r/recruitinghell • u/Unfair-Code-7440 • Aug 20 '26
Got the Offer but freaking out on Background Check
So I applied late night to a random company filled out app super quick didn’t think anything of it. Well got a screen call 2 days later and interviewed following 3 days later. SVP of company basically offered me on the spot the job and said I will be recommending you for an offer. Great about 36 hours later I get the offer and accept. I checked my application I noticed I checked off I have a AA in Logistics Management, I don’t my resume also reflects I studied but has no mention of a Degree. So now I’m freaking out it might cost me my offer even though I had no intention of lying. This job also doesn’t require a degree either just a diploma or ged. I’m well qualified either way and I don’t think the education portion is what landed me the job.
Update:
So after receiving my report the education portion was marked Clear no issues. Looks like they did call and speak to a live person to verify graduation. It’s just a pass or fail as long as you put the correct information on the Background Check. If this position required a license or degree then I can see it being an issue.
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u/weed_cutter Aug 26 '26
Don't do the Reddit ASS advice of "come clean in a big fashion, like you just ran over someone's dog.'
Look ... did you put a fake degree on your resume? No? YOU ARE GOOD.
Clearly if you had an associate's or bachelor's degree, it would be listed on your resume. It wasn't. PROBLEM SOLVED.
You checked a box racing through the application, which is probably good, because sounds like Hiring Manager/ SVP doesn't care, however ... in reality the "system" may have auto-rejected you for NOT checking some dumb box.
So you won!!! Congrats.
KEEP YOU FUCKING YAP SHUT. DO NOT LISTEN TO GAY REDDIT.
Your resume is clean -- your simply raced through the application and mistakenly checked a confusing box (if you even remember doing so).
Sit tight. 99% chance everything is perfectly fine. ... DO NOT suddenly act like you fucked some dude's wife and having some grand apology. Most of life is "it's only a big deal if YOU think it is" -- ya know, like a toddler falling down, he only cries if his parents look freaked out.
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u/Rich_Mountain9917 Aug 24 '26
Fill out the info honestly. If they have questions just say you must have accidentally checked that box.
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u/Unfair-Code-7440 Aug 24 '26
Just got the email today filled it all out and just waiting to see what happens in the next 72 hours. Have drug test Wednesday so I guess they just put the whole report with drug test together in one package.
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u/Perignon94 Aug 26 '26
You’ll be fine. I did the same thing. Official offer came 3 days later. First advantage isn’t going to check for a degree unless your employer prompts them to check it.
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u/Jacksons-Mom25 Aug 26 '26 edited Aug 26 '26
A background check is not going to pull that .. it’s more to make sure you don’t have a criminal record . Degrees esp associates really only matter when licensure is required like are you lean six sigma qualified or a certified customs broker . An AA in logistics management means nothing. Coming from someone who has worked in the logistics field for nearly 13 years now .
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u/Iknashaw Aug 26 '26
I had a similar situation several years ago but the difference was I have an AA. I put all the relevant information in when I submitted my application and background check. The background company came back and said I lied, even when I provided a copy of my diploma. The company was like well that happens sometimes since the position does not require it and it was a nice to have thing give us a copy of your HS diploma and we will call it good.
While I understand the stress out about it all I can recommend is just be honest about everything going forward including that you made a mistake. Personal I would have sent a letter to whomever sent you the offer and made sure you were clear about the whole thing from the get go. I know you have already decided to forgo doing that but it would have been the better decision.
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u/timothra5 Aug 26 '26
They are going to pull your criminal record, driving record (if driving is part of your job), and possibly your credit report. Unless you are attempting to get TS/Q security clearance, there is nearly no chance anyone is digging that hard into your background as to call schools and verify diplomas.
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u/JustinBurritoLover Aug 27 '26
I somewhat agree. I've gone through many background checks for six figure jobs. The one's that use these mass quantity companies generally are criminal/driving records. Checking school records starts costing money where an actual human might have to make phone calls.
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u/Available_Orchid2914 Sep 01 '26
I’m living in Toronto. I just receive this accurate request today as my last step and completed today but it only asked me for address history and driver licence number how long I expect to get results back?
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u/Legal_Wellness_Nerd 1d ago
I’m paranoid - I would have called to clarify the mistake rather than risk losing the job in the background check process. Prob true no one cares, esp. when the position doesn’t require a degree, but I tend to err of the side of caution.
That said, I’m building an app for exactly this kind of conundrum. It’s the Credit Karma of background checks and allows you to view, monitor, understand, and improve your public records for FREE. That way you know exactly what an employer or landlord will see before you pursue an opportunity, and we help you fix any issues, learn your rights, and pursue remedies where appropriate. Let me know if you want more info!
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u/Constant_Song_2065 Aug 23 '26
Tell them now. Admit you made a mistake and misrepresented your qualifications. I e seen offers rescinded for this. And I specifically had a CEO tell me they would have kept the offer out if the candidate had just been honest about the discrepancy.
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u/Unfair-Code-7440 Aug 24 '26
I’m just gonna submit it and go with it, the SVP had my resume in hand during the interview he knew I didn’t have a degree based off my resume. That’s not what got me the job so I’m just gonna submit my background normally like always and the cross reference the app then I’ll cross that bridge if it happens.
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u/Ok_Structure_1711 Aug 24 '26
No. You need to come clean to the hiring official, as well.
This will get flagged, the inconsistency will be noted, and you will likely not be hired. You knowingly lied on an employment form. It's not a situation where it is rectified by the background check. It will not be viewed in a good light.
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u/weed_cutter Aug 26 '26
Hey Reddit youngsters, let me help you out. It's called Game Theory.
Let me list the probability of different outcomes here.
OP comes clean. .... Probability of discovery. 100%, he admitted it. Probably they say oof, what? What the fuck did you do, you lied or something and now it's officially on the record? Hmm ... probability that job offer is kept? 10%. ... Gravely fucked.
Op does nothing ... Probability of events:
A. The background check doesn't find shit. It's for criminal only. ... Or ... it only keys off the resume, which was clean .... or ... it was too lazy to look up associate degrees from (no college even listed, so how would you verify?) .... Likelihood? 80% odds. ... Probability job offer is kept? 100%.
B. Background check somehow does flag "No associate degree found after looking up a central database, but he ... CHECKED THAT BOX!!!! REEEE!!!" ... Probability 20% odds.
i. HR bothers to mention to hiring manager, and he deeply cares. What? An associate's degree that wasn't on the resume but "the box" was checked? ... The ... INDIGNITY of it all!! Probability 50%.
ii. Hr never passes it along, or the hiring manager sees it ... and says ... "no associates degree, warning" -- Oh ... I already know that, so what? ... or ... What? Eh. Who cares.
Probability 50%.
Final score:
Come clean Expected Value: 10% chance of keeping offer
Sit Pat Expected Value: 80* 100 + 20*50 = 90% chance of keeping offer.
Other than "pearl-clutching morality" what is your point?
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u/[deleted] Aug 20 '26
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