Background Interview Question

[LloydXmas250]

Hey. I'm going in for my Background Interview next Monday and am finishing up my Personal History Statement but I have a question. They say in education they need proof of education. Obviously transcripts would work but what about for high school? My diploma is in a box in storage and is not the most readily accessible thing for me to find. Do I need that? Will a college transcript be sufficient? Thanks for the help in advance.

[ankyle62]

You need to get it, I had a copy of it, but not the sealed transcript from high school. I had to drive 3 hours to go get mine. Trust me, you want all your stuff in order and nothing at all that will irritate the investigator. I wouldn't show up empty handed.

Check over everything before you turn it in. I had a few errors on one of mine(spelling and semantics), and was hit for attention to detail. Have another pair of eyes read over it, at least that's what I'm going to do next time.

[ckim34]

You are going to need to go to your school distric office and get a sealed copy.

[1911su16b870]

You are going to need to go to your school district office and get a sealed copy.

+1 Yep...you will need it.

[LloydXmas250]

Thanks. I'll have to call and request those transcripts. Thanks again. Since this thread is open do you guys have any advice for a background interview besides to be honest? I've got that part down well. Any advice is welcome.

[SVT-40]

Be honest and be yourself. Look the questioners in the eyes. Don't fidget. When entering the room offer your hand to each of them. If you can remember each interviewers name do so, so at the conclusion of your interview you can thank each one of them for the opportunity to work at XXXX agency.

Sell them on why you want to work at that agency, as opposed to just being a LEO.

[Petro6golf]

Know your dates and times. Be honest. When asked a question look them in the eyes. These people are professional bull crap readers. If you stare at the floor or look around you will make it harder. Have fun, the polygraph person is not your friend, even if they say they are

[bfoster]

Be honest. Even on the most embarassing stuff. You'll end up telling the background folks stuff you'd never tell your closest friends. Hiding stuff will get you tossed out on your hind parts. Give them a heads up on negative items they are to encounter. If you have an ex-girlfriend that hates you, tell your BI. Better the BI hears it from you and is ready then letting them get blindsided by something.

[Trigger Finger]

Just what everyone else said, but I would think twice about mentioning everything negative in my past!!! If they bring it up, answer the question completely and honestly.

They do expect you to be nervous!!

[LloydXmas250]

Thanks for the replies. This is just a background interview, they will do the polygraph a little later. I appreciate the help.

[GSwain]

Do yourself a favor and get a few sealed copies of your transcripts from everywhere that you have gone to school. My backgrounds investigator misplaced one set, the mail lost one set, and I finally hand delivered the 3rd set to him, in person. Depending on what department you are going for, things may move fast or slow, but having all of that stuff on hand will make your life ALOT easier.

[eltee]

Don't be afraid to say you don't remember something, or can't remember a specific date, locations, etc. about something. We are not computers with total recall.

Depending on your agency's background policies, the B.I. may want copies of transcripts, work records, etc. mailed directly to him/her from the issuing institution or get them personally if it is close. You'll sign release forms to enable that.

Most schools are experienced in sending out electronic or hard copy transcripts, so it is usually not a big deal and can be done by phone or written correspondence.

Just relax, be yourself, wear something comfortable so you aren't squirming.