As a society, we are trying to go paperless, but it seems like we have to fill out more paper forms everywhere we turn. Unfortunately, applying for a job requires filling out huge amounts of paperwork. It can be frustrating and very time consuming. If you have applied for numerous jobs this year, I’m sure you could tally up at least 40 hours of your time completing the required paperwork.
Your resume only tells the employer about your work history. They are required by law to have signatures and information for additional areas. You will probably have to fill out a permission form to perform drug and background screening. This permission is required by law.
You might have to fill out a form stating your sex, race and other demographic information. The Labor Department requires all companies to report this information on a yearly basis. You legally don’t have to fill this out, but companies would like to have the information so they can properly report their statistics to the Labor Department.
Lastly, you will have to read the fine print with regards to everything you have stated on the application is true. This will include prior convictions, dates of employment, your job titles, education and more. Please tell the TRUTH!!! So many people think they are getting around the system by lying. They figure no one will check the validity of the information. Believe me, you are very wrong. More and more companies are checking everything. Especially now, with so many people applying for each job, the companies will be extra careful to make sure they are hiring the right person.
Remember, once you sign the application and release forms, the company has the right to check everything you wrote about yourself. It is very simple to check degrees, certifications, criminal backgrounds, job titles, etc. If you get caught, not only will you not get or lose the job, you could be damaging your reputation. Remember what you learned as a child – Honesty is the best policy! Many companies will overlook a few credits short of a degree, a minor criminal infraction or a difference in job title. Be yourself and be honest. If you start lying, you can never go back!