Don't Risk It - Why accurate information is important.

With today’s increased emphasis on security and identity verification, employment background checks are a common pre-hiring practice. Prospective employers often require candidates to undergo background checks as a standard policy. Employers use checks as one way to mitigate the costly risk of a bad hiring decision. Current estimates suggest that the incidences of erroneous or inaccurate applicant information are near 40 percent.

Of course, errors may not be intentional. Sometimes updating or revising your resume can lead to inaccuracies, so check carefully. Make sure your recruiter has an accurate copy of your resume, and bring the same one with you to the interview. If you are asked to fill out the company’s employment application, you will find it a handy reference for helping you to keep titles and dates of employment consistent with your resume. 

As part of checking your background, the hiring company will confirm the information you supplied on your resume and your application, such as: places of employment, specific dates of employment, compensation, education and professional affiliations. If you are not sure of a date or your compensation at a previous position, note it on the application. List all of your employment, even if you were only with a company for a short time. 

Your written permission is required for the company to conduct the employment background screening. In addition, companies also can require you to undergo a drug screening. A company can and will rescind an offer based on discrepancies on your application or the results of drug test. If the employer decides not to employ you on the basis of the background report, they are required to provide you with a copy of the report.