How to Prepare for an Employment Background Check

The employment background check can be the determining factor in deciding whether you get the job offer. Take these simple steps to ensure that you are properly prepared for any information that may come up in the pre-employment background report.

Steps

1. Order a copy of your credit report. This way you can check that the information given to a prospective employer is accurate and up-to-date. You can rectify inaccurate information by taking it up with the creditor or credit bureau.
2. Make sure your motor vehicle record is complete and accurate. Request a copy of your driving record from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. This is particularly important if driving is a job requirement.
3. Carry out your own background check. Hire a consumer reporting agency to provide a consumer report or background employment check for you. This will give you warning of any inaccurate information and of anything you may need to explain to the employer. A wide variety of online search services can be used.
4. Ensure your resume information is accurate. Research indicates that up to 40 percent of resumes received include false information.
5. Update your job reference information so that the employer can get hold of your references with no difficulty.

Tips

• Employers are increasingly conducting background screening checks on candidates. Make sure that you are prepared for your this.
• The FCRA (Fair Credit Reporting Act) describes a background check as a consumer report. The report can vary from just checking a social security number to a thorough investigation of education, work, criminal, credit, social and lifestyle history, including job references.
• The employer is required to notify the candidate in writing that they want to get a consumer report on them and the candidate must give written consent.