New year, new job: What employers really check for

Professional Network
1

The job market is fiercely competitive, so how do you stand out?
It’s not just about having a good CV, your personal and digital profile is under scrutiny. This article by @Neesa highlights the key areas employers check for:

  • :graduation_cap: Academic Qualifications: Employers are verifying every degree to catch fraudulent claims.
  • :credit_card: Credit Record: Particularly in finance, a poor credit history suggests you can’t manage money responsibly.
  • :police_car_light: Criminal Record: Honesty is key. Disclose it upfront, as failing to do so signals untrustworthiness.
  • :telephone_receiver: Employer References: Make sure your referees know you’re job hunting and have their current contact/job titles.
  • :mobile_phone: Social Media: Your ranting, airing of volatile views, or bad-mouthing of past employers is a massive red flag for maturity.

Employers, what is the number one thing you look out for when hiring?

2

Sorry, but why would an employer care if you manage your money responsibly? I suppose to make it less likely that you pilfer things?

Re the Social Media thing: OOPS

And yeah i tend to lead with my criminal record (hogwash minor driving incident that happened to involve a govt-owned car in case anyone is spooked).

3

I am thinking that since most vetting is done by machines, the items on this list ought to be largely irrelevant. Truthfulness and disclosure - sure. I get there ought to be no hint of concealment of bogus qualifications or criminality in your past. Credit records are a contentious metric. References become moot if the POPI act is invoked, and social media…, well, why would anyone choose to be boring and safe when there is a universe of opportunity?
I guess I am trying to say that in a perfect work/life-balance world, what we do in our private time should be nobody’s business.
Our privacy ought to be sacred.