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Honesty, Best Policy with Background Checks
By admin | April 29, 2008
Think your skeletons will stay firmly lodged in your closet? Think again. According to the Society for Human resource Management, 80 percent of employers conducted criminal background checks on applicants. In addition, 79 percent looked in to the previous work history of potential employees and 35 percent did credit checks. With those statistics, there’s a good chance a hiring manager will find exactly what you hope to hide. Since over 18,500 arrests for embezzlement in the U.S. in 2002, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, employers have learned that background checks are a necessity, especially for positions that could easily be abused.
For some, the idea of submitting to a investigation into their history and finances can be nerve racking. Not knowing what an employer will find can be the worst part. So, what should you do to avoid suffering such apprehension? Many experts say that you should consider conducting your own background check. You have the option of handling it yourself through public records or contacting a firm that specializes in these matters. For those that applying for high level executive positions the latter is suggested if there is any doubt about what a potential employer might find. By doing this you have the option of correcting any inaccurate information before it has the chance to make it into the hands of a potential employer and possibly ruin your chances at being hired.
For those that do have a black stain marring an otherwise perfect record there is only one option; be the one to blow the whistle on yourself before the results of a pre-employment background check have a chance to. You will find that many employers will understand extenuating circumstances such as a time of sever illness that resulted in your inability to work and therefore caused some credit problems.
In cases where a more serious offense will be found, it is still to the best idea to fess up to it. Still, you will find it in your best interest to be able to show some signs of improvement, whether it maybe a clean record since that time, receiving counseling, or volunteer service. This will give employers the idea that you have learned the error of your ways.
Nevertheless, employers must receive your permission to conduct an investigation into your background screening information. It is your right to refuse, but understand that doing so will most likely eliminate your chances of being hired by that company due to what they stand to lose if they make a mistake in who they add to their payroll.
Topics: Recruiting |