The tech industry has grown considerably in recent years. With no sign that technological advancement is slowing, the chances are that more of us will be working online, or in other technology roles. The tech sector is so wide that it’s impossible to state exactly what happens with identity checks in every situation. However, there are some general identity checking rules which apply to most roles.
Why are identity checks necessary?
Tech companies have the same responsibility as others to make sure that the people they are hiring are who they say they are. There are two different categories of checks. Firstly, employers must make sure that they are employing people legally. All employers in the UK do this, as being found employing illegal workers means heavy fines. Employers ask candidates to bring their passports with them to interview, as proof of nationality. If you don’t have a passport, a birth certificate might be sufficient proof. Employers want to cover themselves by seeing concrete proof of your identity, and your passport can be matched to the appearance of the person in front of them.
In addition to the basics. employers might choose to run more checks too. This will depend on many factors. Businesses will assess the risk to an organisation of hiring the wrong person. That doesn’t just mean looking at the damage they could potentially do. Employers also consider the cost of getting the wrong person for the job, and the costs of hiring all over again.
Fact checking
Increasingly, companies are recognising the fact that many people tell lies, or exaggerate on job applications. This is a particular issue in roles which are very technical. In larger companies, the people screening the CVs often don’t have an in-depth knowledge of the technical aspects of the job. You’d hope that the interview panel would include someone who could see through lies, but this isn’t always the case. Often, the employer will call the previous employers listed on the CV to verify what you have claimed to do. It’s never wise to claim that you led a project you were just a team member on. Facts such as qualifications and professional certificates can also be checked to make sure they are genuine.
Are identity checks the same as a CRB or DBS checks?
There’s a lot of confusion around fact checking, identity checking and CRB checks. Criminal records checks, which are now known as DBS checks, are not usually standard for IT or tech jobs. The exception to this would be someone working in financial services with access to people’s accounts, or contractors for government departments. However, any employer can ask for a basic DBS check at any time. A basic check is just a verification of the details on your current criminal record. Not all employers will go to these lengths, and some may only check employees at a senior level.
Credit checking
Again, this is a form of checking which doesn’t apply to all tech jobs. If however you’re applying for an IT role in a bank, financial services organisation or any type of police or government job, then credit checking should be expected. The idea behind a credit check isn’t to look into what you spend your salary on. It’s about weeding out people who have serious financial issues only, or who are bankrupt. People who find themselves under financial pressure might be tempted to commit fraud, and this risk increases if they are in a position where they have access to money. You can check your own credit record online to see what is likely to be thrown up if an employer decided to credit check you too.
Getting through the checking process
As long as you’re not trying to hide your illegal immigration status or pretending to have a PhD when you really only have GCSEs, then the identity checking process is nothing to be scared of. Any good employer will be happy to talk you through what they do, and more importantly, why. Whatever the process, cooperating as best you can will mean things happen more quickly. Don’t forget to bring your passport to interview, or complete the DBS forms as soon as you are handed them. Being speedy should mean the checks are done quickly. and you can start work.