Fingerprinting | Job Applicants Say the Darndest Things Pt. 1

Fingerprinting | Time is of the essence when performing credential verifications. However, there are occasions when the flow of information is not quite as smooth as we would like. Background check delays are frustrating to employers and applicants which can cause time to seem to stand still. Many times, these delays are unavoidable, but there are times when a little help from an applicant or respondent can go a long way.

Meet the family

Applicants sometimes like to ‘delegate’ the responsibility to others for providing information necessary to complete their background check. Because of privacy issues and in order to get the most accurate information. It helps a great deal if applicants are prepared with information about their past experience and have certain relevant information on hand.

Confirmation of a degree: Grandma says. . .

A verification specialist needed additional information for a degree confirmation and contacted the applicant. When the Verification Specialist asked for the name of the school where the applicant graduated, the conversation was as follows:

Applicant: “Grandma, what was the name of that place you put me in so I could graduate?”
Grandma couldn’t remember.
Verification Specialist: “What about the graduation year?”
Applicant: “Grandma, what year did I get out of that program?”
Grandma couldn’t remember.
Applicant: “Well, I’m going to have to call you back. Grandma doesn’t know anything.”

Mom knows best. . .

A Verification Specialist needed to get an applicant’s social security number and graduation date to assist in a verification. The applicant responded, “I don’t have that information, can I have my mom call you back?

How about my uncle, aunt, cousin, Mom. . .

A Verification Specialist was having some difficulty obtaining a Professional Reference to complete an applicant’s background check. He informed the applicant that we are not permitted to take relatives as a reference. The applicant asked if his ex-wife could give a reference. After turning down that request, the applicant asked the Verification Specialist to add his brother. After a speechless moment or two the Verification Specialist explained the non-relative policy again. The applicant responded by suggesting his mother as a reference.

Honesty is the best policy

When it comes to applying for a job, it’s natural to want to paint yourself in the best light and possibly even “fluff up” your credentials a bit. However, sometimes applicant’s can take that a little too far, and a background check is going to bring that information to light. The best way to impress your future employer is to provide accurate information and to be as upfront as possible if a mistake has been made on your application.

Did I Say That?

An applicant indicated he graduated from a four year university but nothing was found so the Verification Specialist called for additional information. When asked the year of graduation, the response was, “Oh, did I say that I graduated? I did not graduate. I did not understand the online application.” When asked specifics about high school, the response was, “Oh, did I say that I graduated from high school because I didn’t.” When asked about completing a GED or other vocational program, the response was the same. To top it off the applicant inquired, “So, do you think this will affect me getting the job?”-Justifacts.com