Expert: Jack Toomey - 9/27/2006

Question

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Hi,
I would like to ask a followup question. It's obvious I messed up but will this follow me throughout my life if I apply for other jobs for example with the post office, the military, or the sanitation department, etc.. when they do a background check on me?
Followup To

Question -
Hi,
I was wondering if you can help me with a question. Can you tell how a person's background investigation works? I have applied to several different agencies for example, Correction's Officer and Detention Officer and was turned down for both because I failed a lie detector test; (I wasn't truthful about experimenting with pot years ago, I was afraid to admit it)but admitted it after further questioning and the psychological exam I took for the department of corrections determined my answers were innacurate so the doctor didn't recommend me to be hired. I don't have any arrests or convictions in my past at all (except for some bad credit and in 2003 my driver's permit was suspended because I had trouble paying a traffic ticket) but I have my license now. I would like a career in law enforcement but don't know if this situation will keep me from getting hired to any jobs. Could you tell me what law enforcement employers look for when doing a background check?? Thank you for your time.

Answer -
  Since you asked I will be honest with you.  Law enforcement agencies look for a pattern of dishonesty, a bad credit history, drug use, an unstable life style, and other things that are predictors that the person would not be a good candidate for law enforcement since there are so many highly qualified applicants.

Answer
Alfonso,

    I didn't mean to imply that your future is ruined but if you apply for a job that can be afford to be exclusive in its hiring as law enforcement and they ask you the same questions as the police department did then you would have to answer truthfully because if you don't it will come back to haunt you.  I don't know a thing about the post office or the military but I can tell you about law enforcment.