Credit check for Civil Service Fast Track Graduate scheme?

preciousillusions

Hey, i was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me as i can't find much through searching online.

I am wanting to know if when applying for the civil service/MOD fast track graduate scheme they are likely to run a credit check? Just worried as i really want to go for this but am having to enter into a Debt Relief Order and am obviously thinking that if they are aware of this they may be reluctant to employ me or even offer an interview . I really need to do the DRO really but am really concerned about how it might impact upon job applications, in particular this one as it it is government related and rather important. I don't think having a DRO would impact my ability to perform at a job at all but of course they may asume certain things about my character if they know about it.

I hope someone can help, thanks in advance for any replies.

wontfallforit

preciousillusions wrote: »

Hey, i was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me as i can't find much through searching online.

I am wanting to know if when applying for the civil service/MOD fast track graduate scheme they are likely to run a credit check? Just worried as i really want to go for this but am having to enter into a Debt Relief Order and am obviously thinking that if they are aware of this they may be reluctant to employ me or even offer an interview . I really need to do the DRO really but am really concerned about how it might impact upon job applications, in particular this one as it it is government related and rather important. I don't think having a DRO would impact my ability to perform at a job at all but of course they may asume certain things about my character if they know about it.

I hope someone can help, thanks in advance for any replies.

Hiya...stepdad is an officer serving in one of the armed forces...

Although it's not the same type of work, he is 'vetted' every 10 years, for which a credit check is also done. I had a look at the notes included in his latest vetting pack (which, if successful, would allow him clearance at the 2nd highest level in the UK), and basically they state that any money problems/debts would be viewed "sympathetically", even if it had resulted in a debt management programme.

The main reason for doing the check is to reduce the possibility that they'd be employing people susceptible to financial blackmail. You've already taken responsibility for your debts (and, by Gov. standards, probably aren't that high anyway!), so I wouldn't worry too much.

Again, my stepdad does quite different work than for this grad scheme, but I hope it helps knowing that the MOD do in fact employ people in debt

LeeSouthEast

You don't say what you'll be doing exactly, but if it requires security clearance beyond a basic CTC (i.e. SC or DV) then you will be credit-checked.

olly300

preciousillusions wrote: »

Hey, i was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me as i can't find much through searching online.

I am wanting to know if when applying for the civil service/MOD fast track graduate scheme they are likely to run a credit check? Just worried as i really want to go for this but am having to enter into a Debt Relief Order and am obviously thinking that if they are aware of this they may be reluctant to employ me or even offer an interview . I really need to do the DRO really but am really concerned about how it might impact upon job applications, in particular this one as it it is government related and rather important. I don't think having a DRO would impact my ability to perform at a job at all but of course they may asume certain things about my character if they know about it.

I hope someone can help, thanks in advance for any replies.

Yes you will be credit checked for any job where you directly employed by the Civil Service or the MOD as part of security clearance.

What they are actually checking is can you be bribed. So when you are giving security forms you must answer them as honestly as possible as if you are open you are hard to bribe.

I am not sure if a DRO is a problem with this type of clearance, as I know people with criminal convictions including driving ones who have been cleared for some type of governmental or defence work but not others.

preciousillusions

Thank you so much everyone. Do you think i should hold off the DRO for a few weeks until the online application process is complete or is that not going to be much help anyway? Or maybe consider not entering into the DRO? I am really unsure as would be gutted if i got so far and then got rejected because of the credit check.

LeeSouthEast

I'm trying to remember the questioning on the last form I filled in.

It had tick-boxes for bankruptcy and IVA... I don't remember DRO being on there. But it did go on to ask about arrears/missed payments etc. I kept a copy somewhere that I can dig out tomorrow if you're still unsure.

There is space provided for "further comments" on any of the tickboxes, so you can say that while you had debt problems, they have been addressed. All they want to see is you are not financially insecure and liable to bribery.

dmg24

Security clearance is one of the last stages of the recruitment process, and may not happen for at least six months. Holding off for a few weeks will not really help.

Best of luck - I got offered a place a few years back, didn't take it because of a man - will not be making that mistake again!

LeeSouthEast

When I was re-vetted this year it took 6 months in total. Put the forms in around the end of January, and didn't get the credit-search footprint until mid-July.. so I concur that holding off a few weeks won't make any material difference.

wontfallforit

preciousillusions wrote: »

Thank you so much everyone. Do you think i should hold off the DRO for a few weeks until the online application process is complete or is that not going to be much help anyway? Or maybe consider not entering into the DRO? I am really unsure as would be gutted if i got so far and then got rejected because of the credit check.

In line with what others have said, there's little point in holding back on it. Be as honest and as upfront as you can. It's not something that that likely to bar you from employment, but it is something that, should you try to hide it (at least initially), your security check could be revoked, and you could be demoted, or quite easily lose your job.

If you stay with the MOD for some time, it's likely to be a process that'll be repeated every 5-10 years (or your job description may change, you may have to step up from SC to DV at some point, if you do well for yourself), so it'd only come back to haunt you. If you declare it now, and they're fine with it, it's unlikely to ever become a worry again.

Wait 'till you get to Developed Vetting, if you ever do

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classified_information_in_the_United_Kingdom#Security_clearance

wontfallforit

OP:

http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/AboutDefence/WhatWeDo/SecurityandIntelligence/DVA/TheVettingProcess.htm

Why do you need my/my partner's financial information?
If you or your partner are, or have been, in serious financial difficulty, or show signs of financial irresponsibility, you could be vulnerable to pressure or bribery.

Debts such as mortgages, loans or credit cards will not normally affect your suitability to hold a DV clearance, as long as you are able to keep up the repayments properly. However your financial situation will be carefully considered, and each case will be judged on its merits.

We may make enquiries if you seem to have large amounts of savings that you cannot explain. The Vetting Officer will ask you to bring some financial and other documents to the interview (see below for details).

Dare I ask how old you are, and how much debt you are in, OP?

The info above is a bit ambiguous but the emphasis is upon proper management of your debts. If you're relatively young and in a reasonably small amount of debt (which may seem huge to yourself, but probably a drop in the ocean compared to what the MOD are used to), you may come out 'clean'.

You've obviously made some mistakes where finances are concerned, but you seem to be heading in the right direction in rectifying this problem. Additionally, if this job will put you in a good financial situation which could allow you to clear your debts quicker and avoid any further problems, that could also work in your favour.

preciousillusions

I am 22 and the debt is about 7000 for which the DRO will be issues for. I was just worried that no matter how much debt i am in the fact i would have a DRO would be worse. But then i suppose if my credit score is very poor now anyway having the proof that i have dealt with it i.e. the DRO might actually be a good thing? I don't know...i guess i just have to go for it and see what happens. I worry too much, did anyone notice lol?

Thanks everyone for your replies, you have all been a great help and i really appreciate it. Lee, if you could take a look at your documents just to clarify what they say that would be great too.

xx