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Job hunting can be particularly stressful. You sweat over every last detail of your CV and spend hours deciding what to wear for interviews. However, many job-seekers forget about the various checks that employers can and do carry out. Here’s a quick check-list:
- Credit record – This is particularly important if you are applying for a job in the financial services industry. If you cannot manage your own finances, then you are unlikely to be able to manage a client’s money responsibly. Make sure that you maintain a good credit record and check it at least once a year to ensure that all the information is correct and up-to-date.
- Criminal record – That graffiti incident when you were 16 might just come back to haunt you when you least expect it. If you have a criminal record, for whatever reason, be upfront about it. Don’t let your employer find out from another source. Failing to disclose it will convince any potential employer that you are not trustworthy.
- Employer references – Your references’ contact details may have changed since you last updated your CV. Make sure that your CV is updated with their current job description if it is different to the position in which they worked with you. You should also take the time to notify your references that you are job-hunting so that they are not caught off-guard by a potential employer.
- Academic qualifications – This is one of the first things an employer will check, for the simple reason that so many people today claim academic qualifications they didn’t earn. Don’t claim to have a BTech degree if you dropped out of college. You risk being caught out as a liar or landing a job that you have no clue how to do!
- Social media – The bane of the current decade. If you are on social media, be aware that potential employers scan Facebook and Twitter to gauge your personality. Don’t rant or give in to the impulse to air your private views on volatile topics. If you must share your personal opinions, make sure that your profile is secure and that your privacy settings are at the maximum. Another thing to watch out for is bad-mouthing former employers. This shows immaturity and is not likely to gain you any favours with a new employer.
Applying for jobs is about much more than a CV and how you dress. Take the time to ensure that you present the best package both in person and on paper and convince your employer that you are the best candidate.
