I found out that one of the companies I interviewed with is doing a background check on me, prior to sending an offer letter.
At first, I was delighted. But now my anxiety is rearing up again.
This company is in the same industry as the last company I worked for. I was let go from my last job because the CEO didn’t like me. What if the CEO at the new company knows the CEO at the old company? People in that industry tend to know each other.
In the interview, it seemed to me like they didn’t ask very probing questions, and it seems like they’re rushing towards an offer letter awfully fast. That makes me nervous. What if they now hear something they don’t like, and change their minds about me?
Or, what if this seeming haste and carelessness on their part is really true, and the company is a disaster waiting to happen? After what happened at my last job, I’m nervous. I thought things were pretty solid there for 2 1/2 years - and then in November, the contract changed, we got a new supervisor, and things went south fast.
I do still have interviews at two other places next week. That makes me feel better.
Written by
Kat63
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Try and accept you've got this far as you most be doing something right! I usually find that it's the personnel department that answer any quires about your past employment with them! I would think they can't go into certain things regards your employment a bad reference can leave your old ceo at risk of legal action if you can prove his letter is false and untrue! Please try and relax you me worrying about nothing I wish you the best of luck david
Hi Kat. I'm not sure of your industry or your level of entry, but I'd say if the CEOs of those companies knew each other and they do talk...your old CEO probably didn't dislike you as much as you think, as you'd not get to interview stage at the new company. (Positive). The fact that you did get to interview stage says there's no conversation on you in a negative light that will happen in future, why waste money on a process that can be avoided. (I make quick phone calls if I'm looking at a CV of someone who I know an old manager or colleague of theirs before inviting to interview) (Another positive for you)
It could go off course though and you end up in a position where you get to choose from more than 1 offer. That's always nice 😁
Whatever happens, it sounds like you've got desirable skills and experience. I hope it works to your liking.
Don't go looking for stuff to worry about! The worst that can happen is that they don't hire you. You have no control over how well the company is run. If they were in trouble, they wouldn't be hiring in the first place. Just take things one step at a time.
You get it. My whole problem here is what my own brain does to me. I could have the most perfect life in existence, and still find something to be anxious about.
I've been where you are. I had too much time to think about everything that could possibly go wrong. Don't worry, it's all upwards from here! Once you get hired, your self-esteem and confidence will surge, and your thoughts will be back on the right track. Looking for a job is always unpleasant, to say the least, but you're plowing through it. Let us know how things turn out!
Well done for getting this far. It’s a great achievement and proves you can do interviews and everything you have in place , along with your experience works to get you here ...
It will fall into place xx
Doing a background check is great. They don't spend money on that unless they are very interested. If you have no criminal record it will be fine. Who cares if the last guy didn't like you, not a reason to not hire. They won't find that out anyway. That's frivolous. Good luck. I bet you will get the job. Good for you for going for it and putting yourself out there. That's freaking hard!
Generally they will not do a full screening if they do not feel you can do the job.
I worked for a Government type company and as I proceeded up the ladder or was moved on further up the company, they would screen me. In my case it was all done up to seven levels of my family history, also my criminal record including driving fines. I was also talked to by security every two years and if I went on holiday abroad I could expect further checks before I went to certain countries and on my return. My wife had the same treatment although not as intense.
This was over thirty years ago.
If the company is going to all the trouble to check on you it will be costing a great deal to do it, it would seem they are keen on you so stop worrying.
Good luck, hope all goes well, there should be no reason that it should not.
Hi and the sky could fall in, the earth could stop rotating etc. Feel very pleased with yourself for getting so far in the job and try and live in the present. You can't change the future so concentrate on the here and now and use the opportunity to give yourself a treat for doing so well. x
I think background check will just be a simple process. You have done well. I just interviewed with the CEO last week but got rejected. I got quite depressed and don’t know what is my direction now.
All I’m saying is u r brilliant and u have done and achieved so far! I m proud of u!
Things vary from state to state that it's illegal for former employers to say anything negative about you, just if you've worked there before? Because it can be a personal opinion nothing to do with what kind of worker you were. The government doesn't want a lot of people unemployed because a boss doesn't like you?
You don’t want to work with people who don’t like you. And I wouldn’t want to work with someone so quit to judge you, anyways.
That’s a lot of “what ifs” focused on negative outcomes - I do that too. So to counteract the catastrophizing. What if the CEO’s do know each other and the CEO at the new Company thinks the CEO at the old company is an idiot?! 😀 And, because the new CEO thinks the the old CEO is an idiot he hires you because he figures the idiot let you leave that company that you must be doing something right?! 😜.
Back ground checks are very common place in 2019. Send out the good vibrations and expect only the best results. What you send to the Universe will return to you.
Meditate!!! YouTube.com is free. Meditate on right action.
I think you are brilliant to even consider moving jobs. I'm sooo unhappy and struggling at work but cannot summon up the strength to change jobs. The whole process is overwhelming 😣 try not to get bogged down with what ifs? You sound like someone they would be lucky to have. Good luck x
Kat we're here for you. Have you ever chewed bubblegum? If so, would chewing an extra piece keep a dam from collapsing? Sound silly? Well worrying about your job or anything else for that matter, has as much affect on life as chewing bubble gum to keep a dam from collapsing. See my point? You have a creative, brilliant mind use it for something you can affect. Okay? (((((Hugs for Kat)))))!!!
I know. And I’m doing OK on the surface, but the anxiety is right under my surface. What if losing that job is the beginning of the end of my career? What if I’m never able to find something good again? Oh, and what if my relationship with my bf doesn’t work out?
I’m also feeling anxious about the idea of losing the older members of my family - my dad, my aunt and uncle. My mom died about 18 months ago, and now I’m scared of losing more people.
Like Jeff says below, don't be hostage to 'what if' or your worries in general. If you have time to worry, then you have time to do something productive or entertaining or both. Use your mind properly and you won't have time for worrying. Even so, your friends are always here for you. Look closely, we're well represented among those who answered. That's because we care. You have control, Kat. You can chew gum while the dam collapses or you can call someone to fix the problem. How are you going to fix your problem? Think on that for awhile..... (((((more hugs for Kat)))))!!!!
Don't be a hostage to "What if". You knew what business they were in when you went for the interview. They have shown an interest in you and may make you an offer. That's good, accept it, somebody values your worth.
If anybody in this new company knows someone in your old company, so what? If you go and work there they will judge you on your work for them, not your work for your previous employer, people speak as they find.
Anyway you haven't been offered the job yet and you have two more interviews to look forward to.
You are doing what we all do, imagining the worst case scenario. All is well, everything going according to plan. Who knows, maybe next week you'll have the problem of choosing between two offers.
Your anxiety is just exaggerating minor concerns of no importance. As we all experience from time to time. You'll be fine.
I have been in a similar situation. And have even been fired. But know that you can and will survive this. I survived that phase of my life without even being in treatment, which amazes me. You have lots of us out here rooting for you to be successful!
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