Pass the CIA Background Check

How to Clean Your Records and Pass the CIA Background Check – Becoming an agent is hard work, the application process is competitive, and the system can be arduous, but it’s worth it. This is a job that could leave you feeling fulfilled (and sexier), for decades to come. The first step to success is powered by passion, but the CIA background check stage of the application is one of the most important parts of the process.

If you come up less than crystal clean, you could find that you lose your chance instantly. This is quite harsh, considering 99% of us have made mistakes at some point in our lives, and that shouldn’t disqualify us from a second chance. So how do you clean up tarnished records and achieve the job of your dreams?

Make Sure you’re Fully Prepared

You won’t even receive a chance to have the background check if you don’t have the right education under your belt in the first place. Most of the time, you’ll spot CIA recruitment teams suited up and ready to enlist around various career fairs, with numerous undergraduate and graduate internship options available for exceptional students.

Remember, the CIA will only take on the very best, and the more advanced your degree is, the better chance you have of acquiring a position. It doesn’t matter much what your expertise is in, but a degree that emphasizes international relations will never go amiss, so consider options such as:
• Political science
• Security studies
• Law
• Mathematics
• Journalism
• Languages
• Psychology

Check Your Background before the CIA Does

Before you even apply for a job with the CIA, you’re going to need to make sure that your record is spotless. Every position within the CIA comes with security clearance requirements, and you’re going to need to sail smoothly through every check before you reach the next stages of your application.

Although the exact expectations of these security checks are not publicly known, you can typically assume that the number one requirement is that you do not have a criminal record.

If you aren’t sure about the information that may be floating around on the internet regarding you, there are various websites available that will search public records on your behalf and provide information on your phone number, family members, home address, and any misdemeanors.

For an in-depth check, you may have to pay a small fee, but the cost is worth it if you’re truly devoted to a career with the CIA. Here are just some of the websites that provide a background check service:

USSearch
Intelius
Peoplefinders
Instantcheckmate

How to Wash Away Marks On Your Record

Obviously, the easiest way to ensure you have a sparkling record is to make sure that you steer clear of any form of criminal activity. However, let’s be honest, we’ve all made mistakes and the things that you do when you are young should not have an irrevocable impact upon the rest of your life.

Although the CIA claims to understand that nobody is perfect, many security officials pay close attention to any negative instances within your record, and the careless behavior you might have indulged in on a whim could ruin your future chances for success if you don’t deal with the evidence in advance.

Investigating Your Record

First, you’ll need to get a copy of your criminal record. This means contacting the appropriate state, federal, or local agency within your jurisdiction. Sometimes, criminal records can contain offenses that should have been stricken from your background already, as well as accidental duplicate charges or mistaken information belonging to someone else.

When you get your record, check immediately for any mistakes in the charges, names, dates, and dispositions. If there is an error, the clerk’s office should be able to remove it, and if they have any problems, they will direct you to a prosecutor’s office that can help.

Next, obtain the required documents to file for expungement of any charges that were dismissed, or you were found not guilty of. You can also eliminate various minor convictions such as small traffic or alcohol violations after a period of time. However, the rules do vary according to each state, so make sure you contact your local courthouses’ criminal department to determine which of your convictions are eligible to be expunged.

Author
Benjamin Roussey

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