Do you feel like you are being processed and packaged in a world of ‘human management systems’; poked and prodded at every time you apply for a new job? You may have the most charming personality and perfect work history on the planet, but no longer are the days when deals were made on a handshake. You’re not competing with the next person in line for an interview any more, rather, in many cases, you are being judged by the technology that assesses which job candidates reign supreme.
Employers are reaching out to ‘talent management’ technology at an alarming rate, not only to acquire the best workforce, but also to reduce the risks of embezzlement, terrorism, and workplace violence. This is serious business.
Your game now is only won if you pass all the elements of ‘applicant processing.’ Even then, you must watch your behavior. Your boss may find your MySpace web page where your friends posted crude photos of you at frat parties, or the story about the rebel boyfriend you had in high school that is now in jail for running over his neighbor’s lawn on his way home from the Easy Breezy Cocktail Lounge.
The truth be known, your private life is no longer your own. Employers have the ability to find out if you skipped out on that magazine subscription payment because you wanted to buy those new shoes you wore at the interview. Whatever the case, you may never have the opportunity to explain why you made choices some employers would consider irresponsible. All you know is that you signed that form allowing that employer to look into every avenue of your past and present…then that rejection letter came in the mail.
How do we survive in this new world of techno-cyber hiring? Firstly, we all need to be more prepared before stepping out into the job market today. Knowing what is in your background check is the first step to covering your tracks! As the talent screening technology is there for employers, it is also there for the job seeker. If you think you have a perfect background check, make sure no one has stolen your identity and robbed a bank in another state. Secondly, don’t expose your self in social networks and blogs that may be unappealing to your company because, even if you get the job, you could be packing up your desk sooner than you thought.
Most people have made mistakes and some have had bad luck and hardships. Most human resource professionals are keenly aware of this. Know what they are going to find before they do. Be honest and professional when disclosing anything an employer would find adverse to your profile.
As for your charming personality…well, perhaps that will overshadow any skeletons you have lurking in the closet. And, hopefully, your interviewer is sympathetic about your past, or finds your quirky mistakes nearly as amusing as you do.
MyBackgroundCheck.com is an applicant/consumer supplied web portal and an affiliate of the Pre-employ.com Family of Companies. Pre-employ.com was a pioneer in web-based screening technology and is now a leading HR solutions firm. The company’s mission is to empower and protect employers, applicants, employees, and consumers. As a consumer privacy rights advocate, Pre-employ.com does not compile or sell applicant or client data and remains a top service provider to the Fortune® 1000.
About the Author: Desiree Bryant is the Media Relations Advisor for the Pre-employ.com Family of Companies. dbryant@pre-employ.com 1-800-300-1821 x 255.
