MBI Monthly Myth Buster - January 2020

MYTH:  TRUE OR FALSE?
It is a good idea to use my family and friends as professional references?

MYTH BUSTER:  FALSE
It is not a good idea to use family and friends as a professional reference on a job application. The main reason is your family and friends don’t usually know you in a professional standing and therefore are biased to your work performance and work ethic. Of course you do a great job, because they LOVE YOU! When providing professional references, always provide contacts that can attest to your work ethic and have physically worked with you in a professional setting.

Stay Sharp, HR! Tip: Always ask permission to use a person as a professional reference and give that individual a head’s up that they may be contacted by either a representative of a 3rd party background check company or a person from a company you are applying for. You do not want to list someone who has no idea who you are and will avoid a phone call when your references are being called as this will prolong the background screening process which will in turn, prolong a hire date.

Bethany Thompson, Compliance Manager
MBI Worldwide Background Checks
compliance@mbiworldwide.com
866-275-4624

DISCLAIMER – MIDWEST BACKGROUNDS, INC. DBA MBI WORLDWIDE CANNOT AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR COUNSEL. Although MBI strives to support you with alerts and resources regarding critical compliance matters, please understand that MBI Worldwide CANNOT provide legal advice regarding forms, contracts or compliance topics. Nothing in this article, website or any other communications with MBI Worldwide should be construed as legal advice. If you have legal questions, please consult with legal counsel, who can best advise you on the legalities of obtaining and using consumer reports.