Understanding Job Ads and Applications Course: References and background checks

1. Question 1 of 16

   What is a job reference?

   • ASomeone who can describe you as a worker
   • BA letter from the government that proves your identity
   • CA printed copy of the job ad you are applying to
   • DYour SIN confirmation letter from Service Canada
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Someone who can describe you as a worker

   A reference is a person the employer can contact to learn about you as a worker or volunteer.

2. Question 2 of 16

   How many references does Job Bank suggest newcomers have ready?

   • ANone
   • B2 or 3
   • C5 to 10
   • D1
   Show answer

   Answer: B. 2 or 3

   Job Bank suggests having 2 or 3 people ready, ideally in Canada, whom employers can contact.

3. Question 3 of 16

   Where should you keep your list of references?

   • AOnly in your cover letter, after your signature
   • BOn a separate sheet, given only when asked
   • CAt the top of the first page of your resume
   • DOn your public social media profile
   Show answer

   Answer: B. On a separate sheet, given only when asked

   Job Bank advises keeping references on a separate sheet and giving them only when they are requested.

4. Question 4 of 16

   What should you do before you list someone as a reference?

   • ANothing, because employers rarely call references anyway
   • BAsk the person's permission and tell them about the job
   • CAsk them to say they were your manager, even if they were not
   • DGive the employer their SIN so they can be checked
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Ask the person's permission and tell them about the job

   A reference who knows to expect a call, and knows about the job, can give a clear and helpful answer.

5. Question 5 of 16

   Amir is new to Canada and has no Canadian work experience yet. Who could be a good Canadian reference?

   • AA neighbour he met for the first time yesterday
   • BThe coordinator at the food bank where he volunteers
   • CHis cousin, who has never seen him at work or school
   • DA famous person he follows on social media
   Show answer

   Answer: B. The coordinator at the food bank where he volunteers

   Job Bank notes that volunteering can build Canadian experience and create references.

6. Question 6 of 16

   Who decides whether a job needs a criminal record check, and what type?

   • AThe job seeker, after getting the offer
   • BJob Bank, for every posting on its site
   • CThe organization that is hiring
   • DThe Canada Revenue Agency
   Show answer

   Answer: C. The organization that is hiring

   The RCMP explains that organizations set their own screening rules and decide which type of check they need.

7. Question 7 of 16

   What do police use for a name-based criminal record check?

   • AYour name and date of birth
   • BYour resume and cover letter
   • CYour Social Insurance Number
   • DYour credit score and bank records
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Your name and date of birth

   Police search your name and date of birth in the RCMP Canadian Police Information Centre system.

8. Question 8 of 16

   You are asked to give fingerprints for a criminal record check. What does this mean?

   • AYour identity needs confirming; it is not an accusation
   • BYou have been charged with a crime somewhere in Canada already
   • CSomeone has stolen your SIN and used it
   • DThe employer has already decided to reject you
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Your identity needs confirming; it is not an accusation

   Fingerprints may be needed when name-based results show a record or closely match someone else. The RCMP says being asked does not mean you are suspected of a crime.

9. Question 9 of 16

   Why should you start early when a job needs a fingerprint-based check?

   • AOnly one police station in Canada takes fingerprints
   • BThe check must be finished before you can apply for a SIN
   • CProcessing can take from 3 to 120 business days
   • DFingerprints expire after one day
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Processing can take from 3 to 120 business days

   The RCMP says fingerprint-based checks can take 3 to 120 business days, so plan ahead.

10. Question 10 of 16

    Where can you get a criminal record check?

    • AThe Canada Revenue Agency, through My Account
    • BYour previous employer's human resources office
    • CYour local police service or an authorized company
    • DAny bank branch with a notary on staff
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Your local police service or an authorized company

    You can go to your local police agency or an authorized company.

11. Question 11 of 16

    What does a vulnerable sector check include?

    • AA review of your social media posts and your online accounts
    • BA police information check plus a check for record suspensions for sexual offences
    • CA credit check plus a review of all your past bank statements
    • DA check of your driving record and any traffic tickets you received
    Show answer

    Answer: B. A police information check plus a check for record suspensions for sexual offences

    A vulnerable sector check is a police information check plus a check for record suspensions for sexual offences.

12. Question 12 of 16

    Which job is most likely to need a vulnerable sector check?

    • AA warehouse worker who loads trucks at night
    • BA cashier at a busy hardware store downtown
    • CA youth soccer coach with authority over children
    • DA data entry clerk who works alone on night shifts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. A youth soccer coach with authority over children

    Vulnerable sector checks are for positions of trust or authority over children or vulnerable persons, whether paid or volunteer.

13. Question 13 of 16

    Can you ask for a vulnerable sector check on your own, before any employer asks?

    • ANo; only the RCMP in Ottawa can ever request one
    • BNo; the hiring organization must request it
    • CYes, but only through a bank or credit union
    • DYes; anyone can order one online for any reason
    Show answer

    Answer: B. No; the hiring organization must request it

    The RCMP says the hiring organization must make the request. You give consent, and the organization decides if the position qualifies.

14. Question 14 of 16

    Nadia lives in Winnipeg and needs a vulnerable sector check. Who conducts it?

    • AAny private company that offers checks online
    • BHer new employer's human resources team
    • CThe Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
    • DThe police service where she lives
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The police service where she lives

    Vulnerable sector checks must be done by the local Canadian police service where the applicant lives. (In British Columbia, the Criminal Records Review Program is used.)

15. Question 15 of 16

    For a vulnerable sector check, who counts as a "child"?

    • AAnyone still in school
    • BAnyone under 18
    • CAnyone under 16
    • DAnyone under 12
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Anyone under 18

    The RCMP page defines children as anyone under 18.

16. Question 16 of 16

    What happens to fingerprints taken for a criminal record check?

    • AThey are added to your SIN record at Service Canada
    • BThey are kept on file by your employer forever
    • CThey are shared with Job Bank to verify your account
    • DThey are used only for the check, then destroyed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. They are used only for the check, then destroyed

    The RCMP says fingerprints are used only for the check and are destroyed afterward.

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