Why do prospective employers need to check out the backgrounds of people that they may be thinking of employing for Jobs in Stratford upon Avon of for instance anywhere in the UK.

Employers have a number of reasons why they need to do background checks on prospective job candidates the main reason is that he or she really needs to know if you are telling, the truth and they need to make sure of this.

Did you know that an estimated 40% of CVs or resumes submitted to prospective employers are tweaked as to say to contain false information to make the job candidate in the eyes of the employer look even more impressive?

A prospective employer will carry out background checks to make sure you actually graduated from university or college plus check your previous work history and make sure you actually worked at the places you have listed on your CV or resume.

So as a Job candidate looking for that ideal job in Stratford upon Avon what information can be released during a background check and what information cannot employers delve into. Here is the information that cannot be disclosed during a background check and is considered to be private and cannot be released without your permission.

School reports and records: All school records and reports when you attended primary and secondary school cannot be released without the consent of the student.

Bankruptcy Checks: Employers initially cannot or are not suppose to discriminate against Job seekers who have had a bankruptcy filed against them. But because if you have been made bankrupt these are normally on public record so employers can easily find out if you have been made bankrupt in the past.

Credit Checks and reports: Employers can with the permission of the job seeker check your credit history as some employers make this part of the job application.

Before a company can run such credit checks for employment purposes they must notify the job seeker in writing and obtain your written authorization

Criminal Records: Criminal Record Checks depend on what type of job you are applying for not all employers carry out checks to see whether you have any convictions in the past or you may have appeared in court for minor offences

As an example if you are applying for a job as a Enviromental or security guard you can be assured that a Criminal record check will surely be carried out.

Medical Records and any Disabilities: Companies or employers cannot request private medical records and therefore cannot make decisions on whether to hire a prospective job seeker based on a applicants disability. However, employers can determine and make enquiries into whether you are fit and able to perform the job taking into consideration any disabilities you may have (Disability Discrimination Act DDA)

These are normally carried out by the Companies own doctor at the company medical. How intense this medical might be depends on the job position you are applying for. For example if you are applying for a job in the Manufacturing Industry where you may have to stand and work on a moving track for hours the employer needs to know if your are physically fit and capable enough to do this day in day out.

What Prospective employers can check?

When a prospective employer conducts a background check he or she can check your credit history and criminal records (depends on job type) and respectively your work history as well. They may even try to check out your driving record with such things as if you have any driving offences or points on your driving licence.

As a job seeker you will have to fill in a application form so you will have a good idea what the employer is looking for remember when you have signed the application form you are in effect giving the company permission to check your particular background.

Remember that if you are untruthful on your application it can cost you your job and possibly disqualify you from future employment. In addition to lying on your application your employment could be ended in the future because the employer will have to dismiss you not on what was found on your application but because you gave out false information when you initially applied.

Therefore, what would be the best action to take before filling in that all important job application?

Credit Report: obtain a copy of your credit report and check it out and try to make it the best it can be by cleaning up any issues on the report.

When filling in a application form go through every section carefully and read what it says on the application form. Only fill in the information it requests and only disclose the information to that effect and read the small print before signing the application.

At the end of the day be honest with your prospective employer if you have any issues about criminal records or credit checks be upfront with these with your prospective employer. Explain the circumstances to your employer he or she will find that because you have been honest with them will put you in a better position for that job.