unescorted clearance/background check

[boom355]

I recently filled out a background check packet, which is used to determine whether or not I can have unescorted clearance into the power plant for which I will be applying to.  I am trying to get a security position, and my question is, how long does the background check generally take? 

[Jimmykroffa]

Usually takes about 2 days. It all depends on your background and if they can find people who know you etc...Usually no longer than 4 days...usually....

[boom355]

Wow, really?  I have a girl who works at the plant who is trying to help me in..  She said it takes up to two maybe more weeks, and she said she handed it in a couple of weeks ago.  Do you know where they send the packet to?  And would they contact me about the information on the packet?

[Jimmykroffa]

Everybody that was trying to get "badged" here was done by Friday, and we started on a Tuesday. The company I work for did a pre-employment background check before my start date, followed by an additional background check during in-processing. They were totally seperate background checks. This was also a moment of high frustration for me during in-processing though because the company had me coordinating my background check with their "background check company." I thought I got hired on for Ops, not Security.......

[boom355]

First, let me thank you for answering my questions.  Anyway, I haven't actually submitted an application for this security position just yet. The girl that is helping me out says that I have to wait for the background check to come back clean.  This was two weeks ago.  So, could it actually take this long to get your background checked?  And your saying once it is approved, they do another check? Im sorry, I just dont fully understand the whole process..

[Jimmykroffa]

I'm no security expert, but it probably depends on many factors including the company that is hiring you, the position that you are applying for, and the competency of the HR people pushing your paperwork. Why are they doing a background check if you haven't even applied yet? That seems like a waste of money from the company's standpoint. I didn't even start having my background checked until after my pre-employment testing, interview, and had received my offer letter. My second background check was during my first week of employment during in-processing. Your best bet is to call your hiring company's point of contact ask and ask about the status of your background check.

[Fermi2]

Takes about a week but they won't start it until you've been interviewed.

Mike