Education and Job Background Check

If you think you will get away with lying on a resume or job interview, think again. A rising number Rosetta Stone V3 of employers conduct thorough investigations of the background and education of job applicants. Sunny Bates Associates, an executive recruitment firm in New York, says that 40 percent of resumes contain untruthful information. PurposePerforming an education and job background check protects an employer's assets and reputation. Negligent hiring lawsuits result from hiring an unqualified or unsavory employee who lied about his experience or background during the hiring process. Job applicants lie about degrees they have obtained, the dates they obtained them, previous salaries and job titles, work achievements and criminal history. Some jobs, such as those involving children, require a criminal background. An employer can analyze your credit-worthiness, Rosetta Stone Spanish Spain character, reputation, personal characteristics and mode of living during a background check.Who Performs ItEmployers conduct their own work experience and education checks or hire a screening firm, private investigator or online data broker to perform the checks. The National Association of Professional Background Screeners provides a directory of approved screeners. The website for the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse advises employers to beware of companies on the Internet claiming that they can find everything about anyone; they don't necessarily comply with federal and state laws.What's IncludedEmployers can contact your previous employers. Although your former employer can say anything truthful about your employment, most avoid slander lawsuits by refraining from saying anything except your dates of employment, final salary and limited general information. Federal law says an educational institution can reveal the dates of attendance, degrees you earned and what activities you participated in unless you give written notice otherwise. They can't release educational transcripts, recommendations, discipline records and financial information. Employers can consult character references, Rosetta Stone Spanish V3 interview neighbors, check state licensing records and conduct a drug test.ExceptionsThe Fair Credit Reporting Act prohibits reports of most negative credit information that is more than seven years old and bankruptcies more than 10 years old. In most cases, military service records and medical records are off limits. An employer can't use an arrest record unless it resulted in a conviction or if a trial is still pending. Only certain employers can request a copy of your "rap sheet" from the FBI Criminal Justice division. They include jobs working with children and the elderly. If you file for workers' compensation, an employer cannot hold it against you unless an injury renders you unable to fulfill certain duties directly related to that position.ConsiderationsFCRA (FCRA) restrictions don't apply if you seek a job that pays more than $75,000 annually. If the employer conducts its own background check instead of hiring an outside party, it does not have to abide by the FCRA. An employer must notify you [ Rosetta Stone Software ] if it intends to perform a background check. Some state laws stipulate that it get your signature on a consent form. Unfortunately, a sly employer can dishonestly get around these laws simply by saying it hired a more qualified individual for the position.