IbeToken

I am about to get my first full-time job at the end of May and was wondering what happens when you get a job offer. Do you usually get tested right after you sign a contract or do you get tested the first day you get to work? I know this question is hard to respond to, but really looking for some general information. Also, I might mention that I am still in school and would be accepting an offer for the future, as the start date will be sometime around the beginning of May.

1tokeovertheline

They usually test before you get hired. They don't want to waste their time if you don't pass the drug test.

Somnium

I'm guessing you'll go through the interview process, piss if you're qualified, then based on that get hired or the boot. Scratch that, you're in a unique situation.

Merg, that is a toughie. So you're accepting a position now, to start work later? I'm thinking they're going to test you to make sure they don't have a filthy filthy stoner lined up to work for them when they could have someone else, but that's my pessimistic point of view talking. They might also test you when you get closer to starting too, to make sure you haven't turned IN TO a filthy filthy stoner, so start reading up on how to sub.

__________________
If you know you have to take a drug test at any point in the future quit smoking! Read the stickies and never start up again until you're completely in the clear, you never know if you might have to retest due to an error.
If in doubt, ask yourself this question: What's more important, getting out of the mess you're in or getting high?

zonecode88

I am speculating in some of this here, so don't quote any of this as fact.
The process usually goes...
interviews (1 or 2 is standard) > qualification and reference verification, and criminal/rmv checks > drug screen.
Most places will save any lab drug screen for the last stage of the hiring process, because it tends to be the most expensive part. Put it this way.... If the guy in charge of hiring had 4 people take drug tests, all of them pass, and the guy hires the 1 person he wanted to hire the most... then he has just wasted the company's money on 3 unnecessary drug tests.
Of course, that doesn't mean things will go that way. For example, an aquaintance of mine told me about when he got a job at a supermarket. Apparently they needed to fill a position quicky or something, because at his first interview, they told him he could start work the following week if he could pass a saliva drug screen right there on the spot. I have read that alot of places are moving towards alternatives which are quicker and cheaper than the more popular lab urine test.
Concluding, there is no universal step-by-step rule book for pre-employment procedure. I suggest you find out in one way or another from somebody who works there. It worked for me anyway. GL bro

Darius927

Hmmmmm, I'll fill you in on my situation, if it helps.

I applied for an engineering position with a company. They told me that I wasn't quite qualified for a design positon, so they offered me an open ended positon through a temporary agency.

I had my start date and everything set before they even brought up the subject of testing, but I already knew I would have to take a drug screen (hey, it's engineering). This probably doesn't help you, but I thought I'd throw it out there anyway.