I am looking at Government IT contracting work as my next career step. A little worried about being able to pass a Public Trust check. Not because of any problems.
Background on me is that I am late 50’s, no criminal record (2 small reduced traffic tickets), perfect credit (one missed 30 day payment almost 7 years ago). No drug use, etc. Very straight arrow.
Have owned my current home, clear, for almost 10 years now.
My problems are with the personal verification.
My former employer of 5.5 years (I was cut in early Aug) has a policy of no personal references at all.
I worked remote, so I do have a few coworkers who can vouch for my work ethic and character.
I don’t know my neighbors very well at all. 1 set I don’t get along with (they are shady). Lady next door now has dementia. Guy across the street is newly moved in.
We are living in a state away from estranged family, and our few friends have been limited contact for years.
You can see my problem. I should pass the background based on my reliability, solid, never been in any trouble, financially responsible. Am just challenged to provide long term people who can vouch all around.
I can prove I live here and have owned the house for almost a decade. Deed, I can get utility records etc.
How hard is it going to be for me to get even a basic public trust? What can I do to prepare up front in terms of workarounds for the references problem?
I don’t have a job YET - but as above now that i’m looking I want to get in front of this.
As long as you provide someone who is aware of where you have lived, worked, etc…it should not be an issue. You do have to provide 3 contacts for people who have know you that covers the last 10 years combined and they cannot be relatives or spouses.
One time I provided a reference for a couple down the street that I did not know at all except the occasional “hello.” The investigator asked me if a young couple with a child lived there and about how long they had been there. I was able to answer that, and I suppose that was all that was needed.
Regarding “no personal references,” this is becoming pretty standard, although they will probably be willing to verify that you worked there between certain dates.
For the previous employment, was there anyone working with you back then who is no longer an employee? Sometimes former employers can get around the “no personal references” Even if that is the case, provide what you can, and the sources can just state that it is company policy to not provide personal references. Any former clients/customers? Anyone in your personal life (friends, etc) who knew where you were working? With the remote work boom it’s getting tougher to find coworkers in the traditional sense, investigators know that.
If it’s public trust, you may not need a direct neighbor. But if the neighbor across the street has been there 6 months, he should be good enough. You mentioned “we” Assuming it’s a spouse or partner, do they have friend with whom you socialize, or even hang out with?
Gather what you have, and give what you were able to come up with. There is no need to provide the deed or any utility bills, so don’t bother going down that path.
I have had cases where the Subject, due to his industry, LITERALLY had no one. A supervisor and that was it. Lived in an apartment, only hung out with his sister and her daughter, you get the picture. Did what I could, and put in A LOT of notes stating attempts and that Subject could not provide additional leads.
Good luck, and try not to overthink it. (easy to say, I know)
Thanks everyone. I appreciate the responses. They help.
I’m not exactly the most social person in the world, keep a very short list of trusted contacts anyway - and a little worried that might bite me in this context.
But based on your replies I think I get the picture.
Now I just have to find a job, so this clearance thing becomes an actual problem. LOL.