When you’re looking to secure a new job, you don’t want to have any red marks against you. You have great work history, the proper field experience, and great recommendations. However, what about that DWI you’ve been dealing with? Will I have to disclose this? And better yet, will it show up during an employer background check?
Employer Background Check: Will A DWI Show Up?
Driving Record
Through these employer background checks, an employer can gain access to your driving record. That means they will see any prior seatbelt violations, speeding tickets, or drinking tickets. If your job requires that you do any amount of driving, then this will most likely affect your employment. In addition, if your job offers a company car, they may not allow you to have one if you are hired.
Criminal Record
After a DWI conviction, this charge will show up on your criminal record. Therefore, it will show up on an employer background check. Once it goes onto your criminal record, it may interfere with an employer’s policy. Or it may not… Ultimately, this all depends on the employer and the job description. In some cases, people may be hesitant to hire someone with a criminal history, or others may think it’s no big deal.
Jobs That Won’t Hire You
For the most part, jobs that require you to drive will not hire you after a DWI conviction. Likewise, it may jeopardize your current employment if you need to drive for work. This can include jobs such as semi-truck driver, or delivery services employees, such as UPS.
When it comes to semi-truck driving and bus driving positions, these are entirely off-limits. In fact, most jobs that deal with teaching or child care will perform an extensive background check. Since it’s a job with children, most of them require you have no criminal history. Therefore, a DWI conviction may disqualify you from these types of positions.
Disclosing your past to your employer
When dealing with an employer, it’s best to be honest before going through an employer background check. You don’t have to inform them of your DWI too early, but it’s good to give a heads up before going through the background check. By doing so, you do have the chance to explain how it all shook out, assure them you’re being honest, and explain that you made a mistake which you are working hard to make right. You never know, it might be just the bit of assurance they need to take a chance on you.
