Employment Verification: Getting the Information You Need

For potential employers, completing an employment verification for a new hire is a logical step in the hiring process. However, obtaining an useful employment verification can be a frustrating process.


Past employers are hesitant to release detailed information, the information that is most important to new employers such as performance history and disciplinary history. If you're lucky most will only release generic information such as employment dates and position title. To make matters more challenging, the ability for new employers to probe and ask follow-up questions is decreasing as many companies will direct requests for employment verification to automated phone systems.


If by chance you are able to make direct contact with a human resources representative when attempting an employment verification, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of obtaining some useful information.


1. Be considerate of the persons' time. HR professionals are busy and responding to requests for employment verification are not at the top of the to-do list. This is especially true if the employee has already left the organization or has announcing their resignation. The needs and demands of current employees will take priority. To compensate for this factor, be courteous and to the point with your inquiry. Ask the HR representative for no more than ten minutes of their time and get their acceptance before you proceed with the employment verification. Remember to thank the HR representative for taking the time to speak with you.


2. Know what to ask. Employers are rightfully tight lipped when it comes to providing information regarding employees. If the employer representative says the wrong thing, the company could could be slapped with a defamation of character lawsuit.  Preparing an employment reference form or checklist which includes information that employers are likely to provide, will help guide the conversation.


3. Offer alternative methods to respond. The timing of your phone call might not be the best time for the human resources representative to speak with you. Alternatively, offer to  mail, fax or email the employment verification form so that it can be completed at a more convenient time. If you elect to send the employment verification form by mail, including a self addressed and stamped envelope will increase your chances of having the employment verification  returned.


4. Follow-up. HR professionals are usually inundated with mail, emails and phone calls. If your employment verification request has not been completed within seven business days, don't take it personal. Simply follow-up with a quick reminder via email or phone. Don't over do it though. If you have followed up twice with no response, it can safely be assumed that there will not be a response. At this point, you would want to proceed with your normal hiring procedure as not to loose a great candidate. 


With these simple tips your future employment verification attempts should yield increased results.