Security vetting

[revenuew]

I have a few job offers at the moment but for the dream one, may need to go through enhanced pre employment checks/security vetting. I was just wondering if anyone else has vaguely been through similar and could give a bit of a handhold.

I am finding the process stressful, and don’t have anyone to discuss how I’m feeling with in real life. It’s just the feeling of having a spotlight on my personal life and events outside of my control. I can’t help but wonder if I may end up being reprimanded if I don’t pass the checks. On balance there’s no major red flags but I’m not the decision maker! Wondering if it’s better if I just withdraw from the process.

[NineToFiveish]

Why on earth would you withdraw from a job offer?!

I'm undergoing a similar process for a new job, it does feel kind of invasive and overblown but it is what it is. I have sent them the correct documents and I'm now waiting on confirmation so I can start. Just let the process happen, it isn't personal, its just their policies.

[marcopront]

What did you expect when you applied for the job?
If being security checked is stressful then won't the job be.

[effoffwind]

I work in an area where an enhanced DBS is required
As I have nothing to worry about or hide - I never give it a thought
If you have an past criminal charges then it's always best to discuss them in advance - some historical charges are irrelevant
Eg - I have someone on my team who has a GBH entry that is from a DV situation over 10 years ago

[gindreams]

I am sorry you are finding this stressful but all you really need to do is be honest about everything and it will be absolutely fine

The only person I know who failed vetting didn't declare an arrest. It's actually really rare to fail a vetting check

[ap1999]

Are you under going SC or DV (as in security clearance or developed vetting) or some kind of dbs check ?

They are very different. The first 2 require you to complete very in-depth secure/time sensitive online forms. They are phenomenally intrusive but no one going into a job requiring this would be remotely surprised.

DBS is a passive system where you/your employer apply for your criminal record to varying degrees. Convictions/cautions etc

In the first type, HONESTY is the all important thing. They are looking for you to give full honest disclosure to the questions asked. Criminal convictions, financial difficulties (even CCJs) are not an issue. The issue is failure to tell the truth and thus leaving you open to blackmail which would have terrible consequences in the type of job that requires this sort of clearance.

With DBS there is no point in stressing. Your record is what it is. Your best option if it comes back with something you would rather it doesn't is to explain the situation to your employer.

[ap1999]

I am required to have SC so if you want to know something specific please ask.

[BatteryPoweredPeacock]

IME if you are nervous if the security checks it's because there is something specific there you are worried about. Eg past convictions or current debt.

Be honest. You tend to fail for lying.

[Whaleandsnail6]

I had to have security vetting to work in a prison. I did find it stressful filling out the form, for example I needed to declare a speeding fine that was over 20 years ago and I no longer know the date for. But I just put a random date close to when it possibly was and then a note saying that the date wasnt correct. It was fine in the end and my clearance actually came back quicker than I thought (just over 2 weeks) .

I too had a bit of a panic moment that I wouldnt pass (although I knew I "should" as there was no reason I shouldn't!) and that I'd get into trouble for wasting the recruiters time but it was fine!

[WalkingThroughTreacle]

As others have said, for governmental security checks, failure to disclose is the most likely reason to hit issues. Three things to bear in mind. The people vetting you do not know you personally so no reason to be embarrassed about anything. They have access vast amounts of information so they will find out anyway. No matter what you might be embarrassed about, you can be sure they've seen a lot worse.

Best to over declare if in doubt. E.g. if you are asked whether you gamble, even if it's just a weekly lottery ticket or annual flutter on the Grand National, declare it.

[mynameiscalypso]

I had SC for a while plus I've had to do lots of pre-employment checks for various jobs. I've never found it to be a big deal. DV is a bit more intrusive I've been told. If it makes you feel any better, my boss and I both had to go through vetting for an external role we both had. I passed mine and he didn't.

[jen5432]

The only time I have heard of someone failing a vetting check in recent years was a social media check which some companies now do to protect their reputation. So if you have anything in your real name and can, lock it right down. The problem is some people have posted a lot (sometimes when younger) that cannot be fully deleted. (Eg with tags or replies from others in Facebook or Twitter) If that's the case like others have said, get ahead of it and explain.

[Anameisaname]

If it's SC then it's just providing a lot of details on family etc. It was mildly annoying for me as I had to ask my estranged dad for a bunch of info but I know someone else who didn't have contact details for their dad and got through, just literally wrote not known in a bunch of places. Either way as PP said, just be honest. They are looking for disclosure not perfection!

[CGRossetti]

Let's face it, even if you circulated a picture of your wing wang to your colleagues while asking for their bank details, you'd still pass.

[Alexandra2001]

@revenuew You are worrying about nothing, its just a form to fill out, referees required and total honesty, as @ap1999 has stated.

Even with DV, i never found anything intrusive, i ve also been a referee and again, i wasn't asked anything really sensitive about the applicant.

You are not laying your life out before them at all but i cannot reiterate enough that honesty is 100% required &you may as well be, they know all this stuff about you in anycase!!!

SC/DV are Government security standards, not a company vetting procedure.

[revenuew]

Thanks everyone. There is something that I’m specifically worried about but I’d likely out myself to anyone in the know as it’s quite unusual.

I’m also worried about whether they would contact my manager as I haven’t informed them I’m job hunting. And whether they would contact parents as we are NC

[Imposter1212]

OP I have no relationship with my dad. I filled out details like full name and date of birth and the date of his marriage and divorce to my mum but explained that I had no further details. I have no idea where he lives, if he is remarried or had further children. In fact I don't even know if he is still alive. I also said that due to previous violence (noted that as far as I'm aware he was never charged with any domestic violence but the police did often attend the house) under no circumstances could I or indeed want to contact him. The last time I saw him was in 2001. This was accepted. Nobody from the vetting team contacted me and my clearance was approved.

I also had some financial issues 4 years ago so noted all that down and that was not an issue either.

[inneedofaglowup]

@revenuew

I have a few job offers at the moment but for the dream one, may need to go through enhanced pre employment checks/security vetting. I was just wondering if anyone else has vaguely been through similar and could give a bit of a handhold.

I am finding the process stressful, and don’t have anyone to discuss how I’m feeling with in real life. It’s just the feeling of having a spotlight on my personal life and events outside of my control. I can’t help but wonder if I may end up being reprimanded if I don’t pass the checks. On balance there’s no major red flags but I’m not the decision maker! Wondering if it’s better if I just withdraw from the process.

I worked in background screening what is your issue exactly? It's usually 3 weeks for background checks to be completed, do you know what checks are being carried out and why it's stressing you out? It shouldn't be this stressful at all.

[inneedofaglowup]

@revenuew

Thanks everyone. There is something that I’m specifically worried about but I’d likely out myself to anyone in the know as it’s quite unusual.

I’m also worried about whether they would contact my manager as I haven’t informed them I’m job hunting. And whether they would contact parents as we are NC

You should have an option to select where they don't contact your current employer and instead you'd be asked for documentation to confirm your employment period.

[Anameisaname]

Likewise they won't contact parents, and if you dont have details just put not known

[revenuew]

@inneedofaglowup

I worked in background screening what is your issue exactly? It's usually 3 weeks for background checks to be completed, do you know what checks are being carried out and why it's stressing you out? It shouldn't be this stressful at all.

I am referencing the in depth vetting mentioned by other posters. It requires a lot of information to vet not only you, but your household/ex partners/wider family, finance checks, company records etc.

This usually takes a few months rather than weeks - I don’t think we are talking about the same thing.

There’s significantly more scrutiny than a DBS or checking employer/character references. For example whether anyone in your circle has a criminal background. What you have posted online etc.

[inneedofaglowup]

Yep. I know what you're talking about. So you're having enhanced checks that can take anything from 4 months to 12 months. Is it yourself you have concerns about or someone in your circle? My best advice is to be honest about yourself, and if you have concerns about other people but are unsure, how are you to possibly know if there could be a discrepancy in someone else's history. I don't think it would affect your own credibility. Mostly the checks are to look out for affiliations with negative organisations and GSEC.

[TheRealKatnissEverdeen]

Sounds like SC.
I was very anxious and nervous the first time I did these checks in 2013 but, like others have said, I was honest and it was returned fine.
Depending on the backlog with the agency running the checks it can take up to six months at times but usually less.
Depending on whether you've given your notice in yet then you can just stay at your current role if there are any issues.
For my roles they've always wanted people to start whilst the checks are conducted which is completely anxiety inducing! As if you don't pass them they will walk you off site or terminate with immediate effect!
Fingers crossed for you.

[Circlingthesun]

I remember having to do some form of security clearance when I married my DH. Parents and family details, not just about me. Was fine, we had nothing to hide. This was about 40 years ago though.

[mitogoshi]

Unless you have something in your past there is nothing to worry about, I'm both dbs for work and security cleared mod for another reason, it wasn't intrusive you just put in your previous addresses

[mitogoshi]

I should add we all had to go through it in the household for reasons i can't disclose.