Background Check?

[Marrienne 112]

Hey VJers,

Last Friday I was interviewed and offered a job at a grocery store. They photocopied my Green Card and SS card and I was told they will run a background check and then I can start work.
No biggie, I don't even have a parking ticket to my name. It is almost a week and I haven't heard back.
Should I worry? Should I call?
Does it take longer for immigrants?
My husband works for the same store and he heard back within 3 days! (he is American though)

Any info is helpful!
Thank you!!

[afortunada 182]

Background checks take a while, and YES, they do take longer if you're from or have lived in a foreign country. I know because my background check for my current job took a lot longer because I had been living in Mexico with my husband.

Also, I remember reading your other thread about struggling to find work and know you had mentioned this as a possibility - I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS on your job offer! I know it isn't the dream job you were looking for, but I'm so happy you're getting a start That's wonderful.

[gregcrs2 1,778]

As you said, it's almost a week. Give it a little more time and then call if you haven't heard from them.

Edited September 15, 2016 by gregcrs2

[Marrienne 112]

Thanks guys!!
I know it is not my "dream job" but it is a PAYCHECK and I am happy to do it!!!!
My kids deserve it!

I am only asking because they said 3 days and it has been a week It is reassuring to know it takes longer if you were in another country

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

You can (and maybe should) call and check up on it. Maybe they just forgot to do it.

But, another thing. Sometimes background checks can involve "credit checks" where they use your credit score to make sure you are 1) a real person 2) not some weird lowlife who is bankrupt. Of course, a lot of this makes no sense, but try to convince an HR person to do something other than rote protocol! Just another reason to work on getting a credit score.

[Marrienne 112]

Lol can't do that until I have income coming in I am trying!!

[AR and BA 5]

I have been into background checks three times for the last year and all took more than two weeks. They checked my previous jobs, school, and criminal record in my home country.

[Marrienne 112]

Just read what a background check might include and wow!!! How is this level of scrutiny legal? I understand parts of it, yes it makes sense but even digging into your Facebook?

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Just read what a background check might include and wow!!! How is this level of scrutiny legal? I understand parts of it, yes it makes sense but even digging into your Facebook?

Facebook is public. If you don't want it that way, make it private. I don't think a grocery store has that much time to troll on your facebook though

[Marrienne 112]

Lol personally I have nothing to hide. They can look all they want. They might even enjoy pics of the kids and cat!! Lol

I was just amazed at all the info they could potentially require to gather about someone

[p-ana 933]

I just got a job at a big retail chain and my background check was cleared in less than 2 days. Hopefully yours won't take longer. Best of luck on the new job, even if it's not what you wanted, it's a way to start. Everything will only look up now!

[TBoneTX 45,229]

An idea, which others here might or might not consider feasible, is to supply the store a copy of your police certificate from your home country, with certified translation. Even if the information itself isn't what they want, it shows initiative and good faith on your part.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

Just read what a background check might include and wow!!! How is this level of scrutiny legal? I understand parts of it, yes it makes sense but even digging into your Facebook?

your public profile is just that public, companies scour what you post to judge character, by posting you have given implied permission to view

[Ortolan 381]

Don't worry; sometimes a background check can take a couple of weeks, if you have no previous employment history (which you don't here, of course). If you've not heard from them by mid-week, next week, just give them a call to check, maybe ask if there's any other information they need.

[Amadia 711]

Hey Marrienne,

I must say that it seems things are definitely working out for you

Regarding work, the background checks are done for everyone. It takes 10-15 days for International background checks to be completed for us - meaning those of us who are very new to the US and have NO type of previous work/education/credit history based in the USA. These checks are often undertaken by a 3rd party company and not the hiring company themselves so the grocery store may have to wait until they get feedback from the background check company before they successfully hire you to begin working and acquiring a salary.

I am currently undergoing background checks for a job as well....they sent my forms days apart....first I got my Education history form....2 days later I got my Criminal history form....then the following Monday I got my Employment history form....so it takes some time.

Just bear with them and know that you have nothing to worry about....just have a bit of patience. When you begin working you will feel so empowered to actually be doing something rather than watching 4 walls all day

By the way, how long did it take before you got your green cards in the mail?