If an employer will do a background check, should you tell them ahead time about a DUI?

Question

So basically, if this is really good job your applying for is it best to let them know ahead time of what's on your record, or just let them do the background check, then explain yourself.

Answer 1

yes be honest about everything

Answer 2

It really depends on the situation.

For example, a temporary agency may be willing to lie for you if they think you're right for the job. Say you type 95 WPM, you ace all of the software tests, and you speak three languages. That agency is going to be so sure that you'll wow your employer, they'll overlook an arrest or shoddy job history. It's much easier to just let them lie for you than to directly ask them.

I don't have the statistics on hand right now, but one I can give you is that 10% of all resumes claiming a college degree are fraudulant. There is an enormous amount of resume fraud. I think it was something like one in four people lie on their resumes. Many get through because employers don't check thoroughly, but many more get through because the employer does check and just doesn't care. It's like letting a white lie go--it just isn't worth making a fuss over.

You should also do a background check on yourself. You may find that there is no official record of your DUI. If there's no record, there's no offense. Only admit to what can be proven (if you admit anything at all).

If you're worried about the employer finding out later and firing you, don't be. You're going to be a star employee. Why would they fire their top producer over a technicality? Any company that makes decisions based on such misplaced morality is not a good company to work at. Business is not altruism--companies do not benefit by employing people who "deserve" the job.

If this is the only job in the world for you, or you're incompetent, then you may want to be as honest as possible. Plead for the mercy of the court and so forth. I think you'll find that in most cases, though, it is not the only job in the world, and most people are incompetent, so you'll be much better off if you lie.

If it's a high security job, like at a bank or casino, that's an exception. If you are going to rob the place, though, you might as well give it a shot with a fake resume.

Answer 3

I think it's a good thing you asked this question. At least it shows you're not like some who would just as soon stick their head in the sand and "hope" somehow it will just work itself out or maybe they'll be lucky and no one will find out.
You'd better tell them yourself. Whether or not you think they'll do a backround check or not. It could be someone knows you and might tell them, or maybe they remember your name in the paper. You never know. You may not get the chance to explain yourself later, which by the way better include things like", I was headed down the wrong road then, but I've changed a lot and seen the error of my ways". And it BETTER be convincing. Everyone's heard from people with drinking problems that they're sorry and won't do it again.No one really wants to hear that. What your potential employer will be more interested in is what have you done since then. Have you entered into a recovery program or do you deny you have or had a problem?
I mean truthfully, every 5 year old knows its a crime to get behind the wheel after drinking, so are you going to try to pass it off as just a foolish mistake or accept that what you did was no minor faux pax and you understand that you could have caused serious harm to OTHER people. Good Luck to you. I hope you get the job. Truthfulness is always the best policy. I hope for my sake and the sake of my children and grandchildren, it's the last DUI you ever get....(We drive on the road too)

Answer 4

Yes tell them. DUI's should only affect employemnt if you are either driving a company car, truck driver, or are driving for the job i.e. sales (Although most won't even count it if you are using your own car) If you will be in an office all day then there is no reason a DUI should be a danger to your employer, or effect your employment. Now if you lie and they find out then they might not hire you for being dishonest. I would tell them

Answer 5

Well for one thing if it is a great paying job, then yea I would come out and tell them about it. Just explain it simple, dont go into details. Just say I was coming home from your buddies b-day party and got pulled over. Dont say well I had a bunch of chics in my car they were all over the place. I was speeding and passed a cop, they pulled me over I spent the night in jail....etc.. Just be simple. Now unless you want them to go ahead and do the background check and find out for themselves what you have done. They will decided if a DUI is worth keeping you from the job. Heck I have met a lot of business people who go out and drink all the time and some do have a history.

Answer 6

Always tell first. If they have to look into your background and find out about a questionable act, odds are they'll question hiring you. I was with my aunt who was running a business and she was trying to decide which applicant to hire, and there was a really nice guy she was thinking of hiring.. but then she found out he had committed a misdomener(sp?) without telling her or adding it to the application and therefore she decided not to hire him because he wasn't up-front and truthful about it.

So yes. Tell first and explain yourself while it's out in the open.

Answer 7

Always be honest about things like that to start with. If a prospective employer has to do a background check for you to be honest about that, then they won't trust you to be an honest employee either.

Answer 8

Advance information will do no good. Let them do their investigation and wait for the results. Hope that they will not consider DUI as a grievous offense.

Answer 9

i have always found honesty and forthrightness to be the best courses to take. if you don't get the job, at least you will have been honest, but if you conceal or obfusticate requested information, there are always consequences. if i hired you, and then found out you lied, or omitted, you would be gone immediately, if not sooner. i place no importance on any particular job

Answer 10

let them find it,if they can,most employers,like mine, are only looking for violent crimes on your record,or a history of bieng a sex offender.But then agian, im just a forklift driver in a factory,it really depends on were you are and what the job is you want.Obviously, if your going for a bus driver job,or a truck driver,they might look at that.

Answer 11

No because DUI's don't count. They don't tell employers about whether you steal or are dishonest. They want to know about crimes of that nature.