, because you offered to let him keep your passport and driver's license while you ran the two blocks home to get your student ID to show that you didn't beat the fare. End rant!

[Anonymous User]

I've had to go through a background check at every job I have ever had. Sometimes agreed to it during the interview, sometimes after acceptance. A lot of the time, accepting the job offer is contingent upon passing a background check.

If there's nothing on your record, it ends up just being a formality.

Yeah compared to the bar background check this is a piece of cake. Only criminal convictions pop up. On the bar they get into juvenile issues, any violation of law even if NG or plead to non-criminal. So like that time you were riding public transit without your school ID, and the transit cop gave you a ticket, and you went to court with your student ID and the deputy verified it and the judge threw out the case cause you didn't cheat the fare...that comes back up The worst part is when you are asked to explain and you so badly want to rip the transit cop, because you offered to let him keep your passport and driver's license while you ran the two blocks home to get your student ID to show that you didn't beat the fare. End rant!

But this isn't something that ever happened to you, right?