CTC checks - what are they looking for?

rhodria89

I'm about to go through a CTC security clearance for a job. I've never been in trouble with the police, haven't been to any unsavoury countries and have no dodgy relatives, so I think I'm good on that front. The bit that worries me is that the form says they look for 'Honesty and integrity'. I was a bit of an idiot a few years ago and might have some bad references where I left jobs without notice. I've never been under a disciplinary or anything, I just up and left. Will this be flagged up, and is this enough to fail me?


I also have quite a few periods of unemployment where I wasn't claiming benefits. I would be able to provide personal references and maybe bank statements that prove I was unemployed and in the country, will this be enough for them?


Apologies, I am just an anxious person and am imagining the worst case scenario.


Thanks for your help.

Brynsam

You 'might have some bad references' and you have 'quite a few periods of unemployment where you weren't claiming benefits'. Neither of these will help in the CTC process, particularly if you can't providing compelling evidence of what you were doing during these periods of unemployment and why you didn't need to claim benefits. This is the bit which will ring alarm bells - personal references and bank statements don't prove much in this context.

Les79

You'll have to wait and see. I don't think they'd outright reject you, but they may well get you in for an interview to determine the risk.

Things to consider:

- Did you sweep this under the rug when filling out the application form? If you did, they could get you on the "honesty and integrity" part right there and then.

- Assuming CTC means Counter Terrorism Check, do you think that you going AWOL on the job may have some serious repercussions (depending on what role you are doing). So they may well be initially concerned about that in relation to your previous employment history. I don't necessarily think they'd decline you without having a meeting though.

I imagine that I've probably just fed your anxiety but in reality this is why you've got to be a bit more professional. Hopefully since these jobs you've managed to gain stable employment and have one or two solid references at your disposal.

One option would be to contact the employer, either using your name or anonymously (general enquiry). They'll typically be fairly open and straightforward about it, as they'll likely have similar queries all of the time.

rhodria89

My last three references are solid and very positive, this was something I did 4 or 5 years ago and totally acknowledge it was unprofessional. I have not swept anything under the rug and have given details of all jobs and supervisors.


As for why I was not claiming benefits, I was living at home and thus was able to sustain myself on money saved from the previous jobs.


I will have to just play the waiting game, like you said.

Comms69

rhodria89 wrote: »

My last three references are solid and very positive, this was something I did 4 or 5 years ago and totally acknowledge it was unprofessional. I have not swept anything under the rug and have given details of all jobs and supervisors.


As for why I was not claiming benefits, I was living at home and thus was able to sustain myself on money saved from the previous jobs.


I will have to just play the waiting game, like you said.

To be honest you should've claimed benefits none the less (unless you actually couldn't due to savings), but I don't think it will be a major stumbling block

Les79

rhodria89 wrote: »

My last three references are solid and very positive, this was something I did 4 or 5 years ago and totally acknowledge it was unprofessional. I have not swept anything under the rug and have given details of all jobs and supervisors.

That's good. They will typically give people the benefit of the doubt, so as long as you seem to have "learnt your lesson" so to speak then they should be fine with that.

As for why I was not claiming benefits, I was living at home and thus was able to sustain myself on money saved from the previous jobs.

Sounds reasonable. If you have evidence to back that up (ie the address you were registered to with your bank is a good one) then should be fine.

But yea, hard for anyone to say what will happen and you'll just have to wait and see!

[Deleted User]

You are worrying a lot.

I recently am guided references were taken before I got through the door (which is very strange when I now know what I know about the majority of my references ie. they have moved on themselves so wouldn't be in a position to reply bar the very most recent) despite all the concern and time taken to prove employment as it is quite claused in the contract supplied (wage slips where one time I paid my notice period through deduction of wages seen very clearly enough I paid half my wage that month in a penalty situation) in addition when filling in the 5 year history check form recently.

Within a day of being in the place that seemingly commanded all this information, (I also got why the company wanted a trial day and that the worry over providing above info was so unjust...I was also greeted by an indirect blast from the past on first day which I would never have stood a chance against knowing so sometimes it is best to not sweat the small stuff as after a week compared to some people's 1 day apparent lasting at job and sadly it would seem the employer was as desperate as myself, come height of holiday time and the company being pretty remote. (one day I will learn I really didn't see it coming with recruitment spanning two months even) I think there is only one thing that needs to happen. It won't be easy either. And it isn't because of references and checks. People can say what they want, I just don't care any longer.

My advice remains this isn't something to worry about until they are escorting you out the building.

Brynsam

Deleted%20User wrote: »

You are worrying a lot.

I recently am guided references were taken before I got through the door (which is very strange when I now know what I know about the majority of my references ie. they have moved on themselves so wouldn't be in a position to reply bar the very most recent) despite all the concern and time taken to prove employment as it is quite claused in the contract supplied (wage slips where one time I paid my notice period through deduction of wages seen very clearly enough I paid half my wage that month in a penalty situation) in addition when filling in the 5 year history check form recently.

Within a day of being in the place that seemingly commanded all this information, (I also got why the company wanted a trial day and that the worry over providing above info was so unjust...I was also greeted by an indirect blast from the past on first day which I would never have stood a chance against knowing so sometimes it is best to not sweat the small stuff as after a week compared to some people's 1 day apparent lasting at job and sadly it would seem the employer was as desperate as myself, come height of holiday time and the company being pretty remote. (one day I will learn I really didn't see it coming with recruitment spanning two months even) I think there is only one thing that needs to happen. It won't be easy either. And it isn't because of references and checks. People can say what they want, I just don't care any longer.

I'm not sure anyone will understand your post, let alone say anything about it!

GreenTreen123

^read it a few times and you will

marliepanda

GreenTreen123 wrote: »

^read it a few times and you will

No it wont. Not only is it barely intelligible but it has no relation to the OP

nicechap

Deleted%20User wrote: »

You are worrying a lot.

I recently am guided references were taken before I got through the door (which is very strange when I now know what I know about the majority of my references ie. they have moved on themselves so wouldn't be in a position to reply bar the very most recent) despite all the concern and time taken to prove employment as it is quite claused in the contract supplied (wage slips where one time I paid my notice period through deduction of wages seen very clearly enough I paid half my wage that month in a penalty situation) in addition when filling in the 5 year history check form recently.

Within a day of being in the place that seemingly commanded all this information, (I also got why the company wanted a trial day and that the worry over providing above info was so unjust...I was also greeted by an indirect blast from the past on first day which I would never have stood a chance against knowing so sometimes it is best to not sweat the small stuff as after a week compared to some people's 1 day apparent lasting at job and sadly it would seem the employer was as desperate as myself, come height of holiday time and the company being pretty remote. (one day I will learn I really didn't see it coming with recruitment spanning two months even) I think there is only one thing that needs to happen. It won't be easy either. And it isn't because of references and checks. People can say what they want, I just don't care any longer.

My advice remains this isn't something to worry about until they are escorting you out the building.

Brynsam wrote: »

I'm not sure anyone will understand your post, let alone say anything about it!

GreenTreen123 wrote: »

^read it a few times and you will

Strange. If it hadn't been written by Deleted User I would have guessed it being penned by ........