Applying for a job, for most people, seems like a simple process. Most of them think that all they need is a good CV and some effort to leave a good impression. But for many serious workplaces, there are many important things going on behind the scenes. Before you are officially hired at a new job, there is usually a required series of checks that need to be done. They can differ based on many factors. What one workplace requires may not be needed for the other. Some workplace checks can feel like routine, and some may make you feel uncertain, which is why it is important to be educated on what to expect.
It is very important to understand that these workplace checks are needed in order to help employers confirm the information, protect the workforce, and make more responsible hiring decisions. To prevent the intimidating feeling that these checks can cause, in this article, we will explain everything a modern professional should understand!
Understanding The Importance Of Workplace Checks
For every company, the hiring process is not taken for granted. It can be a very expensive and risky procedure at the same time. If it’s not done properly, a company can experience certain damage that may take months for them to recover from. A hiring process with a negative outcome can significantly impact the workflow, resulting in many inconveniences, such as delayed projects, financial losses, employee dissatisfaction, etc.
Workplace checks are procedures done to prevent possible risks and are needed to confirm whether a certain person is who they say they are and indeed can do what they say they can do. The whole logic behind workplace testing and screening is actually the verification steps, which cover many things. It covers almost everything – from calling your references to confirming your degree, skill assessments, drug tests in safety-sensitive roles, etc.
However, not every employer uses the same methods. They can vary depending on the industry, role, and local law.
The Most Common Workplace Check – Identity Verification
Background and identity verification is one of the most common workplace checks that almost every professional is familiar with. It is a routine procedure that is permissible by law and usually done during every hiring process. During this procedure, you will be asked for your national ID, passport, or work permit. If there are no additional requirements, for example, in a situation where you are applying to work with children or vulnerable adults, this checkup procedure is usually done quickly, and professionals rarely experience any uncomfortable situations. These kinds of checks are often legal and administrative requirements that need to be followed rather than something that reflects the qualities and qualifications of the candidate.
Confirmation Of Your Reliability
Before any company hires you, they need to confirm your qualifications and your reliability. In the past, it was common for employers to contact one of the candidate’s ex-managers for a reference check. Even though that is still being done, nowadays, many hiring companies use structured questionnaires instead. These questionnaires help employers conclude whether a candidate’s qualities, strengths, and reliability align with their standards.
However, every company has a different method, and before you apply for a certain job, make sure to find trustworthy references who are aware of your qualities and your working method. Contact them and explain what role you are applying for. If a reference gets an unexpected call and is caught “off-guard”, the outcome may not be as satisfying, so make sure to prepare for your reference check appropriately.
Tests That Reveal Your Skills and Qualities
Before you get hired, most companies require certain tests to check your skills and reveal your strengths and weaknesses. These tests are required in many workplaces, as a conversation and your resume aren’t enough to make the right hiring decision.
Before you do these tests, make sure to read the instructions slowly and carefully and ask about time limits and tools before you begin. These tests are called skill assessments and pre-employment tests, and there are a few different types of them.
Skill Assessments and Pre-Employment Tests Include:
- Writing tasks, which are usually short samples or edits that will reveal your communication skills.
- Case studies, where you will be given a business scenario that will reveal how you think. The focus is not on the answer only, but on your thinking ability in general.
- Coding challenges, which are timed or take-home problems that test your ability for problem-solving.
- Personality and cognitive tests that often come in questionnaires, quizzes, and logic puzzles.
- Spreadsheet exercises, which are common in finance and admin roles.
Drug and Alcohol Screening
The rules for these types of tests may be different depending on the local laws, but these types of screening are usually done in industries where reliability needs to be guaranteed and where any form of impairment can potentially harm people. These tests are required mostly in manufacturing, transport, construction, and healthcare. Most tests use urine, saliva, or breath samples, and sometimes companies even require hair tests. Candidates are usually notified of these types of tests beforehand. They have the right to know what kind of substances are being checked and what happens if the results turn out positive. It is important to know that in most situations, a positive result does not immediately mean a job application rejection. In those situations, companies often do further confirmation tests and ask for your explanation.
Medical and Fitness Assessments
If the position that you are applying for has certain physical demands, medical and fitness assessments are usually an obligation. The company needs to make sure you are able to complete certain tasks, which may include lifting, working at heights, or operating machines. These types of assessments will confirm whether you are able to do this job safely, which is basically the same logic that is also behind drug and alcohol screening. The only difference is that medical and fitness assessments usually focus on your vision, hearing, strength, or the ability to wear certain protective equipment. It is not a checkup of your overall health, but rather a checkup focused on the specific tasks.
Criminal Records and Credit Checks
These types of workplace checks are not common but are usually required when there is a need for a more detailed check. Employment requiring interaction with children, seniors, or people with special needs may necessitate a criminal record check. The scope of these types of checks can differ depending on the country, but usually employers are only entitled to ask about convictions that are relevant to work. If these checks are necessary, they are often done immediately after the identification check, so make sure to be prepared.
Credit checks are more common in finance and certain executive roles, but they are usually heavily restricted in many places. However, if the credit checks are still required, make sure to ask how they will be reviewed and how the results will be stored.
The Importance Of Your Digital Trace
In the era of social media, once you apply for a job, it is most likely that you will be searched online. Your public account, portfolios, or personal website can significantly shape the first impression of you. That’s why, if you are considering applying for a job, it is important to double-check your social platforms and determine whether they successfully reflect your professionalism. You do not need to pay attention to every detail. It is enough to create a digital footprint that successfully reflects who you really are at work.
Before You Accept The Offer, Understand Your Rights!
- Remember that in most countries, companies need to get certain permissions before they do a background check.
- Your personal data and test results need to be properly stored and can only be seen by a few people who actually need them.
- You should be free to ask what a certain check involves, how it will be done, and how long it will take.
- If a certain workplace check leads to rejection, you have a full right to see the report.
- Asking questions is not a sign of lacking knowledge but a sign of true professionalism.
What To Do If Your Rights Are Violated?
If a certain workplace check is done without your consent or you experience any kind of discomfort, you can do a few things to protect your rights. Start by documenting everything, from emails, forms, and messages to dates and details from the calls. Then ask why a certain check is done, how it is done, and who is able to see the results. In most cases, inconvenient situations turn out to be misunderstandings, but if there is a problem indeed, a written complaint to HR is usually enough to effectively solve the problem.
Understanding what types of workplace checks exist and what they are is not something that will immediately make you a better candidate. It is something that will make you feel more comfortable during the hiring process. Understanding these checks will prevent many inconveniences and reveal the answers to questions you are entitled to ask. Once you understand the whole point behind them, you will feel more comfortable and be more confident to show off your professionalism.
