Apple background check for job at retail store.

[jthesned]

Hi Everybody,

Being an Apple user and loving their products, I recently decided on a career change and applied for a specialist position at one of the UK stores. I received an email today telling me I am being considered for a role at one of the stores and that I will be contacted again shortly with details of a recruitment event.

Brilliant, apart from after reading some forums I discovered that Apple do a background check on successful applicants. Although I have nothing to hide, I have recently gone bankrupt and was once fined by a court for shoplifting in about 1995 when I was young and stupid. I’m sure this would now be classed as a spent conviction. However, would the bankruptcy be held against me if I were to be accepted for the position and what else would a background check involve?

I’m really worried that mistakes I made many years ago might affect the chances I have of being hired even if I were to pass the interviews. Any of your views are welcome!

 

[Pasbolsas]

I have the same situation, but went already thru the interviews process, I had the phone interview and two person to person interviews. This all happened within three weeks. Three days after the second interview I received and email with instructions on authorizing the background check, which I did. This will be three weeks ago this Friday and I have not heard anything. I have a clean record, but filled for bankruptcy recently. I called last week and left a message but the contact person have not returned my call yet. I don't know if I should email or wait. Any thoughts?

 

[QuarterSwede]

I have the same situation, but went already thru the interviews process, I had the phone interview and two person to person interviews. This all happened within three weeks. Three days after the second interview I received and email with instructions on authorizing the background check, which I did. This will be three weeks ago this Friday and I have not heard anything. I have a clean record, but filled for bankruptcy recently. I called last week and left a message but the contact person have not returned my call yet. I don't know if I should email or wait. Any thoughts?

Background check lengths vary and it depends on how busy the checkers are. In retail it's generally 2 weeks to a month. How long did they say it would be? If you didn't think to ask then call and ask now. Being inquisitive doesn't hurt you. As long as you aren't overly curious (calling once a week and pestering them) it's seen as a good thing.

OP, I'm afraid I really don't know.

 

[gkarris]

Most jobs in the US (and Apple especially) require a clean criminal record and an excellent credit rating.

Sorry folks - welcome to The Global Economy...

 

[Pasbolsas]

Most jobs in the US (and Apple especially) require a clean criminal record and an excellent credit rating.

Sorry folks - welcome to The Global Economy...

I guess I'm not getting the job
I just think they should notify you of their decision

 

[Psychomacuser]

I guess I'm not getting the job
I just think they should notify you of their decision

Thats corporations for you.. they don't care

 

[Pasbolsas]

I guess I'm not getting the job
I just think they should notify you of their decision

Well, I did get an offer and I accepted the job. I'm sure there are many things the look at.

 

[aristobrat]

Most jobs in the US (and Apple especially) require a clean criminal record and an excellent credit rating.

From my experience working at Apple Retail, "excellent credit rating" is not a requirement.

I worked with a few really awesome folks that would be lucky to have credit scores in the low 600s!

 

[StvenH90]

I don't think Bankruptcy will matter to much in retail jobs. The only time I had my financial records pulled in background check. Is for a Security Clearance at Airports (To get in restricted areas, such as hangers in Class D Airspace.

 

[jtara]

I once worked at a major U.S. golfing equipment maker - and one that's particularly security conscious (in an industry that is very security conscious) , and my cubicle happened to be right outside of the office of the personnel director. As such, we often had casual conversations, and sometimes we asked about each others jobs.

We discussed employee background checks, and his take (and I gather that of most of corporate America) is that nobody is perfect, and they don't require a clean record. What they do require is honesty. If something comes up on your record, and you fail to disclose it, that's a negative.

At least in the U.S., the way this usually works is that the company provides a security firm with their requirements. The security firm reports back whether the candidate met the requirements or not. The security firm doesn't share the details with the company. (And so, the company passes along the candidates list of disclosures for match.)

You wouldn't have to disclose anything that has been "expunged". In the U.S. in some cases (and depending on state law) criminal records can be "expunged". It's as if nothing ever happened. In this case, you can legally say "no" when asked "have you ever..."

As an example, if you are arrested for drinking and driving, but not subsequently convicted, your arrest record can (upon request and approval of a judge) be expunged. If you are asked "have you ever been arrested for DUI?" you can legally answer "no".

Other than than, disclosure is prudent.

 

[Michael383]

Well, I did get an offer and I accepted the job. I'm sure there are many things the look at.

Congratulations! I wish you well in your new job.

 

[gkarris]

Well, I did get an offer and I accepted the job. I'm sure there are many things the look at.

That's awesome...

I did hear there is a push in Congress to make it illegal for Employers to use a Credit History in determining employment (except for the Financial Industry).

Hopefully, Apple is being pro-active in this!

Nice!

 

[aldebaran422]

Background check lengths vary and it depends on how busy the checkers are. In retail it's generally 2 weeks to a month. How long did they say it would be? If you didn't think to ask then call and ask now. Being inquisitive doesn't hurt you. As long as you aren't overly curious (calling once a week and pestering them) it's seen as a good thing.

OP, I'm afraid I really don't know.

I submitted for a background check last Friday and just received a call today from the hiring manager informing me that the background check was taking longer than they anticipated. My training starts tomorrow and they have to pull me out and put me in the next one. I just moved from AZ to california and he thinks that could be what's delaying it. Either way he did mention that its about 86% complete and expects it to be completed by tomorrow. Can coming off a move really delay a background check?

 

[QuarterSwede]

I submitted for a background check last Friday and just received a call today from the hiring manager informing me that the background check was taking longer than they anticipated. My training starts tomorrow and they have to pull me out and put me in the next one. I just moved from AZ to california and he thinks that could be what's delaying it. Either way he did mention that its about 86% complete and expects it to be completed by tomorrow. Can coming off a move really delay a background check?

Possibly, yes. Moves screw up research work for those doing the background check.