How To Prepare For a Background Check

If you\’re job hunting, you need to be ready for a potential employer to do a background check on you.  A background check can mean the difference between getting hired and not getting hired. Spending some time thinking about your background check before you apply for a series of jobs could save you a lot of grief and wasted time. It\’s a good idea to be aware of any red flags that might be on your record, so that you can plan how to handle them when they come up.

Here are a few steps that you can take to prepare for every piece of the pre-employment background screening.

Take a look at your own criminal background check even if you do not have a criminal record, it’s a good idea to run a background check on yourself. By doing this you will get to see exactly what the employer will see.

Check your CV and go through it throughly before sending it out to a potential employer. You need to make sure that every piece of information you have put on your CV is 100% accurate. Double check your job titles, employment dates, lists of responsibilities and accomplishments, educational background, and other details to make that there are no errors.

When you provide a list of references, don’t just list people who you think will speak well on your behalf. Contact the former employers, managers that you have listed as references and ask for their permission to list them as references. That way, you know that the person in question is willing to speak positively on your behalf and that the person is prepared to be contacted by prospective employers.

Depending on the job that you are looking for you might face other types of background checks. For instance, if you are applying for a position that involves driving, you will want to check your driving record for any red flags. If the job involves financial responsibilities, a credit history check could be in the cards for you. Drug testing is common for many jobs, so be aware that you may be asked to submit to a test prior to employment.

You Can’t Hide, So Be Prepared and Be Honest!