Doing a Background Check on Yourself
Posted August 31st, 2015
There is a lot to do when preparing for an interview. You need to do a good deal of research on the company. You need to decide how you will answer questions about your work history and why you are the best person for the job, and then practice those answers.
But there is one other important thing that you need to do when preparing for an interview, something that most job seekers overlook – run a background check on yourself.
Background checks have become commonplace among companies today. Companies generally hire other firms who specialize in background checks to handle this task. But you may be wondering why you should do it yourself before going to the interview. There are a number of reasons.
1. To check for errors.
Your background may be unblemished, without a trace of anything illegal. But there is always the possibility of error. The police could have made a mistake, or the background check company might make a mistake as well, and something that doesn’t belong shows up on your record. You want to find out about something that shouldn’t be there before the company does.
People might assume that there is a central location where all of this information is stored, and so retrieving it is a simple process, but that is not the case. There are different agencies, both governmental and nongovernmental, that store criminal records and credit records. And, unfortunately, people find errors all too commonplace, especially on credit records.
2. To prevent your job search from going off the rails.
It is true that if an employer does find something in a background check that could jeopardize your employment, they are required to notify you about it and allow you the opportunity to explain it. But, while you are going through this process, the company is continuing its hiring process with other job candidates. By the time you get the issue resolved, the company may have already hired someone else.
If you know in advance what the employer will see, you may be able to take some preemptive measures during the interview.
3. You get an edge on other job candidates
If other job candidates have not checked their records, which they are unlikely to do, it gives you an advantage in this area.
If you are looking for employment in a technology-related field in the San Francisco Bay area, Bayside Solutions has the knowledge, experience and connections to find the right job for you. We specialize in technology careers, and have an impressive track record of placing people. Give Bayside Solutions a call today.
