Welcome back, everyone! We hope that you had a great weekend. I spent mine in Lake Dunmore, VT – a place and state that I have never seen, and couldn’t have had a better time. If you need a reminder to soak up the fall season and enjoy the crisp outdoors, colors of trees, falling leaves, and the other special elements of this season… this is your reminder!

However, if you saw our blog last week, then we are hoping you might’ve taken advantage of one of our postings and applied to a new open job! If you are in an interview process and don’t know what to expect when it comes to reference letters or background checks, have no fear. Keep reading below to find out exactly what to expect during this piece of the process!

Background and Reference Checks…

• Communicate with your References: Throughout your career, references and complimentary letters will have a large influence on your interview and candidate success. So, make sure that you are using references that are current, that you’ve communicated with, and that are ready to verify who you are to your future employer! Whether this means a catch-up phone call, a quick text, or a formal email, giving your references a “heads up” ahead of the initiation of onboarding is a great way to prepare and stay on top of your obligations.
  • Extra Tip: If you’re looking for a reference letter, check in with professors, past managers, mentors, and other professional relations! Make sure that you are continuing to engage in these types of conversations throughout your entire career so that these relationships don’t fade. Even if you are comfortable in your role, you never know when a new opportunity may come knocking on your door, and a sturdy reference letter might be the piece that pushes you over the edge and helps you secure the role!
• Locate Your Closest Background Resource: One thing that I did not know when engaging in the onboarding process for my internship, full-time job, and other opportunities, is that there is a limited quantity of locations in which you can obtain fingerprinting and other background check elements. For that reason, prepare ahead of time by researching, asking your employer, and ultimately locating the nearest resource that you can utilize to complete your tasks! Doing so will allow you to coordinate transportation ahead of time, communicate with your employer about an appropriate deadline, and get one step closer to your first day of work.
  • Extra Tip: These ‘checks’ often look like drug tests as well as finger-printing screenings. Make sure that you are complying with company policies and in line to be able to submit these materials as soon as they are requested. If the cost of traveling to these locations and completing your tasks is impeding your ability to complete them, then chat with your interviewer or hiring manager to understand potential stipend or reimbursement opportunities.
• Stay in Touch with Your Hiring Managers: Above all, maintaining a positive relationship with your hiring manager should be a top priority. So, make sure to be aware of all deadlines, expectations, and onboarding tasks throughout the entire process. Know that there is no such thing as too much information, and follow-up emails showcase your dedication and preparation! Make sure that you’ll be in the right city when onboarding starts, that you have the correct access to facilities, and that your employer has provided you with the full picture. In no time, you’ll be starting a new venture!

Searching for a new position? Check out our open jobs list!