What Employers Can Ask in a Background Check

What Employers Can Ask in a Background CheckWhat Employers Can Ask in a Background CheckWhat can employers ask about you when they check your background prior to offering you a job, or as a condition of employment? You may be surprised by how much employers can learn. However, there are also some things an employer definitely canelend ask you, and this varies by state as there are no federal guidelines. Also, just because a question is asked, and it is legal, does not mean your former employer has to answer it even though there is information that is publicly available that can also be checked. Read on for mora information on what employers can legally ask about you, how former employers (and other references) can answer, and how you can prepare for a background check. Why Employers Conduct Background Checks Why do employers want to know so much about you? Employers are more cautious than ever when bringing in new staff. They often conductpre-employment background checksto make s ure that there are no surprises waiting after they make a hire. Its much easier not to hire someone than it is to have to terminate them if a problem arises after they have been hired. How much information is checked depends on the employers hiring policy and the type of job for which youre being considered. Some companies dont check applicantsbackgrounds at all, while others scrutinize applicants very carefully. What Employers Want to Know In some cases, companies will simply verify basic information, such as places and dates of employment. In other cases, the company will ask for more information, which your previous employer and other sources may, or may not, disclose. Here are some of the issues that employers might inquire about when checking on your background, along with information about what is illegal in some states, and what is less commonly asked Dates of employmentEducational degrees and datesJob titleJob descriptionWhy the employee left the jobWhether the employee was terminated for causeWhether there were any issues with the employee regarding absenteeism or tardinessWhether the employee is eligible for rehireSalary (many employers will not share this information in fact, it is not legal to askin some locations)Performance issues and problems (most employers will decline to share this information for fear of lawsuits for defamation) Legal or ethical transgressions (some employers will not share this information for the same reasons mentioned above)Credit history (depending on the job)Criminal history (depending on the job)Motor vehicle records (depending on the job) How Former Employers Can Answer Keep in mind that, even if an employer asks for the background information listed above, and it is legal, the former employer does not have to answer. Many companies limit what they will disclose about former employees. Sometimes this is for fear of lawsuits for defamation. Other organizations may not release information due to internal privacy policies. In fact, many companies limit staff to simply sharing dates of employment and job titles when inquiries are made about former employees. If you have concerns about what a current or former employer might share with a future employer about you, you can be proactive. During an exit interview (if you have one), ask what the company policy is regarding information they release to employers. If you have already left the company, call menschenwrdig resources and ask. Some states have enacted limitations on what employers can say about you. Check with your state labor office for more information on what former employers can legally share with others. Third Party Background Checks In addition, when employers conduct a check of your background (credit, criminal, past employer) using a third party, thebackground checkis covered byThe Fair Credit Reporting Act(FCRA). The FCRA is a federal act that seeks to promote fair and accurate private background checks. The act shapes what employers can ask for, receive, and use when conducting a background check through a third party. The information contained in this article is not legal advice and is not a substitute for such advice. State and federal laws change frequently, and the information in this article may not reflect your own states laws or the most recent changes to the law.

6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Alumni Networking Event

6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Alumni Networking Event6 Ways to Make the Most of Your Next Alumni Networking EventTurn your next alumni event into a networking goldmine with these tips.Theres no denying the power of a valuable network. Studies show that youre 10 times more likely to land a job when your application is accompanied by an employee referral. And a survey by Alumnifire, a digital platform for alumni networks, found that 90 percent of hiring managers would prefer to hire a fellow alumnus, if given the option.Whether youre searching for a job, building a business, seeking a mentor, or simply want to advance your career, alumni networking events can be goldmines for uncovering important connections and resources.Here are six quick tips to help you make the most of these alumni events.Set a goal. Before you attend an event, ask yourself, What do I want to get out of this? Are you looking for potential clients or career advice? Give yourself a clear goal to accomplish at the get-together.Stay on brand.Remember, whether youre in or out of the workplace, youre representing your partal brand. What do you want people to think when they think of you?Step out of your comfort zone.Casual networking events at local watering holes can quickly turn into mini-reunions with the friends you already see on a regular basis. Force yourself to talk to at least three alums you dont know and would likely not interact with outside of this event. They have the most potential to expand your network the furthest.Listen more than you speak.Networking and the job search are often compared to dating, and with good reason. Like any good first date, your goal is to listen more than you speak to the person in front of you. Remember, you were born with two ears and only one mouth follow the ratio.Pay it forward.Always look for ways to provide value to the person with whom youre speaking before you start asking for favors. The more you learn about them, the easier it will be to offer assistance (and get it in return). This could be anything from a restaurant recommendation to an introduction to someone in your existing network.Follow up. It seems so simple, and yet many of us flub this critical step in the networking process. Think of each networking event as a speed dating exercise. If you get someones phone number but never call them afterwards, the evening was a waste. Similarly, the business cards you collect are only as valuable as what you choose to do with them after you get them. Reach out, follow up and start nurturing these connections to turn them into valuable and mutually beneficial relationships.

Resume Tips from Professional Resume Writers

Resume Tips from Professional Resume WritersResume Tips from Professional Resume WritersWhen it comes to creating an effective resume, even the most experienced professionals can get stumped. At ResumeSpice, we understand this and are here to help. Below are a few expert tips from our team of professional resume writers that can help, whether youre starting from scratch or polishing an existing resumeKeep it simple.You dont need to have a five-page resume to impress a hiring manager. One, two pages, and, in rare instances, three will do the trick. If youre experienced, then your resume will probably fit best on two pages. If youre on the entry level side of your career, then a one-page resume will most likely suffice. But keep in mind, hiring managers dont actually read your resume word for word at least initially. So, keep it simple, succinct, and focus on the most impactful elements of your background.Make it easy to understand.Within a few seconds of looking at your resume, a hir ing manager should be able to grasp what you do and the value you can offer. You cant do that if you have a long-winded resume with dense paragraphs and tiny print. Instead, when writing and formatting your resume, make sure you focus on ensuring everything is easy to understand. Avoid fluff and hyperbole. Utilize simple fonts andwrite inbullet points rather than flowing prose.Use a reverse chronological order.When working on your employment history, be sure to use the reverse chronological approach. This means listing your most recent place of employment, and then working backwards. Make sure to include the name of the company, your job title, and relevant accomplishments and responsibilities. Always begin bullets with action verbs.Tell a story.Hiring managers dont want to hire robots. They want real people who can get the job done. So, wherever possible, use numbers, dollar amounts, timelines, percentages and statistics to demonstrate your accomplishments. Also, if theres somethin g unique to your background such as youre an Olympic athlete or speak three languages dont forget to include it on your resume to help you stand out.When preparing your resume, also consider the following dontsDont use fancy or script font. Stick to the tried-and-true ones.Dont italicize and underline everything for emphasis. Go easy on superfluous formatting.Dont include an objective at the top of your resume. The hiring manager knows your objective is to get the job, just like every other candidate who applies.Dont use templates or table formats. Instead, use a simple Word document that any hiring manager can easily open and view.Dont include personal information, such as whether youre married or have kids. Also, skip the hobbies and personal interests, unless theres a direct connection to the job youre applying for or your hobby is truly unique (youre a 5x Ironman finisher).Need more help and tips from top Houston resume writers? Turn to the experts at ResumeSpice. Simply call u s today at 832.930.7378. We can help you put your best foot forward on your resume.