Reference Agust 23,
Check and
Backgroun
d.
2010
Universidad del Valle de México
Liliana Patricia Coral Baas
5 Semester
Human Resources Management
First Topic Research
Reference Check Definition
Definition: A reference check is when an employer contacts a job applicant’s previous
employers, schools and/or colleges to learn more about his or her job history or
educational qualifications.
Reference Check Questions
Questions Employers Ask When Conducting a Reference Check
Prior to making a job offer, a prospective employer is likely to check your references. Many
employers won't give out any more information than starting and ending dates of employment
and salary information. Others may be willing to discuss your job performance, your work ethic,
your attendance at work, your attitude and other criteria that are important to a company when
making a decision on whom to offer the job to. In addition to prior employers, the people you
have provided as references may also be contacted. Coach Your Personal References You can't
control what your ex-employer will say about you, but, you can coach your personal references to
ensure their answers match yours and to ensure that you are both on the same page when it
comes to your work history and abilities. Review these reference check question samples so you,
and your references, will know what to expect.
Sample Reference Check Questions
When did (name) work for your company? Could you confirm starting and ending employment
dates? When did s/he leave the company?
Why did (name) leave the company?
What was her/his starting and ending salary?
What was her/his position? Can you describe the job responsibilities?
Could I briefly review (name's) resume? Does the job title and job description match the position
that (name) held?
Reference Checks and Employment Verification
One of the questions asked quite often is what type of information will employers ask when they
verify my previous employment or check my references. The question often correlates to the
broader question of are they going to catch me if I fudge my dates of employment or my job title
or the salary I was earning?
What Employers Check
That it depends... It depends on how much verification the employer does during the hiring
process. Some employers will confirm, very thoroughly, every detail of your resume or application.
Others may do a cursory check or none at all. So, the problem with stretching the truth or
embellishing your resume (other than that it's lying) is that there is a chance that you'll get caught,
either now or at some point in the future. If you do get caught, you won't get the job or, if you've
already been hired, you might get fired.
Background Check: Employment
Why do employers want to check your background? It could be for one of several reasons. If
government security clearances are required for the job you are interviewing for, an
employment background check may be required.
The employer may want to make sure you are telling the truth. It's estimated that up to 40% of
resumes can contain false or tweaked information, so, employers want to insure that what they
are getting in an employee is what they were promised. The employer may perform a background
check to find out whether actually graduated from the college you said you did or to confirm that
you worked at your previous employer(s) during the time stated on your resume or your job
application.
Background Check Information
What's included in an employee background check? The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) sets the
standards for screening for employment. The FCRA defines a background check as a consumer
report. Before an employer can get a consumer report or run a credit check for employment
purposes, they must notify you in writing and get your written authorization. If the employer is
simply conducting inquiries (rather than running reports) they should also ask for your consent.
That way you could withdraw your application if there is information you would rather not see
disclosed.
If an employer decides not to hire because of this report, they must give you a pre-adverse action
disclosure that includes a copy of the report and a copy of your rights. They must then give you
notice that they have decided not to hire you and let you know the name and address of
Consumer Reporting Agency and information on your right to dispute the report.
At a minimum, a background check will verify your social security number. At most, it can include
an analysis of your work history, the people you know, along with a full credit report. It can also
include your credit payment records, driving records or criminal history. The inquiries should be
related to the job. For example, if you are hired to work in a bank, it would be reasonable to find
out if you have a history of embezzlement or theft.
Background Check Privacy
What can't be included in a background check? There is some information that cannot be
disclosed under any circumstances. School records are confidential and cannot be released
without the consent of the student. You cannot be discriminated against because you filed for
bankruptcy, however, bankruptcies are a public record, so, it is easy for employers to obtain the
information. Laws vary on checking criminal history. Some states don't allow questions about
arrests or convictions beyond a certain point in the past. Others only allow consideration of
criminal history for certain positions. Employers cannot request medical records and may not
make hiring decisions based on an applicant's disability. They may only inquire about your ability
to perform a certain job. The same holds true for Worker's Compensation. The military can
disclose your name, rank, salary, assignments and awards without your consent. Driving records
are not confidential either and can be released without consent.
Be Prepared
The best way to prepare for a background check is to be aware of the information that an
employer might find. Get a copy of your credit report. If there is erroneous information, dispute it
with the creditor. Check your motor vehicle record by requesting a copy of your record from your
state Department of Motor Vehicles. Ask your previous employers for copies of your personnel
files. Make sure you know what your references are going to say about you.
Most importantly, make sure your resume and job applications are accurate and truthful. If you lie
you might not get caught right away, but, you will probably get caught at some point. It's not
worth not getting hired, getting fired and ruining your employment history because your thought
your resume might need some enhancing!
Bibliography
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