When applying for a graduate position, employers may require background checks to be conducted on graduate applicants. These checks aim to assess your criminal history, and verify any previous employment against education and references. While not everyone has to undergo a background check, graduates applying for roles within certain companies or industries will require verification of their credentials. This article will provide critical information on what a background check is, what employers are looking for, and how to prepare for one.
What is a Background Check?
A background check is a process that is used by an employer to verify your identity, and check your criminal record, education qualifications, employment history, and other relevant activity that might influence your suitability for the position that you are applying for. Certain companies or industries will require background checks for their employees if they are responsible for handling sensitive information.
Why do Employers Conduct Background Checks?
Employers may choose to conduct background checks for a variety of reasons. This will depend on the type of job that you are applying for and its requirements. For example, an employer may require graduates applying for a teaching role to undergo a background check to ensure that they do not have an adverse criminal history and have the necessary checks to work with children. Here is a list of information that an employer may be seeking from a background check:
Criminal Record
The background check will inform the employer on your criminal record, which includes information on previous convictions where you have been found guilty or have pleaded guilty.
Criminal History
Criminal history differs from a criminal record as it informs on your previous court appearances that did not result in a guilty conviction. This includes arrests.
Driving History
Driving history provides information about traffic violations, fines, accident reports, and other incidents.
Education History
Education history includes information about your tertiary education to ensure that you are qualified for the position you are applying for.
Digital Footprint
Your digital footprint includes information about your social media presence to determine whether you have the capacity to represent the company positively.
Credit History
Credit history is information about your financial situation, including any struggles or personal debt you may have. This information may be relevant to an employer to determine whether the integrity of the candidate may be susceptible to compromise.
Employment History
Your employment history is information about your previous roles and employers. This information is used to check that you have the necessary experience and skills to fulfil the obligations of the role.
Working Rights
Working rights is information that confirms whether you have the rights to work in the country, either through citizenship or a valid visa.
How Long Does a Background Check Take?
It may be stressful waiting for a background check to process, even if you do not have a reason to be! The time that it takes for a company to conduct a background check can vary. This will depend on the type of information that the employer is looking for. A background check will take up to several days or weeks. It is worthwhile asking the hiring manager or recruiter for insight into the process so that you can be prepared for what to expect.
How Can I Prepare for A Background Check?
Graduates should prepare for the possibility of a background check in advance, especially if they are applying for a role at a high-profile company or industry, such as banking and finance, teaching, healthcare, or public service. The amount of preparation for a background check will depend on your personal circumstances. Here are some steps to follow to sufficiently prepare for a background check:
Keep Records
You should keep accurate records of your qualifications. This includes academic transcripts, certificates, pay slips, employment contracts, and other relevant documents that can prove your education and employment histories. Keeping accurate records also allows you to have readily available information that you can easily access and relay to potential employers.
Get a Heads Up
If you are unsure about what an employer may find, you can always request information from relevant services and sources. You may choose to ask your bank for a credit score, get a copy of your driving record from the government department, and request a copy of your criminal record from the local police station. You can also simply try searching yourself online to see what comes up. This can inform you on what the employer is likely to see and give you a heads up if there is anything that you can clean up.
Clean Up Your Digital Footprint
A new challenge that both graduates and recruiters now face in the digital age is social media presence. Nowadays, employers will check a graduate’s social media as it can provide a wealth of information about a candidate that is typically not represented on a resume or during an interview. It is therefore important that you ensure that any accounts that you have are private and only visible to close friends and family. For instance, if you are applying for a Graduate Lawyer position at a high-end firm, a public social media account with personal photos may reflect poorly on the company. The employer may therefore be less likely to hire you. If you do have a public social media account for marketing or networking purposes, then it is important that the content is curated so that any potential employers do not question your suitability. You can accomplish this by using a professional headshot as your profile picture, keeping personal photos for a private account that is open only to close family and friends, and being mindful of what you share, say, or post online.
Maintain Honesty
If there is something in your background check that an employer may find concerning, it is worthwhile discussing it with the hiring manager. This can give them a heads up and avoid leaving an impression that you were intentionally concealing something. Prior disclosure will also make you come across as honest and transparent, which employers will value.
Notify References
Notify your references beforehand that you have applied for a role and that they may be contacted. This is important as it can allow your references to prepare a response in advance based on the type of role you are applying for and the company that it is with. This will also ensure that your references respond promptly to the employer when they are contacted.