Due to the current job market and the availability of employees, managers are more careful than ever when hiring new employees. It has become more common, in the last few years, for even the smallest business to run a background check on prospective employees to verify that you are who you say you are, and that you have the experience and qualifications for the job for which you are applying.
Do you know what your background would look like to a future employer? If you do not, then there are easy ways to run the same types of background check used by employers.
Being forewarned is being forearmed, so when issues arise in a background check, you will have a thought-out response instead of being blindsided by adverse information. It is possible that issues are on your record, put there by mistake, and knowing this before a prospective employer does may very well give you a chance at the position for which you are applying. It will also show the employer that you are diligent and honest, which are qualities admired by most employers.
Criminal History/Credit History
Employers are not only looking for criminal activity or driving records in your past. They are also looking at your credit report and financial records. You can check information about yourself in all these areas online.
You might find that there are negatives on your report that are not yours or that can be easily explained. In this case, you can take action to remedy the issue in the instance of an adverse report. If there are no errors and the records are an actual portrayal of your past, you will at least be aware about what the employer will see so that you can answer questions honestly.
A credit report can be acquired from several sources such as annualcreditreport.com or creditkarma.com. These reports will let you know about your financial standing and give you the chance to correct any mistakes as well as tips on how to improve your credit score.
What are your Rights?
Employers are required by law, under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), to gain consent from you to run a background check. If they fail to hire you due to what they consider as adverse issues, they are required to give you a copy of the report for you have the chance to dispute the results. Again, if you already know what is on your report, you will have a stronger case to make regarding an adverse outcome. Jobs that pay in excess of $75,000 per year are not subject to this rule.
If you think that you have been treated unfairly or that a company has violated the law or your rights under this law, you can contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the agency that oversees these rules and regulations.
Be Prepared
Being proactive before applying for a position can actually help you get it eventually. Having information about yourself that employers may very well get a hold of is an excellent method to be the best candidate possible and hopefully get you hired. Being well-informed prior to a job application is as important as the submission of your resumé or filling out the application form.
Be prepared with your answers before the questions arise. This will not only give the employer a better impression of you but might actually land you that job you need.