[LawdHelpMe]

I recently received an offer from a big 4 firm that I’m going to accept. I know they will be running a background check, and I know they are going to find my DUI from ’09(freshman year of college), a PI from the following year, and a deferred PI from last year(in deferment because there were extenuating circumstances, basically I was trying to keep a friend from driving and doing something stupid, cops arrested us both, judge laid down the hammer on said friend, I got a ‘don’t mess up for 2 years and its off your record’).

OK, so if you’re still reading, I’ve talked with a few of my professors and boss at current job, all of whom know everything, and am wondering if theres anyone out there with any advice on how I should address this with, hopefully, my new job.

I’ve taken responsibility for my actions and have always been open an honest about them, so I’m wondering if I should attempt to address the issue when I formally accept the offer(i.e. prior to them actually running the background check) or wait until they actually do, and hope they give me the chance to explain the circumstances and the changes I’ve made in my life since.

Thanks for reading, any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[gigabyte2001]

They are going to find it so best to be upfront about it. Be careful how you explain it. Stick to the facts, take responsibility, and move on. Do not attempt to make it sound like anyone else's fault or minimize your responsibility. “I made a mistake, I paid for it, I learned from it, I'll never do it again.” Most people will overlook youthful transgressions but no one likes to be surprised or blindsided.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[LawdHelpMe]

Honestly, that's exactly how I feel about it. Do you have any advice as to how do I go about it? Contact the recruiter, partner that interviewed me, etc? If possible, I'd rather not broadcast it to the team I'd be working with on a day to day basis, but I'm at a bit of a loss on who to actually go to here.

[gigabyte2001]

At the point where they give you a written offer to sign, you've reviewed and signed it and are handing it back to them, explain to them what they will find in the background check. That likely will be a discussion with the recruiter. HR must keep these things confidential as far as the team goes and can only really discuss it with the manager. Be ready to hand them a written letter of explanation, this allows them to make the appropriate note(s), file the documents and move forward.

B - 11/11/16
A - 4/16/16 87!!
R - 2/17/17
F - 7/26/16 - Waiting for 8/23

[Anonymous]

I would like to learn more about this topic as well. If you can follow up with us later and share how you dealt with it and the employer's response, that would be great.

[T Rev]

Peter…..about those TPS reports…

[LawdHelpMe]

Update: spoke with the recruiter today. She thanked me for being proactive and professional about the situation, and told me it shouldn't be an issue although she can't make a guarantee. She made a note than I informed them prior to accepting/having the check run and congratulated me on the offer and was happy I was accepting and said she'd inform a few others in the office.

[livealittle]

good luck. That definitely sounds promising.

BEC - 8/8/16
REG - 66, 77
AUD - 81
FAR - 9/8/16

[Anonymous]

You need to get your convictions EXPUNGED from your record asap. This will make your convictions not show up on a background check, unless you have a Livescan performed. Go to the Courhouse in the County in which you were convicted and file your Expungements. Call the Couethouse first or visit their website for more information. Goodluck.

[LawdHelpMe]

Under the current state law, the pi will be eligible for expungement once the dui is expunged, which won't be until 2019. I've looked in to the process and fully intend on having them expunged once eligible.

[LawdHelpMe]

Also, much appreciated livealittle! I certainly feel better having talked to the recruiter on the front end, regardless of the end result.

[Author]

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