Background check

[boston78]

Will an unpaid parking ticket that I recieved at a college have any effect on my pre-employment background check?? I recieved it in another state from where ive been hired. Just wondering because thats all they would find on my history, and I hope that wouldnt stop them from hiring me. I honestly forgot to pay the ticket because I was moving a week later, and it was at a college. Thanks for any input on this!

[CaptBob]

Will an unpaid parking ticket that I recieved at a college have any effect on my pre-employment background check?? I recieved it in another state from where ive been hired. Just wondering because thats all they would find on my history, and I hope that wouldnt stop them from hiring me. I honestly forgot to pay the ticket because I was moving a week later, and it was at a college. Thanks for any input on this!

Congrats on your success.

Often when canidates head in to the unchartered waters of background, medical and the other hiring steps they start creating sea monsters. I can't imagine how this would have even ended up on your department of Justice FBI file and it would keep you from getting hired.

Get some sleep.

Here's a recent one:

Sea Monsters

I often hear from candidates when they go into the final stages of the
hiring process, background, psych, medical and poly. These are
unchartered waters. During the last steps many candidates start
creating sea monsters in their heads. Here’s an example:

Sea monsters are getting me. I talked to you about 2 months ago w/
regard to the psych/background. I had failed a psych 10 yrs ago w/
police dept., etc. I ordered your book on the psych! I got word last
week I passed my psych and background!!! I went in yesterday for my
medical. Sea monsters are getting me! It is so close I can taste it.
I have off and on back pain, nothing serious, nothing that keeps me from
lifting weights everyday, playing basketball, doing anything I need to
do. I had the full muscular-skeletal exam yesterday - lift 150lbs from
ground, lift 110 lbs above my head; raise my chest off floor as many
times as I can in 60 secs; raise my legs off the ground (while lying on
chest) as many times as I can in 60 secs; and then a flexibility exam -
raise legs straight up; etc, etc. then I went for a back x-ray. First,
the helper came in and took 3 standard x-rays of my back. I waited a
few minutes and then the radiologist himself came back in and said we
needed to take a 4th x-ray w/my back in a new position. All of a
sudden, I start freaking out. Are they seeing something w/my spine??!!!!
After the 4th x-ray, the radiologist only says, "ok, you can go." If
I’ve been relatively successful at everything else, CPAT, exercises w/
occupational therapist, I’m in good cardio shape, no current back pain.
Can they axe me b/c of something they see in the xray??? Who makes a
final call?? I heard all the info was sent to the fire department and
they decide whether they want to hire you. Is this true? Or is it a
medical doctor rendering an opinion based upon everything presented??
Thanks for your input. I’m so close, but so worried!!! Crossing my
fingers...JS

CB Reply: Sounds pretty normal to me. You could have not passed the
exam if you had trouble. The extra x-ray might have been taken because
one of the first ones did not develop well enough. Keep me informed.

JS: "I could have not passed the exam if I had trouble,” do you mean, it
sounds like I had trouble, or I would have noticed if I had trouble on
the exam???

CB: No, no, no. If there were a problem with your back you wouldn't
have passed the exam silly!

JS: My wife agrees w/ you!! I’m a worrier! That’s my problem!!
Anyways, it's more like back stiffness as opposed to pain. When you say
"I could have not passed the exam if I had trouble,” do you mean, it
sounds like I had trouble, or I would have noticed if I had trouble on
the exam??? But I just didn't want them to see something bone wise
that I don't know about and get the axe. I did in the high 40's and
50's on the back extensions (raising chest off mat) and raising legs off
mat (lying on chest)... all in a 60 sec. time limit. The lady commented
on my lifting of the 150 lbs and 110 lbs that my mechanics
were superior. The radiologist just seemed weird when he came back for
the 4th x-ray. Anyways, I’ll just sit tight. Thanks.

CB Reply: I understand. Don't worry until it's time to worry. It's
not time to worry yet. Knock it off before you self-destruct.

JS: The last and only thing I will say is I don't know if I passed the
muscular-skeletal test. I was asking how my results were and they kept
saying that they only collected the data and did not interpret it! They
collect the info and send it downstairs. (I presume to the doctor's
office).

CB: Please. Go have a glass of wine or something.

JS: Anyways, I’m trying to relax.

CB: I'm having a hard time believing you. Keep me informed.

Then finally from JS: Sorry for the delay. I finally got the word last
week... Job offer!!!!! Start the academy Sept. 6th. You were right
every step of the way. Thanks again for all the advice and support. JS

At this point candidates usually tell me all their worries evaporate
like the morning due on corn field in Kansas.

This warmed my heart:

Capt. Bob, Just a quick note to say thanks for the information on
expungement on your website. I've been searching for weeks to get a
handle on this. Your writing and explanations were superb.

As a younger single man, (14 yrs ago) I made some poor decisions on a
weekend ski trip/bachelor party. Unfortunately I got a DUI, fortunately
no damage or no injury to anyone.

I'm not a fire fighter, (but the thought has crossed my mind.) I'm a
simple businessman just trying to survive corporate battles. I got to
tell you the support that you provide to these guys actually pulled my
strings.

I have no doubt these guys cherish you, the sense of pride is awesome.

Thanks Again, WA

CB: Just happy to be of service.

[boston78]

Thanks CaptBob,
I went through the medical easily. I'm just waiting on the background now. Ive never been arrested, been fired, or in any kind of trouble. Its just the last hurdle, and I am anxious to get the word "tentative" removed from my start date.

[BCLepore]

I wouldn’t expect an unpaid parking ticket to stand between you and getting a job, especially since there are so many candidates with SERIOUS background issues.
My question is this:
If you knew you had it in your background, WHY is it still unpaid?

Correct your wrong!

The less loose ends you have in your profile, the better. Good luck in your endeavors!

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief
Author of:
Smoke Your Firefighter Interview
The Aspiring Firefighter’s Two-year Plan
Smoke Your Firefighter Written Exam (Coming soon)
www.Aspiringfirefighters.com

[boston78]

My question is this:
If you knew you had it in your background, WHY is it still unpaid?

Correct your wrong!




I recieved the ticket while I was in the process of moving. Kind of like CaptBob said, the job is so close and the background check os the only thing standing in the way. Now ive been dreaming up things that could disqaulify me, and I just happened to remember the ticket. I plan on paying it now.
Its just nerves I guess.

[BCLepore]

For you and everyone else who reads this forum. YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR YOUR ACTIONS during a background investigation.

Just for the record, you did not "forget" this unpaid parking ticket. If you did, you would not have suddenly "remembered" it during your background examination. You simply chose to ignore it.

We have all made mistakes in our lives. I am by no means an exception. Heck, I have probably made more than my fair share.

Where background investigators get suspicious is when people are not accountable for their actions or try to justify them. People have way more resect for someone who says, "I made a mistake and it will never happen again," versus one who doesn't own up to his or her actions.

For anyone reading this forum pleae take note:

Make ammends NOW. It looks very transparent and shows a pattern if you suddenly pay all of your tickets, register for the draft or do whatever you should have done years ago to clean up your wrongdoings during a background investigation.

Clean up any misgivings NOW!

Paul Lepore
Battalion Chief