How far does a background check go for IT jobs?

[Anonymous]

Hi, I'm 27. I just got offered a software engineering internship and i'm supposed to pass a background check i think. Age 19 was the low point of my life. I came out of that year with 6 misdemeanors, including DUI, petty theft (stole beer), 2x drunk in public, 2x resisting arrest. That was 8 years ago. I don't know if it only goes back 7 years in my state or what? (Virginia). Will this be a problem to get a security clearance? Any insights? Thanks.

[exitseven]

I just got hired to be a systems administrator and I had to pee in a cup and had a background check. I worked in a K-12 school system nd had a CORI check. I have never been arrested so I had nothing to worry about.

If you have been a good boy for 8 years you should be okay,

[Asker]

Yep, my first day was yesterday!

[exitseven]

good for you.!!😊😊😊😊

[Asker]

Thanks!!!

[Bmories99]

Just be honest back ground checks are typically just crime checks. For a security clearance it depends on the level of clearance. To be safe 10 years is the normal time frame though it can grow. The best thing to do is be honest with all of it.

[Asker]

Turns out I didn't need a clearance for the internship, so I got that. Any idea how much of an issue will six 8-year old misdemeanors have on my ability to get the lowest level of clearance? Just wanna be aware of how far up I can go in this company, since they're mainly a federal contractor

[Anonymous]

An initial investigation for a security clearance will go back to your birth, so your criminal record will be found. What the decisionmakers do with that info is up to them.

[Asker]

Evidently I didn't need a clearance for the internship, so I got it. Any idea how much of an issue will six 8-year old misdemeanors have on my ability to get the lowest level of clearance? Just wanna be aware of how far up I can go in this company, since they're mainly a federal contractor

[Opinion Owner]

I guess you mean a Confidential clearance? It's up to the adjudicator.

[Asker]

Oh ok. Thanks!