If you are looking for a job, you definitely are not alone. Though the economy has certainly been improving and there are more jobs out there, you can be quite certain that employers are going to keep up with background checks. Each year, the use of background checks is becoming more and more popular as employers are seeing what benefits they bring. In fact, if anything, background checks will start becoming more prominent and more focused as time goes on. Because of this, if you are looking for a job, you definitely need to prepare yourself for a background check.
<h4>Order Your Reports</h4>
One of the first things you will want to do as you start your job search is to order a copy of major reports. Some of the things you will want to look at include your credit report, your criminal records, and even your DMV report. Why are all of these things important? Because you can be certain that employers are going to be looking at these reports as well. When it comes to things like your credit report, a company may or may not, depending on where you live, use the information to make a hiring decision. Other records, however, can be used. Make sure that all of the information found on these reports is accurate. If not, get it changed as quickly as possible.
<h4>Clean Up Your Social Media Accounts</h4>
Another thing that you should be sure you should do is to clean up your <a href="http://www.workitdaily.com/find-digital-dirt-before-your-employer/">digital footprint</a>. Many employers will do an internet search on potential candidates and if they find your Spring Break 2011 pictures on your Facebook page, they may get the wrong idea about who you are as a person. You should also run a Google search on yourself to see what comes up. If there is anything negative, you can work to take the steps to rectify it before you are judged by a potential employer.
<h4>Read The Fine Print On All Applications</h4>
It is more common than not for job seekers to sign their applications without reading the fine print that often accompanies the applications. There is likely very important information in that print that you will need to read in order to know what your information will be used for. You also may be signing permission for the company in question to do something that you are not aware they are doing. Once you read the fine print, make sure that you ask any questions you may have in order to avoid confusion.
As you can see, these are just a few of the many things that you can do in order to prepare for a background check. You may also want to consider things like talking to your <a href="http://www.workitdaily.com/things-know-about-references/">references</a> in order to find out what they may say to your potential employer or even conducting a background check on yourself. You can generally do that for an inexpensive price and you will get all of the same information that an employer will get. This way, you can be fully prepared for what lies ahead when it comes to your job search.
<span class="credit">Photo Credit: <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/">Shutterstock</a></span></div>
SHOW MORE
Show less