subject: Trying To Find A New Job? Think You Can Pass The Background Check? [print this page] Companies are taking a closer look at who they hire today. Companies know that bad hiring decisions can cost them a lot.
This is the reason why more than 90% of employers do background checks on those people who apply for jobs.
When doing a background check, the hiring company will take a close look at your personal and professional history. Your education and past employments will be checked, and they will check if there is a criminal activity in your record and talk to your references. There are even some companies that check your driving record, credit history, or previous drug testing results.
This means that the company will need some very specific information from you. For example, they need contact information for your former employers and the names of your previous supervisors.
This kind of info would not be found on a resume. This is why companies have their candidate fill out a job application that's designed to get info for background checks.
Know that how you fill out the job application will have a direct effect on whether you'll get the job or not. Most companies report that discrepancies on the job application can cost the applicant the job.
When you fill out a job application, you have to make sure that the information is complete and verifiable. But there can be lots of situations that can cause an applicant many problems. Here are some.
What kind of contact information do you give for a previous employer that's no longer in business?
If you worked for a company through a temporary agency, who do you list as the employer?
If you got fired from your last job, should you not include it in the application?
Know that how you answer questions like these can make a huge difference on the outcome. Human resources will caution against hiring a person whose information is lacking, hard to read, or has inconsistencies.
For you to get a job, you must have a professional-looking resume, strong interviewing skills, and a positive attitude. These tools will get you in the door and help you make the final cut.
But you wouldn't get the job if you don't pass the background check.
So you have to spend time to prepare the necessary information for your job application. It's one of the best things you can do in your job search.
