Conditional job offer and background check

Sehmett

Hi everyone. I really need an advise on my situation.

I'm unemployed now and looking for a job. Yesterday I received a conditional job offer. It's my dream company! Salary and benefits are much higher than I expected. However, the offer is a subject to successful background checking. It's not just criminal/credit check. It's an insurance company and they do full checks, including all employments, education, addresses etc.
If I fail this checking (there's a high chance my former boss says sth bad; we had conflict), they will withdraw the offer. All checking process will take 2-3 weeks!
My questions:
1. Should I still keep looking for a job and attend interviews?
2. If I have a job offer from another company, what can I do to keep myself safe? There's a high chance I can get another job offer in a day or two. I know it can't be as good as my dream company (especially salary). If I decline a new job offer and then will also loose my dream job, I'll be in a weird situation! If I accept it and then my dream company confirms successful background checking?

Please could you give any advise?

nicechap

Sehmett wrote: »

Hi everyone. I really need an advise on my situation.

I'm unemployed now and looking for a job. Yesterday I received a conditional job offer. It's my dream company! Salary and benefits are much higher than I expected. However, the offer is a subject to successful background checking. It's not just criminal/credit check. It's an insurance company and they do full checks, including all employments, education, addresses etc.
If I fail this checking (there's a high chance my former boss says sth bad; we had conflict), they will withdraw the offer. All checking process will take 2-3 weeks!
My questions:
1. Should I still keep looking for a job and attend interviews?
2. If I have a job offer from another company, what can I do to keep myself safe? There's a high chance I can get another job offer in a day or two. I know it can't be as good as my dream company (especially salary). If I decline a new job offer and then will also loose my dream job, I'll be in a weird situation! If I accept it and then my dream company confirms successful background checking?

Please could you give any advise?

You previous boss can write anything they like as long as its truthful; typically companies only confirm start and end dates to avoid being sued.


1 Yes


2 Accept the other job offer, if its only for a couple of weeks, and the first job comes through, you can always leave. If the first job doesn't come through, you still have a job.



(Dilemma grade C)

Sehmett

Thanks for your response!

robatwork

Just about every new employer will ask your previous employer for a reference, so you will have the "problem" with your old boss with any new company.

You should talk about this during your interview to try to explain your position.

BakingC

As someone who worked in financial services (insurance and banking/ mortgages) you shouldn't have anything to worry about from the checks unless you lied on your application about any studies / previous roles or have a cifas marker.

Do you remember the reference policy for your prior role? Every company I have worked for references come from HR and confirm job title and start and leave dates (including any promotions during that time). No personal references allowed which means your managers issue with you would have no bearing as they have no control.

Ja7188

If you don't remember the reference policy, just call someone in HR and ask them - that should set your mind at ease.

You should talk about this during your interview to try to explain your position.

I don't agree with this at all - since your reference will probably just contain basic information, why cast doubts on your suitability for new roles by telling potential new employers that you and your previous boss didn't get on?

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

Were there any concrete, documented outcomes from the conflict? What sort of company was it?

If the company is of any size at all it's unlikely your manager will even go anywhere near it.

[Deleted User]

https://www.totaljobs.com/careers-advice/job-reference/conditional-job-offers

1. Should I still keep looking for a job and attend interviews?
Yes - because you never know what may happen - eg. Dream company could keep delaying start date and it ends up, actually, not suiting you financially to be waiting - this happened to me a couple of years ago with a massive organisation, but the dream company (if such a thing exists) isn't lost and 2 years on I could re-apply...even more confident I'll pass all the checks so sometimes a re application in later life is no bad thing!(even though I now want to personally meet brand new employers)
2. If I have a job offer from another company, what can I do to keep myself safe? There's a high chance I can get another job offer in a day or two. I know it can't be as good as my dream company (especially salary). If I decline a new job offer and then will also loose my dream job, I'll be in a weird situation! You start the job hunt again in the great USP you are immediately available, you haven't quit a job for the potential of either.
If I accept it and then my dream company confirms successful background checking?
You then have to chose.
Sure any employer could write this in their next job advertisement:
"Due to a candidate accepting this post and changing her mind at the last minute, we are now looking again for a suitable candidate......"

I did recently see my first ever job advertisement when it was said they would credit check applicants before even offering an interview and I honestly thought way to go. It would save so much anguish. Sometimes what you don't experience, can never hurt.