Tips to Prepare Yourself For a Background Check
Posted on: February 25, 2020 by Gavin MuirheadThe background check has become a seemingly ubiquitous part of the hiring process. For employers, running a background check on potential employees is a way to ensure their company is kept safe and that no important details fall through the cracks. However, many applicants are unaware of exactly what employers can see on these checks and feel like if they had prepared more thoroughly, they might have gotten the job. If you don’t want to miss out on an important opportunity due to a failed background check, follow the steps below.
Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts
There are few things that will turn an employer off of an applicant more than having a messy, unprofessional web presence. You may be surprised to hear that your potential employer is scrolling through your Facebook posts, but recent surveys show that a majority of employers screen candidates’ social media accounts during the hiring process. So, that means you should consider deleting any public posts, photos, or profile information before that makes you look like a risky hire.
Run a Background Check on Yourself
Perhaps the most reliable and effective way to prepare yourself for a background check is to run one on yourself. This way, you will see everything that the employer sees when they are considering you for the position. When viewing the report, it may be helpful to put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoes. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Would I want to hire someone with a background like mine?
- Does my background check look like that of a future employee at this company?
- Is the information in this report accurate?
Maybe the report will relieve you of any previous worries. Conversely, some things may come up in your report that you would never have expected to see. Sometimes, candidates may even see information they feel is inaccurate. If you find inaccurate information on your background check, pay attention to the following tip.
Contact Courts to Correct Any False Information
If there is information on your background check that is incorrect, it is up to you to get the issue resolved. You would be setting yourself up for failure by knowingly letting your record indicate a fictitious past. Whether it is a serious criminal charge or something as small as a traffic violation, if you feel its presence on your background check will negatively impact your chances of getting hired, it’s in your best interest to go to the powers that be to clear it up.
Depending on the circumstances and the charges you are contesting, a phone call may be enough to clear it up. Other times, a trip to the courthouse may be necessary. It may even require you to file a petition with the court. The trouble will be worth it once your background check is accurate.
Be Able to Explain Any Questionable Results on Your Background Check
If any criminal charges appear on your background check, first check to make sure they are accurate, and then prepare for your potential employer to mention them during your interview. Have a plan for how to address any concerns that the employer may have and understand how to give a complete picture of the situation. Mistakes happen, and the person conducting your interview may turn out to be more understanding than expected once you give your side of the story. However, it is still important to be honest about your record and not fabricate a lie to make yourself look good.
How Affordable Background Checks Can Help
Here at Affordable Background Checks, we understand that getting a job can be tough when you don’t understand what your potential employer can learn about you. That’s why we offer you an inexpensive, accurate way to run a background check on any person, including yourself.
We believe that no person should be kept from obtaining a necessary background check simply because they are unable to afford it. We ensure that you get the most extensive, complete, and accurate results while still at a reasonable price.
Reports from Affordable Background Checks will uncover plenty of results from criminal records, asset records, and other personal details. You will enter your interview process feeling confident when you know what a potential employer will view.
