Congratulations! Whether you have made it to the final round in the selection process or have a conditional job offer in hand, your potential employer sees your value and wants you to join their team.

At this point, employers usually conduct background checks and call your references. Do not worry - this stage of the hiring process is usually routine for employers. Here is what to expect:

In order to complete a background check, your potential employer will ask you to fill out forms with your personal information. This could include your contact information, education or employment history, or credential details, to name a few. Employers use this to conduct any applicable checks and verify all of the information you provided during the initial application process.

If you have committed a criminal offence and have not received a pardon, start the pardon process with Pardons Canada. Be warned - this process can take a long time and may not be ready by the time you reach the background screening process. Your criminal record may, and most likely will, come up. The best thing to do in these situations is to be honest in your explanation! Employers appreciate honesty above all else.

Make sure there are no errors on your credit report by contacting TransUnion or Equifax, Canada’s largest credit reporting bureaus.

It is important to have a few references in your back pocket that can speak positively about your character and performance. For each contact they have listed, check the following:

• Do they know they are a reference for you?
• Do you have their updated contact information?
• Do they meet the requirements for the reference as outlined by your potential employer? (For instance, if the employer requires a supervisory relationship, was your reference actually a supervisor or simply a colleague?)

Since background checks largely consist of many outgoing calls and emails, the amount of time it will take largely depends on responses from your previous employers, colleges and universities, or references. The average background check takes around 3-5 business days.

The process may take even longer if additional forms are required or forms are filled out incorrectly. To make the process move along faster, ensure that you complete everything on your end in full (and in a timely fashion) and let your references know who they can expect a call or email from.

Consistent communication not only streamlines the background screening process - it also reflects well on you and your communication skills.