Prior Employers

[Ron_F]

Finally, after two and a half months, I just received my supplemental application to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) along with my dates for the written and physical agilities test! As you can imagine the supplemental application is pretty extensive. I have not seen this question posted yet but on the application it asks for all employer's names, addresses, dates etc, etc, back to the age of 18. Which, for most of them I have. Here is the problem: it asks if the employer is still in buisness and if not "explain". Well most of these employers were from 16 years ago and all were in Michigan (I now reside in Florida). I have called the FHP recruiter and he told me that I should make every effort to find out the status of these former employers. Since I am in the military, I have not been back home much but I do know that these buisnesses have long since moved on. My wife is getting ready to make a trip back there to visit relatives and she is going to try to find out some info for me. Any suggestions?

[cpl_mike]

I don't do backgrounds while on duty, but I asked one of our investigators, and they usually go back 10 yrs,providing that there aren't any "red flag" type issues(i.e terminations,criminal activity,etc).What I'm sure they want to see is consistency, progression/diversification, not someone who jumps irregularly from one job to another.Take your time and look up the employers yourself prior to listing them (your former co-workers may have moved on and the company (ies) may not even have your employment record available-stick with your current position,then go back reasonably over the 10 yrs....that should suffice.

[Charlie]

Ron_F--

Here is a copy of what I posted at another web site. It might be helpful:

" * I'd recommend that you try and be as accurate as possible with this information. Perhaps you could contact some of your former employers and speak to someone in Human Resources (HR) for assistance. Just explain to them what you're doing. If HR cannot help because they've purged their files, cannot locate your files, etc. I'd recommend that you get a contact name and possibly include this information in your history statement.

* Employers often vary on how long they'll retain information concerning a former employee BUT, this does not exclude you from putting down information that is as accurate as possible! If need be, put down your best guess and explain that to the background investigator. In my experience, some employers will only retain information for roughl anywhere from 1-5 years.

*  I would also make sure you get good addresses and phone information for your former employers as well. Be as complete and as accurate as possible!  <br>
* I can tell you from experience, I am not going to waste a lot of time trying to track down this information myself if you haven't bothered to put it down.  Personally, I suspect "something" is up and that you're possibly hiding something. If it's not there and I have to hunt it down, your application may not get processed and it might be possibly dismissed for information ommissions, etc. mad:  <br>
So, keep that in mind. *hint, hint*   <br>
* How do you find out your former employer's information, especially if you've moved? By doing a little detective work on your own. Use some of the internet's directories such as Yahoo, Switchboard, etc. They have a search feature, some even reverse look up features. (Example: You have a phone number but no address and, you need the employer's mailing address). Usually, you can track down a phone and address in this manner.

* I would also suggest that you see if your former employer has a company web site. Most do. AND, most usually have a page about career opportunities as well.  Guess what? They usually have contact information to the main HR office! So, if you possibly need assistance with your date of employment, I bet you can find what you need.

* Oh yeah, almost forgot....If a former employer went out fo business and there is no way to track them down, put that on your statement and explain it to the background investigator. There might be some sort fo database that tracks this information but I am currently unaware of one that does.

Otherwise, the Social Security people may be your only other option then I think."

That's it.  Food for thought.

Charlie

[Ron_F]

I tend to think of the application itself as a test so I am trying to give them everything that they are asking for.   It is great to be able to draw on the experience and advice of so many. Thanks very much for the help cpl_mike and Charlie.

Ron

[Charlie]

Ron & anyone else with an equal interest--

Filling out applications, personal history statements resumes, etc.  IS essentially a test in itself!    Course, most potential employers won't openly telll you that but I can tell you that I (and many others) look at that stuff closely when viewing information about a potential applicant. I look for misspellings, inconsistent information, chronology of information for employment history, etc. Accuracy is important.  

Ron IS correct, it IS very likely another "test." Keep that in mind! 8)

Charlie