Everybody has a “dream job” when they’re first starting their career, although many don’t want to reveal what it is. Either the job is unrealistic given their education and experience, or they’re simply embarrassed by what their definition of a dream job is.
But there are actually many different jobs that could be classified by others as “dream jobs”, and they actually pay good money.
Looking at the job titles, you probably wouldn’t think that they really exist – but the truth is that they do. For example, how would you like to be a professional cuddler? Or a bed warmer, or a penguinologist? How about a tea taster, or a fortune cookie writer, or a waterslide tester? You could also be an ice cream taster, or a videogame tester, or a blimp pilot. This list could go on and on, but you get the idea. These are all real jobs – and the salaries would surprise you.
By the way, a penguinologist is exactly what it sounds like – you study all things related to penguins. But you might have to work in freezing conditions. While most of these jobs wouldn’t require an employment background check, most jobs do. But according to a recent article posted by OneRep, there is no need to get nervous and begin worrying, as an employment background check doesn’t have to be a dream job killer – if you know what to expect and if you’re properly prepared.
What is An Employment Background Check?
When you apply for a job, you submit a resume or a summary of your experience and your education, showing your prospective employer why you’re the right candidate for the job. But the fact is, you could write down just about anything you wanted to write on your resume, and the employers know this.
So they take the time to verify the information you submitted using an employment background check. They’ll contact previous employers to make sure you worked at a place when you said you did, and they’ll also verify your educational information, check your credit history, and, depending on the job you’re applying for, request a drug test.
In addition, they’ll check your background for any criminal charges, incarcerations, warrants and arrests, sex offenses, judgments and liens, and many other issues from your past. If anything shows up as a “red flag”, you may not be offered employment. To see what things are included in a background check, see these Nebraska background checks as an example.
Accessing Your Background Information
So, where does someone who performs an employment background check get your information? From Google, for starters. But Google only gathers information that is available on the Internet, as they don’t create anything about you. And a lot of the information that Google collects comes from people-search sites, various online websites and all the social media platforms you post on.
That adds up to a ton of information about you living on the Internet. We’ve all heard the stories of how Google’s bots zip around cyberspace looking for anything associated with your name, and then aggregate that information to the results of a Google search. So before you have an employment background check done, make sure you know what information will be discovered about you.
Start with a Google search of your name, and view the contents of the search. Go through all of your social media accounts – each one and every post, including images you’ve posted. Look at those posts through the eyes of a prospective employer, and begin deleting anything that is borderline acceptable. If you’ve referenced alcohol or drug activity, delete it. If there’s an image you posted that you’d be embarrassed to have your family see, delete it. You want to make sure you look as prim and proper as possible, because over 54% of job candidates are eliminated due to social media posts.
Ensure the Accuracy of Your Information
You may not be aware of this, but many people are victims of identity theft of one type or another. Cybercrooks often use your name or personal information to create a fake identity, but you’re the one who will pay the price if it comes up as you. That’s why you need to verify the accuracy of any information Google collects about you.
Because many employment background checks also include a review of your credit history, it pays to get a copy of your credit report and review it to make sure it’s accurate. If it shows defaults on accounts you’ve never opened or other suspicious activity, report it to one of the 3 credit bureaus including Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. You’re also entitled to a free annual credit report, so make use of it.
Boost Your Online Visibility
One of the ways you can help ensure you will get the job you’re after is to boost your online visibility in the industry you’re applying for. One way is to add content to your website relating to trends and current issues impacting your industry and have colleagues share this with others.
And if you don’t have a website, create one and do this. Another tactic people use is increasing your presence on LinkedIn, the premier business-to-business social media site. Post comments, articles and white papers, and ask industry colleagues to “like” your posts and share them online. By following the suggestions and recommendations above, you’ll be fully prepared for your employment background check and will hopefully land your dream job.
