BestCase

Account Executive

20+ years ago I was convicted of making fake IDs. It just showed up on a background check during the hiring process. Do I send a note to my new boss explaining?

Did something really dumb over 20 years ago. Paid the price, served some probation and community service. But it is on my record as a felony.

Since then I've not even received a parking ticket.

After accepting a new position this was returned on a background check. I just received a copy via email and my criminal history is marked in red.

Should I email my new VP, hit this head on and share the story as well as provide character references to confirm this was an isolated incident in the past?

Or should I wait to see if they have any issues with something that happened 20+ years ago?

I'm scheduled to start Monday AM!

🧠 Advice

😳 Ethics

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

37 comments

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oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

I have hired many people over the years and very infrequently something like this shows up. I've encountered similar offenses, worse offenses and much worse offenses.

1. I hired someone with a 7 year old DUI.
2. I hired someone with a 10 year old conviction of indecent exposure. After the explanation, a freeway pee-pee stop was not a deterrent.
3. The organized crime felony, however, was a red line. (how this dude thought he could get any job...)

In my mind, your offense is older and less concerning than anything I haver personally seen. If I were looking at it from the perspective of your hiring manager, I'd be inclined to ignore it. Still, I'd appreciate getting an email over the weekend. It would make ignoring it that much easier.

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Appreciate that. Would this suffice?

"Just received a copy of my background check and wanted to hit this head on - I did something really dumb 20+ years ago when I was a freshman in college and learned a lesson. Since then I've barely had a parking ticket.

If you need to talk to my references, I have plenty that I am confident can vouch for my character, values and professionalism and confirm that this incident was isolated and a long time ago.

If you want to chat, I'm available all weekend. I don't want this to be a distraction Monday morning when we kick things off.

Best."

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Yes. Yes. Yes. This is, at least for me, all it would take for me to feel great about the hiring decision I just made. Its the high road. It’s honest. It’s credible.

Should allow you to relax a bit before starting on Monday.

SoccerandSales

Big Shot

Account Executive

I might even add a bit more detail to the top paragraph, something like "I did something really dumb 20+ years ago and made fake IDs for my friends as a freshman in college.." because I think the Fake ID is just not a deterrent at all and without clear context, it could sound worse than it is

Filth

Politicker

Live Filthy or Die Clean

Agreed better to concrete it was for fake IDs and a case of beer than making and selling American passports to Iranian Nuclear Engineers...

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

As an interesting aside, the reason this resulted in a felony is that I was charged pre-9/11 and everyone expected it would be plead down and treated as the relatively minor (and common) crime that it was. And then 9/11 happened and the government went out to prove a point by handing out some incredibly strict punishments for people making fake IDs. The hijackers all had fakes.

So I didn't sell any to the Iranian Nuclear Engineers (or Saudi pilot students) but in the eyes of the law I very well could have.

Regional Sales Director

Great email, I'm a big believer in "words matter". I would change "can vouch" to "will vouch". "Will vouch" is an active verb in the present tense. Shows that your references will vouch for you now because they want to and will do so vs. "can". Hope that helps.

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

☝️ 100% factual 😂

detectivegibbles

Politicker

Sales Director

I want to share a beer with you and hear more stories...

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Any damn time

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

20 years is a long time ago. And I'm assuming you haven't heard anything from your hiring manager or HR yet, correct? One question I have is, when they have that checkbox for "have you ever been convicted of a felony?" did you check yes, or no? If you checked no and this came up, then you will have to address the fact that you checked the wrong box.

I'm curious though, almost every company is running background checks as a matter of course, and when I moved to a new company a few years ago, my hiring was contingent upon passing a background check. We also had background checks run when a company I was with was acquired, so it's something that's been consistent in my industry. Has this not come up for you before over the past couple of decades?

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Have not heard anything yet. There was never a formal application and most hiring applications will say "in the last 7 (or 10) years. In fact, state law says in most places they can't ask for more than that.

I've passed numerous checks over the years. I volunteered in youth sports and had to pass a background check every year.... This never came up.

I also have passed during the hiring process for my previous 4 positions. It surprised me that it came up on this one.

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Wow, I can imagine that was a nasty shock. As for your question about whether to address it - as you said, most are "last 7-10 years" and 20 years ago is a long time ago. You'd think if this was a real problem either that VP or HR would be reaching out this weekend. That said, I hate loose ends, and something like this would have me eating my liver all weekend if I didn't take some action. I'd personally most likely email the VP to ask if s/he'd seen the report, and if it was an issue. Explaining the length of time and that it had never arisen before, and that (most importantly) you've been sterling ever since hopefully put this to bed. But that's what I would do, because I hate waiting. Not sure if it's the best thing to do, honestly.

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

I received an automated "here's a chance to explain this" from the 3rd party background check service. I made a short comment about how long ago it was and that I was 18 at the time, fulfilled all court obligations and have never had any additional issues. I also offered contact information for some professional and character references (including a federal judge) should they wish to do any additional research into my background.

I don't want to kick off a new position with any kind of feeling that I've hidden or obfuscated something that although serious, was a long time ago and I didn't think relevant at any point in our previous conversations.

Is going to be a long weekend waiting to see if I hear anything else about this!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

I'm glad you got the opportunity to explain the situation, and provide the references. And sounds like you didn't go out of your way to hide it, particularly if it's never come up before. So with that said, I would not bother to connect with the VP, considering you already had the chance to address it, and provided the information you should have.

edit - and of course now I see the excellent discussion between you and oldcloser so go that route.

And let us know how it goes - best of luck to you.

TheQueenofDiamonds

Politicker

Account Executive

One way or another (if not for this job), if I were you, I would invest in finding out how this record can be adjusted/ cleared)

Maximas

Tycoon

Senior Sales Executive

Just wait and see as long as it wasn't marked before by the HR during the interview process!
Also would advise to check with a lawyer for future reference to check the possibility of taking that off of your record since, it was a really long time.

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Rather ask for forgiveness than permission, if the start date is tomorrow I wouldn’t be worried about it anymore

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

Now I'm at the point of wanting an update to find out how today went, and if it was any big shakes or not.

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Didn't hear anything back from the VP over the weekend. Showed up to the office as planned and my access code worked.... Got logged into my accounts and had a full calendar which I took as positive. VP texted me a welcome message.
Later she sent an email that basically said, "Forgot to respond as this isn't an issue at all. Never needs to be mentioned again and I appreciate you hitting it head on."
Has been awesome to be face to face this morning. It's a remote position but there is an all hands this week so everyone is flying in and I had to come in to handle onboarding paperwork and orientation.
Thanks all for the advice and kind words!

Sunbunny31

Politicker

Sr Sales Executive 🐰

That is AWESOME! Thank you so much for the update. Perfect ending to this issue.

I'm so glad, and hope the position works out very well for you.

keepitsimple

Co-Founder and CEO

I think I might set up a sales recruiting program directly from jail. Get some real hustlers… Seriously tho, as long as it wasn’t a major offense, I personally don’t care. I’ve hired people with B&E’s and DUI’s. They are my top people.

CRAG112

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

You got to get a lawyer and try to make sure that sort of thing doesn't show up if at all possible.
How insane is that. 20+ years ago. I swear this country only cares about keeping people down not up.
I guess just address it and see what happens. If they think you'll be making fake ID's, remind them of your past sales stats. Everyone can use a side hustle, but c'mon!

Member

First explain this to the VP, then consult an attorney.
It is possible to get this expunged from your record so that it will no longer be a problem.

Missionary @ Mezzetti Construction

If ethics is your topic-"Have you ever been convicted of a felony"? Has been on almost every job application I've filled out. I have never been convicted of a felony but I have worked with people who have been-most places don't care.

10XQLA

Politicker

Medical Sales Assassin

So sorry this happened to you it's so ridiculous, I would reach out to the county office that your felony was filed in and make sure it is expunged immediately.... Up to you about explaining to the hiring manager, but just realize he or she might be held responsible for hiring under false pretenses. I society is so dumb!!! Good luck brother 🤜

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Unfortunately the only path I have for expungement is a pardon by the governor.

Vice President

Another point to consider having seen this before is what state you are in, and what state the company is based in, did the question come up on an application form or was it otherwise asked, how large is the company? If it was asked and not answered this could be a problem for the HR folks who could consider it a moral turpitude offense and would be grounds for termination or not onboarding you. No matter how much I wanted and liked a candidate if a policy exists or law exists it can trump a hiring manager's decision. I hope it works out.

AccountBoy911

Good Citizen

VP of BD

Hey- I work in the background screening industry. Felonies usually will always show up if your employer has anything to do with accepting federal or state dollars (life science, healthcare etc.) Your company likely has a strict policy if so. My two cents would be to get out ahead, HR will def receive a report with this information

BestCase

Valued Contributor

Account Executive

Thanks! It all worked out without issue and there is no state or federal dollars involved. It's a privately held SaaS startup.

Regional Sales Director

100% tell the VP, although, I'd suggest calling him. I would also, for next time, head it off at the beginning. When they give you an offer, tell them then and ask if it will be a problem. I would also approach it like an accusations audit (e.g. Never Split the Difference). Good luck!

Valueselling

Member

Managing Director

Hi.
This reminds me the Godfather film where one member had lost part of his territory and the Godfather was traveling to the city to meet him. He prepared to receive him at the airport
One of the gang members asked " how are you going to meet the Godfather at the airport to give him such a bad notice. shouldn't you wait for him here ".
The member answered " The Godfather always wants the bad news first"
My suggestion is not to justify, explain or excuse about what you did. Recognise it as a mistake upfront and make sure you mention in the interviews first thing. Then , it would be perceived as a honesty and humility act and all your interview will cover your first comment
If you leave til the end or appears afterwards, might be perceived as trying to hide it. Not trustable.
Probably you did not know. This has the being a learning experience, You know for the next

mtimms22

Member

BDR

honesty is the best route, I can't imagine your boss getting pissed at that, and if they do, than maybe that company is not the best fit

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

Sales Rep

Any update on what happened

pirate

Big Shot

🦜☠️ Account Executive

I would just send a message. Seems like you have been on a good path since and change to be better is hard and should be recognized

justatopproducer

Politicker

VP OF SALES -US

1000% id contact them. I’d say it’s so long ago I forgot as most background checks don’t go back that far. They may have a policy about hiring felons or not.

justadude

Fire Starter

The only sales guy

You should have mentioned it before he ran the background check. Still, call/email him and ask for a quick phone call to discuss.

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BestCase

20+ years ago I was convicted of making fake IDs. It just showed up on a background check during the hiring process. Do I send a note to my new boss explaining?

37 comments

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