5 KEY Things HR Managers Look For When Doing a Background Check

5 KEY Things HR Managers Look For When Doing a Background Check

By Elizabeth Benu,

You have probably sent your CV to compliment your cover letter, but if your employer carefully analyzed it would they hire you? What do your past job mistakes, character and work performance say to your next employer? What are the things you need to know about a background check?

Speaking to Ms. Zahra Kibui, HR and Admin Coordinator at Sleek Solutions, she says that a background check looks at a candidate’s personal and professional information.

“When it comes to personal details, an employer looks at the credibility and integrity of the candidate. A professional background check looks at the level of competence, skills, previous employments, performance indicators and efficiency of the candidate at previous employment,” explains Ms. Kibui.

She also adds that the referee will show how you deal with fellow colleagues in previous employments.

“The education background shows the expertise, skills or training that one has, telling apart the academic side from work experience. It also shows the levels of education one has reached and the schools they went to,” she says.

Ms. Kibui states that, “Some schools may be shady and employers want to confirm whether someone from schools that are not credible is qualified enough. On the same note some candidates have fake certificates and an employer would love to confirm the legitimacy and authenticity of academic certificates.”

She is quick to add that on the professional level an employer also wants to confirm the qualifications; for example CPA qualification.

Now that you know what a background check entails, what mistakes can disqualify you for a position?

“If you have committed a criminal offence it will deny you the job. For this reason a large number of companies require a certificate of good conduct from the Department of Criminal Investigations. Nobody wants an employee with a criminal record,” affirms Ms. Kibui.

“Secondly, how did you exit your previous employment? If you left because of stealing company property, your next employer does not want one who fails in character and integrity,” explains Ms. Kibui

“Lastly is consistency which looks at how long you stayed in your previous employment. A potential employer wants to know why you stayed for a short while in a company. If you lack consistency and say you stayed for two months in a company no employer would wish to work with you,” she adds.

And what advice does Ms. Kibui have for young job seekers?

“One important thing is to try and be as truthful as possible. Have a right CV and ensure it is credible enough to the employer. It is understandable that many want to make their CVs pretty but lying is not the way to go. For example do not say ‘coming up with project proposals’ in your CV yet and all you did was type the proposals. Be candid,” she concludes.

Now that you know, would your background check be positive?

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