Access Profiles, Inc.

Do you know exactly how, and more importantly why, employers verify their applicants’ degree, graduation, or other education?

This question was recently posted on a popular Q & A site and we decided to weigh in…

“How do employers check for degrees?”

“Verifying a degree / graduation is one of the easiest and most basic things checked by most employers. The best source for this information is to contact the university / school directly. Most records are held by either the Registrar department or, especially in the case of high schools, in the Guidance or Student Records department. If your only need is to verify the degree, and not a person’s full academic record, it is sometimes possible to verify that verbally. There are times when the information needs to be faxed or mailed and they will then require a nominal fee. 

However, if more in depth information is needed, or the institution has contracted with an outside verification service, you will have to follow that service’s steps in order to get the information you need. Oftentimes these services will require a fee to access the information and sometimes a signed release from the subject of the search is also needed (which you should always obtain before any background check anyway). No matter the method, verifying any degree, graduation, or professional certificate claimed by an applicant is key to making a sound hiring decision. Not only will it help assess their training, knowledge, and qualifications, it will also go a long way towards verifying an applicant’s honesty ~ and that is a goal of any good background check.”

You can find more answers to this question here!

Verifying an applicant’s education is a great first step in evaluating any prospective employee ~ and a good employer understands this.

Hiring someone who lies about their education or training can pose numerous problems for any business. 

It can lead to having an employee who is unqualified for the job. Or, if and when that lie is discovered, it can tarnish a company’s reputation with their clients, customers, and other businesses. 

Doing a simple Education verification check solves these problems.

“Education is one of the most frequently embellished ~ face it, lied about ~ items on a resume. The lie can range from the type of degree earned to whether a degree was even earned at all.

And if having a degree, especially a specific degree, is necessary to the job you are hiring for, then making sure your applicant indeed fills that requirement is good business.

For some jobs, having a degree may not be necessary. In that case companies are more concerned that their applicants have at least earned their high school diplomas or a GED.

Either way, it is important that you take the time to verify that the education listed by your applicant is true.

It should be the first step in making sure they have the training your position needs”.

Find out more about why businesses need to verify an applicant’s education and what they will find in “Hiring? Why You need to verify their Degree First”!

It is clear that doing an education verification before making any new hire is in a company’s best interests. But it is equally as important for anyone looking for a job to realize that any resume lie can, and often will, come back to haunt them.

Those lies can not only keep you from getting hired in the first place, but when discovered, can lead to getting fired and ruining your reputation.

Anyone looking for a job needs to be aware that Background Checks are the norm, not the exception.

“Be assured, employers are checking. Verifying the information on your resume is common practice and part of most company’s hiring processes. Investigating your education, past employments, and skills top the list. 

It is time to take note ~when your resume lies are uncovered during the hiring process, you lose.  

And, if discovered later, you could face not only the embarrassment of getting fired, but also the possibility of public humiliation”.

When it comes to Resume Lies that will keep you from getting hired or can result in you being fired, “lying about your degree or skills tops the list”. 

Employers fear hiring someone who is unable or unsafe to do the job. That is why it is important that at least the basic skills and training you list are truthful.

Lying on your resume is seen as a mark against your honesty. 

Employers want to hire someone they can trust. If their first impression of you is one of deception, then your chances of getting hired are slim

Discover more about the dangers of lying on your resume in “Employers Share ~ Lie on your Resume and You Lose!".

So, whether you are an employer looking to make a new hire or an applicant hoping to land the perfect new job, checking an applicant’s qualifications first should always be part of the process. Preparing for this important step long beforehand is the key.

Are you ready or do you have any questions? Contact API Today, we are here to help!

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Can You Pay someone to act as Your Reference?

Job seekers are often worried about what a past employer will say about them. Maybe they left on bad terms? Or maybe they simply didn’t get along with their supervisors, co-workers, or were simply not up to doing the job?

Whatever the case may be, people in this position may consider using friends as employment references or, at the most extreme, even hiring someone to pose as their reference.

In fact, this exact scenario was posed on quora.com, and when we saw it we had to weigh in!

The question……."Is there any site where I can pay people to act as my references for my history because I wasn't on great terms with former employers?".

Here is our answer……
"Even if there is such a site, don’t do it! Hiring someone to pretend to be your reference is fraud. And most likely, at some point you will be found out. Instead, be completely up front with potential employers. Explain the situation, all while emphasizing the positive skills and attributes you can bring to the job. You should also look for people who can actually speak positively about you. It may be someone you interned with, a professor, etc. Even co-workers that you worked on projects with can help you. What we are most concerned about however, is the fact that you are even considering this course of action. All that does is start your employer / employee relationship on a dishonest note. So please abandon this course and move forward with the other remedies we listed. Good luck!".

You will find additional answers to this question here!

While presenting yourself in the best possible light is naturally your goal, achieving that goal should never involve lying. Not only is it wrong, but you run the risk of being found out. That is especially true during the employment background check!

“Be assured, employers are checking. Verifying the information on your resume is common practice and part of most company’s hiring processes. Investigating your education, past employments, and skills top the list. It is time to take note ~ When your resume lies are uncovered during the hiring process, you lose. And if discovered later, you could face not only the embarrassment of getting fired, but also the possibility of public humiliation. excerpt from “Employer’s Share ~ Lie on your Resume and You Lose!”.

Be Honest on your Resume and References

Take the time before you apply for any job to make sure both are completely truthful and highlight your real accomplishments and goals. Tailoring your skills to fit the job you want is also important.

When it comes to your resume, you should….. 

• Never lie! Be as accurate as possible about everything listed
• Never cite a degree or certification you haven’t earned 
• Make sure all past employment contact information is current and complete
• Know in advance what past employers will say about you 
• Be ready to mitigate any employment “gaps” 
• Do a background check on yourself first

Learn more about how these steps will ensure that your resume is accurate and will not raise any “red flags” or uncover unwelcome surprises in “Tips to Help You Get your Resume ‘Background Check’ Ready!”.

“Do you know what your references will say about you? Don’t fall prey to one of the biggest mistakes a job seeker can make ~ listing your former employers, supervisors, or professors as references without asking them first!.

This common courtesy can greatly increase your chances of getting the kind of recommendation you need to land the job!

Your references will have had the opportunity to gather their thoughts beforehand and will not be caught off guard ~ giving you the best chance of your references working for you instead of against you.

When references are contacted unaware, they often stumble. Dates and titles elude them. Specific projects you may have worked on or tasks you lead are unmentioned. This can lead to an unimpressive reference report”.

Discover the 7 tips that will help you get the most out of your references in “Your References ~ Be Smart, Ask First”!






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"A good background check will uncover your entire work history ~ even jobs you didn’t include in your resume or application. The typical time span covered by most employment background checks is 7 - 10 years, so any positions you held during that time are likely to be found. Not including every job you ever had may not necessarily be held against you. Many applicants are now tailoring their resumes to highlight those jobs that relate to the position to which they are applying. This helps showcase your relevant skills. 

However, if you are eliminating jobs because you fear that what will be found could keep you from getting hired, then that is another story. Best practice is to highlight the jobs that are relevant to the position first, then make a bullet type list of any others. Then, during the interview, be forthcoming about any issues at these past employments that may put you in a bad light. Being proactive and upfront in this situation will help your potential new employers see you in a good light. 

That is why I recommend that before you ever even apply for a job, you find out exactly what former employers will reveal about you first! A good background check company can help you. This way you will be completely prepared long before you are put on the spot by something found during your background check! Good luck!".




Job seekers often wonder what an employment background check will find. And while it certainly depends on the scope of the check requested, it is always best for anyone applying for a job to expect it will find it all!



So, instead of thinking, or even hoping, that a prior job won’t be found, it is best to expect it will be. That is why being truthful on your resume or application is your best strategy!

Start by creating an honest list of your past jobs at least for the past 10 years, or longer if relevant. Contact each of these former employers and verify what information they will release to prospective employers asking for verifications. Is it limited to job title and dates of employment? Will they verify your reason for leaving or comment on work performance?

Take careful note of their answers. Then, based on that information, make any necessary corrections to your resume.

Keep in mind that when it comes to employment verifications, most potential employers are looking for ~ the types of jobs you have held, how long you were in a position, whether you progressed within the company, and your reason for leaving. In addition, they are interested in any projects you worked on or spear-headed while there.



I have seen applicants rejected simply because the job title listed on their resume did not match that supplied by the past employer.  Don’t let this happen to you!

Discover more tips “to Help You Get Your Resume Background Check Ready” here!




In addition to your employment history, best practice is to check for the following:

Criminal Records
Check in any place you have lived and/or worked in at least the last 7 to 10 years. While you should certainly know whether you have a criminal history, there is the possibility one may be found. You may have a forgotten charge or you may even have a criminal case erroneously linked to you.

Education
Verify the diploma, degree, or certificate you claim with your high school, college, university, etc.. Make sure they the information they release matches what you claim. Order official transcripts if necessary. The key here is to discover what they will give to any potential employer. And take note, if you have any outstanding school fees, pay them now. Many institutions will not release graduation information if they are unpaid!

Driving History
This is especially important if the job for which you are applying requires driving as part of the job description or you may be entitled to a company car.

Social Media Search
Find out what is “out there” before a potential employer does. Look at your social profiles on sites like LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, or any other social media sites you may use. See what they will see. Does it project the image you want? Make any changes necessary to make them show you in a good light.

Discover more tips to help in “Why You Should Run a Background Check on Yourself”!






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This is the one big question that drove us to start our blog, and one that continues to stymy many business owners! 

Back in 2012, when we were just getting started with the whole social media marketing thing, we found that so many companies were confused and unsure about background checks. They really didn't understand how using them to help make hiring decisions was good for them and their business.

Many cited money reasons ~ after all, they were looking at spending their hard earned funds on someone that they may not even end up hiring. Others didn't think that the information they could find during an employment screening would really be of any value.

Then there were these 3 big questions ~ 

1. Why should I use background checks to hire? 
2. How can I choose a quality background check company? 
3. What can do with the information in the background check report to help me hire?

This confusion prompted us to write a 3 part series of articles designed to answer these questions and help alleviate the confusion ~ a lofty undertaking if we do say so ourselves!

• Determine Your Applicant's honesty
• Create a Safer Workplace
• Protect Company Assets
• Keep Compliant
• Increase Your Protection from Lawsuits 

Discover more about the "why" of background checks in "5 Reasons Why You Need to Use Employment Background Checks".



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Created by Kim Kline, API

Last year I wrote about a wide range of subjects, but all were focused on you and your small business.




Reader’s Choice ~ 2016’s Top Read Small Biz Articles!  “Tweet This” 



There is no wonder then that most of my top articles center around hiring and background checks.  Those two topics effect anyone who owns a small business and is thinking about taking on even one employee.



Of those articles, “Your 2016 Small Business Hiring Checklist ~ What You Need to Do Now” got the most traction.


Here I shared 8 tips that covered everything from developing a hiring strategy and attracting top talent, to how to hire a good screening company.  And these tips are just as relevant in 2017!   




My next top article looked a little more at employment background checks.


When it comes to these checks, employers can realize their value but still be making some costly mistakes.  Not following legal guidelines or not using employment screenings to their full potential top the list.   



To help, I shared the Top 5 Background Check mistakes you may be making, and what you can do to get on the right track.  Find them in “5 Background Check Mistakes You Need to Stop Making Now”!




Another top hiring article was “Why You Should Check Employments on all Your New Hires”.


When people hear the phrase “background check”,  they most often think of the criminal check first.  However, there are other parts of a good screening that are just as important!


In this article, I shared the valuable information that can be gained from checking with the companies where your applicant has already worked.


The key is to know HOW to Ask the Right Questions!  Find out more here!








In the first, I shared what information you, as an employer, should make sure your applicants know.


Being open and up front about the entire hiring and background check process helps relieve your applicant’s stress and start off your employer / employee relationship on the right foot!


Find out more in “Ready to Hire?  What Your Applicant Needs to Know!”.




The second concerns resume lies ~ one of the top reasons employers use background checks during the hiring process in the first place.  It is also a reason for not hiring an applicant if one is found!

In “Employers Share ~ Lie on Your Resume and You Lose”, I list the top 5 resume lies that will keep someone from getting hired and what a smart job seeker will do instead!




In the last of these 3 articles, “How Companies are Really Using Social Media to Hire”, I focused on what employers are looking for and why when they check out their applicants online!


What surprised many was that employers are really checking online to confirm that their top pick is really the right person for the job!  That includes verifying job qualifications and whether their applicant is projecting a professional online image.

Created by Kim Kline, API

In another of my most read articles, “What Storm Jonas can Teach You about Cooperation, Good People, and Small Business!”, I discussed why it is important for small business owners to act as a “community” to help each other succeed. 


“By joining with other small businesses, we can pool our resources, our knowledge, and our experiences to create a powerful community.  We need to see ourselves as partners working toward a common goal.”


And keeping our sense of humor along the way doesn’t hurt either!




Despite the importance of helping others, there are times when it becomes “more than just lending a helping hand”.  This is when we need to remember to take care of ourselves and recognize the value of our time and knowledge.


That is why I believe that “Are You Paying it Forward or Just not Getting Paid?” resonated with so many.  In this article I shared 3 steps to help you “Pay it Forward” without being made to feel that you are being taken advantage of. 





My top most popular article was all about blogging for your small business!  In “Do You Want to Know the Best Blogging advice I Ever Got?” I shared the tips that have truly spoken to me and helped me to transform my own blog.


The key has been to really find my “voice” and make sure my blog is a good reflection of my brand!





My final Top Read Article of 2016 also dealt with blogging.  In “Are You Afraid of Starting Your Small Business Blog?”, I took a look at the fears that keep so many of you from starting a blog about your own small business.  I also share why blogging has been so great for my company and some easy steps so you can get started too!









I hope to continue sharing topics and insights that will help you with your Small Business.  If you have anything you would like me to cover in the coming year, let me know!  I want 2017 to be great for Small Business. 


Are You with Me?


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And this percentage only reflects the lies that have been discovered. It says nothing about the ones that have gone unnoticed.

As landing a job becomes more and more competitive, some job seekers might believe that lying on their resume is worth the risk.

• an error (from school or verifying institution), 
• any unpaid school fees (library fees, unpaid balances, etc.) 
• or, the worst case scenario, that your applicant lied on their resume.

• Notify your applicant of the negative results
• Give Your Applicant a chance to explain or dispute the results

Contact API for a Free Consultation!

  
We have also suggested that if looking for a job, you would do well to make sure your resume is “background check ready”. This not only puts you in a good light with a future employer, but makes the entire process much easier. You can find tips to help you do this here.

The simple truth is, people do lie on their resumes. And the goal of any good background check is to uncover those lies and allow you to go into the hiring process as informed as possible.

Discover How Background Checks can Help You!

But while we have mentioned the financial strain that results from making a bad hire before, especially on a small business, this number really opened our eyes!