1. WORK READINESS
and
EMPLOYMENT
BACKGROUND CHECKS

2. WORK READINESS
• Your Skills =YourValue
• Employer Expectations
• Top Soft Skills
• Attitude Check
BACKGROUND CHECKS
• Reasons
• What’s Checked
• Being Prepared
• Correcting Data

4. Communication,
language, personal
habits, friendliness,
and optimism that
characterize
relationships with
other people.
Complement hard skills
(special training),
which are occupational
requirements of a job
and many other
activities.
Emotional expression
that helps you adapt,
change, and thrive in
your work and personal
relationships.

7. Be the first choice
people go to when they
need to get the right
answers.
Use the wordYES a lot
when answering
questions and avoid
NO at all costs.
PROACTIVE
ATTITUDE
#1TOP SOFT SKILL = PROACTIVE ATTITUDE

8. Problem Finding –
detecting the problem and
seeing a picture of it in your
head.
Problem Shaping -weighing
and organizing variables in
order to achieve possible
solutions to the problem
Have several examples of
problems you have
encountered and how you
solved them & they don’t
have to be work related.
If you’ve ever been in a tight
spot and you found a
creative solution, make sure
you tell the story.
PROBLEM SOLVER
#2TOP SOFT SKILL = PROBLEM SOLVER

9. There is no “I” in
“TEAM”.
Be friendly and work
with others without
negative comments or
actions.
Adapt to your role on the
team and work
responsibly with the
company’s limits and
conditions.
Be flexible with
changes that the
employer requires.
TEAMWORK
#3TOP SOFT SKILL =TEAMWORK ABILITY

10. Online, on the phone,
and on the page.
Remember, communication is
not just verbal: written
communication is almost as
important.
How employees communicate
can improve or reduce a
company’s image.
When talking face-to-face:
Listen.
Make eye contact.
Speak clearly.
COMMUNICATION
#4TOP SOFT SKILL = COMMUNICATION

11. Dress for Success.
Read the company’s policy
on what is acceptable
attire for work.
Show your Can-Do
Attitude with appropriate
clothing, posture, and
speaking.
There is never a second
chance to make a first
impression, so make it a
good one.
55% of another person's
perception of you is based
on how you look.
FOLLOWTHE
DRESS CODE
#5TOP SOFT SKILL = FOLLOWTHE DRESS CODE

12. THE ABILITYTOTRUST SOMEONE IS ACTUALLY
TESTED ON A PASS/FAIL BASIS.
YOU CAN’T REALLY SORT OF TRUST SOMEONE.

13. YOU MAY BE SERIOUSLY UNDERMINING
TRUST
IFYOUAPPEARTO LACK SELF-CONTROL.

14. http://noahrickun.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/top-reasons-for-getting-fired1.jpg

16. THE HIRING PROCESSCAN BE COMPLEXWITH MANY
STEPS INCLUDING A BACKGROUNDCHECK.
“When you sign that consent form, you open your past to a potential
employer. The days when employers just verified resumes and education history are
long gone. Your credit history, driving records, medical records, military records and
court records are an open book.”
The ABC’s of Pre-employment Background Checks
Amy Crane, Bankrate.com

17. WHY DO EMPLOYERS CHECKYOUR BACKGROUND?
WELL, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE MAKE IT DIFFICULT.

22. WHAT CAN MY FORMER EMPLOYER SAY?
“Indiana's Blacklisting Statute prohibits employers from
blacklisting former employees; in other words preventing former
employees from gaining new employment by words or by action.
Employers can reduce their risk of a blacklisting claim by
implementing a neutral reference policy, whereby a point person
in the company gives prospective employers only the former
employee's position held and dates of employment.”
http://www.frostbrowntodd.com/resources-1412.html
What Information EmployersTypically Share
Most employers are very cautious about sharing any information that
might be harmful to a former worker for fear of attracting a
lawsuit. Many organizations will limit their staff to providing only dates
of employment and job titles when inquiries are made about past
employees. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/applicant-faqs/fl/can-an-employer-say-you-were-fired.htm

23. IFYOUARE ASKEDANY OFTHESE QUESTIONS,
STAY CALM. POLITELY SAY SOMETHING LIKETHIS,
“I CAN ASSUREYOUTHAT _____WILL NOT AFFECT MY
ABILITYTO PERFORM THE DUTIES OFTHIS JOB.”

24. FOR SOME POSITIONS,A SECURITY CLEARANCE
CANTAKE SOMETIME.

25. HOW DO I PREPARE FOR A BACKGROUND CHECK?
If you are looking for a job, it is a good idea to spend some time
preparing for a background check. The best strategy is to review
reports on you for errors, omissions, and inaccuracies. You want to
take steps to reduce the chances of your potential employer finding
adverse information about you during the background check,
especially if it is inaccurate. Conduct your own background check.
Get a free credit report from the Big 3 credit agencies: Experian,
Equifax, and TransUnion. Each agency gives you 1 free report per year.
Obtain a free copy of your credit report https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Know your rights and get help fixing report data: http://www.privacyrights.org/

26. 1. Google for your name and see what it reveals about your digital footprint.
2. Try to clean-up any “digital dirt” on you on social networks.
3. Review information about yourself from a perspective of a potential employer.
4. Make sure to read all consents (especially the fine print) carefully before signing
them. Ask questions if something is not clear.
5. If you have an arrest record or have been involved in court cases, make sure to
check your court records.
6. Check MotorVehicle Records, especially if your job involves driving.
7. Ask to get a copy of your personnel file from your previous employer.
8. Tell your neighbors and associates that they may be contacted for an
investigative consumer report if you’re seeking aTop Secret Security Clearance.
9. Know your rights about what an employer can and cannot ask.
10. Always ask for a copy of a background check report.
EMPLOYMENT BACKGROUND CHECKLIST