When an employer narrows down the number of applicants for a job, they often vet those candidates who are still in the running. This involves investigating potential hires’ backgrounds and qualifications before allowing them to move to the next step in the hiring process.
What Vetting Involves
Checking references and confirming resume information is standard practice for hiring managers. Vetting takes this a step further – delving even deeper into your background as a candidate. Before vetting can begin, a company must allow you to sign a consent form giving them permission to investigate your background.
- Vetting usually begins after you have gone through an initial set of interviews. It may include a prospective employer checking your credit references, verifying your professional licenses and certifications, tracking your employment history or looking for any prior convictions or jail time. Sometimes, these checks are done by professional investigative agencies.
When vetting candidates, companies may check your:
- Resume and cover letter: Of course, these are the first things they review when considering you for employment, but an employer may put your resume and cover letter under a more scrutinized microscope. They will look for inconsistencies, spelling errors, formatting or grammar mistakes. Any of these shortfalls may be perceived as a lack of integrity, interest or attention to detail on your part.
- Social media profiles: For starters, a company will check to see whether you show up in a search at all. Being invisible on social media can be just as damaging as having a negative online presence.
- References: When a recruiting manager follows up with your references, they look for answers to two questions: “Has this candidate been honest in what they’ve said on their resume and in their interviews?” and “What do the people who used to work with this person think of them?” Employers will contact your former employers and educational institutions to verify information you’ve provided.
Blind Reference Checks
You may think that the professional references you provide are helpful in landing your dream job – and they are. But, the most discerning employers also do blind reference checks, using their own networks for objective, first-hand feedback.
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