So, you’re about to begin a new job search, and you’re ticking items off your to-do list.
- You’ve set up an online account so you’ll know about new job openings.
- You’ve polished your resume — and your shoes.
- You’ve run through some possible interview questions with a friend.
Have you requested your annual credit report from www.annualcreditreport.com?
No? Well, go ahead. It only takes a few minutes, and it could help you avoid some potholes down the road. You see, some employers look into your background before deciding whether to hire you, so it’s a good idea to review your credit report for errors before your potential employers see it.
Want more practical tips like this one? You’ll find them in Background Checks: What Job Applicants and Employees Should Know, a new publication from the FTC and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that explains your legal rights when employers investigate your past.
For example, did you know employers must get your permission before getting a copy of your credit report? And if they decide not to hire you because of something in that report, they must give you a copy and tell you how to contact the company that created it. That way, you have a chance to find and correct any errors.
And here’s something else you should know: it’s illegal for an employer to have different background requirements depending on your race, national origin, color, sex, religion, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), or age (40 or older).
If you think an employer has broken the law, Background Checks: What Job Applicants and Employees Should Know includes information about how to report a problem, and who to contact for help.
