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You are here: Experts > Jobs/Careers > Job Searching: Canada > Job Hunting Tips > Finding jobs and employement verification
Job Hunting Tips - Finding jobs and employement verification
Expert: Mary - 10/24/2009
Question
Hi Mary. I am a recent graduate and looking for entry level positions. My degree is in Healthcare Management not clinical side. I have been looking for work on job websites and newspapers but with very little response.My network of friends with same degree are facing the same issue. where else should I look and what more you think I should do to atleast get my foot in a company?
And I have only worked part time till now. I wanted to know what do employers check on employement verification? I know employers call past employers to verify dates and other things but is there any other way they can find out about my work history like on credit report or anything and do employers do that often? I want to know so I can check with my past employer and put the exact dates in my resume. Thank You.
Answer
Patrick,
As a recent grad your first stop should be your college placement office to determine what resources are available to you. Typically you will find job postings, employer info, and if they really care about helping their students find jobs, a listing of alumni working in your target companies who have agreed to network. Additionally, they may have resume help and interview coaching services which can be very helpful. If they don't have these services available, ask them where in your community you can find free help.
Many health-care related companies hire entry level people for customer service, data entry and general clerical work: hospitals, clinics, doctors' offices, insurance companies, nursing homes, workers compensation administrators, government(workers comp, health department, etc.), laboratories, and temporary services that specialize in healthcare. Make a list and check them out on the Internet. Companies often post on their websters, but not on the large job boards so this will definitely expand your options. You should also look at press releases and news about your target company so you can approach them directly before jobs are posted.
Look into professional associations in your area and try to attend their meetings. Some may have student chapters that offer memberships at reduced rates in order to give people like yourself an opportunity to network with professionals. You can find them on the Internet or your local Chamber of Commerce may have a list. Of course you want to attend any Chamber of Commerce networking events as well. Just make sure you dress professionally when you attend and have an elevator speech ready.
Regarding employment verifications or references, that depends on each employer. An employment verification is done to verify dates, title and sometimes salary and is pretty informal. You DO want your dates to be accurate. Employers will let small discrepancies slide, but if it looks like you stretched your dates to cover gaps, you are done. Most companies don't like to give references although a prospective employer may ask for them. If that happens, make sure you get permission from the person and coach them a little bit on what the job is all about. Criminal background checks, drug tests, and credit checks may also be required, but you will have to give signed authorization for those. Honesty is the best policy here, as some companies may let minor offenses slide, but will always deny employment to somebody caught in a lie.
A final note: You mention your friends are struggling with the same challenges. I think this is a great opportunity for the group of you to form a "Job Club". Get together weekly to share leads, critique each other's resumes, practice mock interviewing and just generally support each other. If you have enough people, 15- 20, you may be able to start inviting local recruiters to your meetings to do presentations and network. Local churches, libraries and community organizations often provide free space and you can list meetings in the local paper for free. By helping each other you can help yourselves and it will look great on the resume.
Good luck!
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