Jessica Booker
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- Aug 1, 2019
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Any reference process will try to be as thorough as possible so it can be quite intensive.Hey guys! Long time lurker but first time poster here
I was wondering if anyone here gone through an Experian background check (occupational history, credit, criminal check, etc)? I got offered a TC and the offer is conditional on passing the background check. Just wondering how intensive it is especially the occupational history part. The email from the firm said that I’ll need to supply references from all my employers over the last 5 years but one of my supervisors from a summer internship has since retired and is in very poor health. I don't think he'll be able to supply a reference. This was a remote internship at a small charity and my supervisor was really the only person I communicated with so I’m not sure who else could vouch for me other than the other intern on the project. Will Experian accept other proof that I worked there (ie email communication during the internship)?
Furthermore, my work experience has all been either University society-related, unpaid internships, or volunteer roles. No paid work experience at all. In this case, how will Experian check these? Some roles have been more formal than others so I have signed contracts/agreements with the organisations that I could supply Experian with but no payslips or formal employment contracts.
I've not yet been sent the link to the Experian Platform but I've been working everything up in my head and am starting to feel a bit nervous about these factors. Any insight would be very appreciated!
For the charity internship, they will try to contact someone else in the organisation that can verify you worked there. Its unlikely only one person knew of your placement and therefore they will typically seek confirmation from someone else (usually HR). If they cannot verify it, then they will seek alternative means. For instance, I had a recruitment agency who flat refused to confirm I had worked through them (as they had wiped my data from their systems were so much time had passed) and instead, I showed my bank statements that confirmed I received payments from them for the months I worked through them. Similar approaches can be taken, either with written confirmation of your placement you received at the time or even some form of personal reference from someone you know personally (non-family and in a recognised profession) who can say you did these roles. For instance, my work history is quite difficult to provide references for where I am self-employed, and so employers have taken references from a CFO I went to university with and also my accountant who "vouched" for my character.
University society involvement is unlikely to be checked - its not considered employment.
Any volunteer roles/unpaid internships (especially if they are you only forms of "employment") could be confirmed by alternative methods (like those listed above).
The only time you ever have to worry about reference checks is if you have lied - so generally there is nothing to worry about here.