I have a bad background should I conceal it?

Question

I have a terrible private background which is something that I doubt any background investigator might uncover. I have tried weed three times, coke twice, and meth once. I also have shoplifted but it is something that is next to impossible to uncover. Should I just keep my mouth shut? If you want to see everything in my background go to my profile and under my last question. Its all there. Oh yeah and I used to work under table which means I was paid cash for 2 jobs. Is it necessary to list those jobs? Actually those are my best references but do I have to include them and will I get any trouble for not reporting my winnings to the IRS?

I also have good references from 5 high ranking ex and present cops.

There is no way this conversation can go further than this pc. I am a honest person and I don't want to lie but I don't want to throw away a career either. Please don't judge me too harshly for I have done good things too. Don't think I am just some bad *** action bum with a diploma who just wants to be a cop.

and yes i do feel a bit guilty.....

I took those jobs because I had to. I had no choice other than to starve. I was getting paid below federal minimum wage 200 bucks a week. NOW YOU UNDERSTAND WHY I SHOPLIFTED!?

And I was paying rent I was living with my girlfriend at that time. I do want to be honest but I am honestly scared **** less of the background. I am not a bad person and I know I will be a good cop if given the opportunity, but that opportunity might never come....

Hey Kenneth C is it necessary to declare the under the table jobs as well?????

Answer 1

If you tell them all that, its over for sure. Most people have things in their past, keep it on the QT

Answer 2

Man.... that doesn't sound bad at all... I would tell you this from experience,because I've been a cop for 9 years now. They might be able to find out, but you'll be surprised what will come up later during your career. They don't expect cops to be angels. I'm a good cop because of by colorful background. You might have to take a polygraph and I'm sure if you aren't truthful its going to come out.. that is the only reason they give you a polygraph just to see if you would tell the truth... IT will not disqualify you.. Just so long as you haven't been doing it lately or while you are in the hiring process. good luck

Answer 3

Unless the bad things you've done in your past are on paper, I would definitely conceal the information. You don't have to spill everything. Everyone has done bad things in their lives. If they are on paper, I would highly recommend that you DO tell. Employers do a thorough background check nowadays. My husband got fired from a good job three months after he was hired at a state facility. They found out about him being in prison, which he did not tell them, therefore, they said that he had lied on his application by withholding pertinent information.
I would go ahead and use your best references no matter if they paid you under the table or not, because, references aren't allowed to tell anything but whether you worked for them and if you were a good employee.
You won't get in trouble by the IRS for not reporting your under the table employers, unless the employer gets audited and tells them how he had paid his employees. If either you or your employers don't offer up the information, how is the IRS going to know?

You may feel that not paying taxes on the money you were paid is immoral and wrong, but the government is a joke anymore. We are supposed to live by our governments rules and pay taxes, but they have gone way over board and have been for long many years.

Answer 4

Oh my the webs we weave for ourselves. Right. You probally can't conceal your background from the right people no matter what you do. So just be honest and do like you have done here. don't try to be deceitfull and hide behind other crooked people. It's time to be a good person. You know this to. You said up there on your post that you might get onto trouble for not being honest. When you try to lie to the government you will get cough eventually. Just keep this in mind. It's not OK to lie. If you try to be honest then when you speak to people they will know that you might not always know all the answers but, at least you are no liar. Good Luck to you and yes report your winnings. You have to. How much did you win by the way? LOL OK nevermind! God Bless You and always try to fight the good fight!

Answer 5

I am an ex-police officer. I believe you should be honest about your past dealings or it will come back and bite you. You would be surprised at how many interviewers appreciate the honesty. You need to tell them things such as... "I was young and stupid and didn't take things seriously." and tell them how you have changed. Honesty goes a long way.

I believe at the state level, you will not be looked at with any such record with drugs.

Many people work jobs and are paid under the table. Providing this was legal work, you can still use it as a reference or put on an application. They don't need to know you were paid under the table and they would never ask.

Answer 6

Be straight about it. At least that way you can explain yourself. I promise you that I will find out everything in your past. You would be amazed at how easy it would be. Once I find something, you're done. And you will not be able to apply again. Also, if it's a small community, I may tell the neighboring agency. This is really how it goes. Your only avenue is to be stright about it and hide nothing. Also, regarding the under the table pay, I usually have applicants sign a 4506T form so I can pull their tax records.

Answer 7

You need to just take a breath. If your applying for a job yes. If you don't they will just find out later. Not to mention its illegal to lie about your criminal record and I'm sure you don't want to get sued. Also for the drugs problem start attending a local church. It could help you Mentally and you could also be able to tell the place your applying for that your turning or turned your life around. And you might get in trouble for not reporting winnings to IRS but I don't know.
P.S. Once again with dating you should tell someone your record up front. They would probably be mad if you told them some time after you met because the you they thought they knew it not you.

Answer 8

You should not conceal it.

If a department finds out that you lied that them, they will forever disqualify you from applying. They might also share that information to any other departments you apply at. At least if you are honest, you may have a shot at getting a job somewhere. Even if it is with a tiny department.

It is easy to find stuff in your background. It is amazing the information can get from former employers, friends, family, classmates, ect.

Answer 9

what! Don't tell anyone that stuff. It's no one's business. And think twice about listing the jobs you got paid illegally for... the IRS may not find out, but that sounds kinda shady to me. The business may be in more trouble than you if you made less than a few thousand dollars.

Answer 10

I got two jobs as a cop and I told them the truth about my background. I have never been arrested, but I'm not completely innocent either.

Keep those references handy, you may need them.

Answer 11

1. As a direct result of this question, any decent investigator WILL find your CONFESSION. It is now easy to uncover.
2. I may not bring these up, but lying will get you in more trouble that the truth.