Backgroundcheck degree date issue vs thesis defense date

just need some perspective.

I accepted a job offer recently and had a backgroundcheck done. I completed the form and in the degree date part, what seemed logical at that pressured time was to add the issue-graduation date of the document/degree (stated in the document itself), it was Aug2018.

However, the vendor contacted my faculty and they confirmed my thesis defense date as end date Dec2017. 🤦

So they called me and I explained it via the call and through the form that these dates represent different milestones one is thesis defense and one is issue date of the degree/when I received it, you can se both dates in the diploma scan I uploaded and in my CV I actually added Dec2017 as end date, but the degree date got me unsure while filling the form, so I thought it is safer to add the date next to the stamp and rector signature, as I am not sure what will be verified. 🤦😭

I now sit with my decision and I feel stupid for wanting to be as accurate as possible causing an issue for myself, it makes no sense for me to attempt any kind of misrepresentation as to what benefit would I have to state I finished my degree later rather then earlier.

Anyways, all other things are correct and supported by documentation, even this, but it keeps bugging me while the status of the report is - in progress.

I feel so stupid.

I did not contact HR since I already explained this to the 3rd party, didnt want to seem to overexplain as it is very transperent per the scan.

Thank you in advance for any comments or guidance.

Don’t worry about it too much - the process is working fine…

• they requested some information
• you provided it
• they attempted to verify it and asked you for some clarifications
• you gave a reasonable explanation for the discrepancy

The goal of background checks is to ensure you’ve not made any deliberate or significant misrepresentations - for example claims of experience or qualifications that you simply don’t have that might be critical to your ability to do the job you’ve applied for, or attempts to hide details that might affect your suitability for the role.

In your case, it’s an innocent misunderstanding of what information the form was asking you for. They’ve confirmed you do actually have a degree - you both just had different interpretations of what the key date was that they wanted from you. (Tbh, unless the form specifically asked for “thesis defence date” or “certificate issue date” I probably would have used the date the final academic year ended on the basis that “I was a student at XYZ University from ##/##/20XX to ##/##/20YY” so I would have been in the same position as you right now).

They might flag the discrepancy to HR as part of their standard reporting procedures (and to demonstrate the value of paying for their services) but you’d be super-unlucky if anyone used it as the sole basis for rejecting you (and if they’re the sort of employer who thinks it’s a deal breaker, maybe you’re better off working somewhere else anyway).

My suggestion would be not to stress about it, and let the rest of the background check process run its course…

——

As an aside, don’t beat yourself up over it, but something to bear in mind in future is that if a background check form is vague you can ask for clarification before you submit it - either from HR at the hiring company or from the background check company, or even send a brief cover note explaining any parts you were unsure about (e.g. “I wasn’t sure what date to put for my degree so I used the date of issue on the certificate” or whatever)