Pre-employment Screening

[Eirene_DGP]

For those of you who are looking for work, have you encountered all of the pre-employment screening. I'm talking about the test that takes about 45 mins to an hour where they ask questions like:

Do you steal?
Would you ever consider stealing?
Would you report someone who stole something and didn't get caught?

And then at the very end, the test might have 2 pages or so of math problems to test your problem solving abilities.

What do you all think of these tests? Do you think they are necessary? I absolutely hate them and think they are a waste of my time, especially during mass interviews, because only one person will be hired.

[Lady Pi Phi]

I just applied for a job and they ask you to submit to a criminal and credit check. Ok, I can understand the criminal check, but a credit check?? WTH! Adn the is not for some top secret government job, it's for a dat entry clerk. What does your credit have to do with data entry?

[CatStarESP4]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I just applied for a job and they ask you to submit to a criminal and credit check. Ok, I can understand the criminal check, but a credit check?? WTH! Adn the is not for some top secret government job, it's for a dat entry clerk. What does your credit have to do with data entry?

This is the thing that I don't understand. When one applies/interviews for a job, they have to run a credit background check. What are the prospective employers trying to tell the applicants? That if they have lousy credit or they are in debt, they don't get the job. Isn't one the purposes of getting a job to make money to pay off the debts. I don't get it at all!

[bethany1982]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I just applied for a job and they ask you to submit to a criminal and credit check. Ok, I can understand the criminal check, but a credit check?? WTH! Adn the is not for some top secret government job, it's for a dat entry clerk. What does your credit have to do with data entry?

The credit ck seems to be taking it a bit far. I love the questions about "stealing." I can see a thief answering that question. The Math seems ok to me, but that's just my opinion.

[NeonPi]

Originally posted by Lady Pi Phi
I just applied for a job and they ask you to submit to a criminal and credit check. Ok, I can understand the criminal check, but a credit check?? WTH! Adn the is not for some top secret government job, it's for a dat entry clerk. What does your credit have to do with data entry?

It actually has to do with checking whether there are any default judgements or other legal issues lived against you (like garnishing wages). Those items show on a credit report.

Of course, they have to have your permission first, and

If you are not sure what your credit report looks like, you can have a copy sent to you. In Canada, go to https://www.econsumer.equifax.ca/ca/main?lang=en and for the United States, go to Equifax US at http://www.equifax.com/

FYI - I used to work for Credit Bureau of Vancouver (now aowned by Equifax) and that was why our clients submitted these requests.

If you have further questions, please PM me.

Shala

[AchtungBaby80]

When I was applying to sub in the public school system, they did a criminal check as well as have me fingerprinted (I felt like a criminal! ) because they have to. It's understandable, though, so I didn't really mind.

I know there are ways to get a free credit report, but... what are they? I'd like to see my credit and make sure everything on there is correct before I get married....

[Munchkin03]

Originally posted by Ginger
I know there are ways to get a free credit report, but... what are they? I'd like to see my credit and make sure everything on there is correct before I get married....

A credit record shows, in addition to your current address and possibly your previous address:
-record of all credit accounts (credit cards, loans, in-store credit) in the past few years
-any debts that may be held in your name (or variations of your name)
-any defaulted accounts or bankruptcy records
-inquiries made against your account (ie, credit applications)

Someone else could probably elaborate on these. I used to do credit for a jewelry store, and this is the stuff that I remember most vividly. You also receive a credit score, which is an easy way for a creditor to evaluate your credit worthiness.

I highly suggest you check out a credit report ASAP, especially if you're changing your name, or if you share a name with someone in your family. Mr Munchkin is a Jr, and had a hard time getting credit until he realized that his father's name (and therefore, questionable credit) was getting on his report as well. They fixed it within a business day, and he has had his impeccable credit restored. We have to check it from time to time just to make sure the same thing hasn't happened again.

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by Ginger
I know there are ways to get a free credit report, but... what are they? I'd like to see my credit and make sure everything on there is correct before I get married....

Also... there are 3 credit bureaus in the US, so you should request credit reports from all 3, because sometimes something will show up only on one report.

You can get a free credit report once a year, or anytime you're turned down for a loan.

[MeLikey]

I took a test like that in a group interview for Macy's. I thought it was pointless... I mean who would really say that they'd ever steal if they're applying to work in a store. I hated the job, it was only for the summer and I was going back to school in a few weeks anyway, so I quit after my 3rd shift.

Sorry... I wasn't very clear I know what a credit report is... but I can't figure out how to get one for free. Everywhere I've looked charges, and I know I'm entitled to one free one per year. How do I go about requesting it?