Urgent help required about new job (background check!)

P_McLove

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone can help me.

I have been unemployed for one year but in that year I have lied on my CV about a steady job at a real company (which is small) and have a reliable contact there that can vouch for my "employment" there regarding the job I supposedly do (they have legit company email etc).

I have finally got the job I have been after but subject to an Experian background check.

Ironically during my interview, the company was more interested in my previous role that I had before this year-long one but I just don't know what to do as I don't know what the Experian check actually entails regarding my previous job history. Do they simply call/email the contact that I give them (whom I know)?

I've worked so hard to get this job and I feel that it will be taken away from me and I'll be back to square one.

Thank you in advance.

Oakdene

They may request a manager or supervisor to confirm your 'employment' but why oh why lie?

P_McLove

I know, it's been so hard to get anything. I've been the type who's got to the final stage etc many times and missed out against the superman/superwoman at the end.

I don't like what I've done but I've been very desperate. I have all the skills etc my new employer wants and have been assessed by them and passed with flying colours along with 3 interviews.

But I feel that I wouldn't have even got to the first stage had they known about my unemployment.

Silvertabby

Sadly, I fear that you will be rumbled - either when they ask for an actual reference from your 'last' employer or when they get your P45 .

DCFC79

Your job history wont be on your Experian credit file.

Your job history is for you to list and be honest about.

P_McLove

Oh? Why would that be? That contact has done this for me before when I had my previous role as my referee.

The current tax year is only 2 weeks old so couldn't I have a circumstance that has maybe had a dispute etc regarding my final pay after I handed in my resignation etc?

Malthusian

P_McLove wrote: »

I know, it's been so hard to get anything. I've been the type who's got to the final stage etc many times and missed out against the superman/superwoman at the end.

Maybe they spotted one of the other lies in your CV, or they caught you out in some other way, and thought "This guy is very qualified, but I think we'll go with the candidate who is just as qualified and isn't a liar".

I have all the skills etc my new employer wants

Apart from honesty and decision-making (lying when there is a high chance of being caught out is a poor decision). These are quite important to employers.

But I feel that I wouldn't have even got to the first stage had they known about my unemployment.

Then either you needed to put a positive spin on your period of unemployment, or you were setting your sights too high.

I suggest you a) write off this job and hope that they don't spread the word b) come up with a better way of answering the question about unemployment (I had family commitments, I was travelling, or even just tell the truth) c) be more realistic about your expectations. You've been out of work for a year. To get the job you want, you may need to enter at a lower level and move up.

Malthusian

P_McLove wrote: »

Oh? Why would that be? That contact has done this for me before when I had my previous role as my referee.

*ring ring* Hello, can I speak to Dave?

Dave's on holiday, but this is a small company, I'm sure I can help you. What are you after?

I need a reference for an ex employee of yours, Mr P McLove.

Never heard of him.

Are you sure, he's worked for you for the last year?

Listen, this is a small company and I know everyone who's worked here for the past few years, and we've never had a P McLove.

*click*

I can think of half a dozen other ways you could be caught out with equal ease. If this fiction wasn't as transparent as a wet tissue from Asda's own-brand, you wouldn't be here asking if you might be caught out by something as obvious as an Experian check or your P45.

IAmWales

P_McLove wrote: »

Oh? Why would that be? That contact has done this for me before when I had my previous role as my referee.

The current tax year is only 2 weeks old so couldn't I have a circumstance that has maybe had a dispute etc regarding my final pay after I handed in my resignation etc?

Maybe you need to stop digging yourself into holes?

Even if you con your way through the background check, this will catch up with you. It could well come back on the person faking a reference for you too. What a mess.

P_McLove

Wow this escalated quickly.

I had the skills prior at my previous role, just because I had lost out to a candidate that was simply a bit better than me means I should be unemployed and harm my chances for future employment if I do say for example "I had family issues"...they will then think this person is under pressure and it'll affect him in the work place. No thank you.

My referee contact owns part of this business with a family member...why would this be any issue?

Think I'll be fine, especially now I know what this entails regarding the check as have sought independent advice from a money advice company along with the fact that this current tax year is only a couple of weeks old.

Thanks

[Deleted User]

What a wasted year...

A company of the financial sense (if legit) once told me I'd had to many jobs to be even considered. Don't half wish I'd had a couple of years unemployed under my belt then ironically!! Would have been far easier I am sure.

Sure you'll be fine if they are always advertising maybe.