Suggestions for Confirming Candidate Activity

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Overview
• Employment
• Unemployment or Jobseeking
• Periods of No Economic Activity
  • Maternity or Parental Periods
  • Redundancy
  • Travelling
  • Lifestyle Projects (e.g., home projects, long-term personal projects)
  • Voluntary Work
  • Illness or Medical Circumstances
  • Carer Responsibilities
  • Sabbatical
• Working Without Standard Evidence
• Education
• Gap Years or Similar Breaks
• Distance Learning
• School Leavers
• Final Notes

This information helps employers understand the types of documents that candidates might use to support checks when standard references are unavailable.

Important:
All evidence is assessed case-by-case by Verifile’s screening specialists.
Providing an example item does not guarantee acceptance, and additional information may be requested depending on the role, jurisdiction, and client requirements.

Overview

If a reference or direct verification cannot be obtained for a period of your history, candidates may be asked to provide alternative documentation. The examples below illustrate the types of evidence they may be able to use to support their application.

These examples are indicative only — Verifile will confirm what is appropriate for your specific check.

Employment

Examples of documents that may help demonstrate employment during a period:

• Pay-related documents (e.g., recent payslip or tax document)

• An employment confirmation letter on company letterhead

• Evidence of self-employment activity, such as correspondence from a tax authority or professional adviser

• For pensioners: proof of pension payments

Unemployment or Jobseeking

They may be able to provide:

• Correspondence from a government department confirming benefit status

• A bank statement showing receipt of unemployment-related benefits

Periods of No Economic Activity

Depending on the circumstances, suitable examples could include:

Maternity or Parental Periods

• Child-related documentation (e.g., birth certificate)

• Confirmation of child benefit or related allowances

Redundancy

• Evidence of redundancy status or related payments

Travelling

• Travel confirmations, receipts, or passport stamps

• Bank transactions showing activity abroad

Lifestyle Projects (e.g., home projects, long-term personal projects)

• Documentation showing work undertaken or services engaged

• Bank transactions indicating project-related activity

Voluntary Work

• A letter from the organisation confirming voluntary activity

Illness or Medical Circumstances

• A medical note or evidence of treatment during the period

Carer Responsibilities

• Evidence of carer allowances or official correspondence

Sabbatical

• Employer confirmation (for sponsored sabbaticals)

• For personal sabbaticals, documentation relevant to the activity undertaken

Working Without Standard Evidence

(For example: cash-in-hand work, small family businesses, or employers no longer operating)

Where possible, candidates may provide alternative documents such as:

• Tax documents

• A basic contract or agreement

• Evidence of business activity

• Relevant bank transactions

Education

For full-time or recognised study, examples include:

• A university or college letter confirming attendance or enrolment

• Student loan or award notices

• Certificates or transcripts

• Official confirmation of course withdrawal (if applicable)

Gap Years or Similar Breaks

Depending on the activity during the period, they may provide documentation relating to travel, volunteering, study, or personal projects.

Distance Learning

They may be able to submit:

• Confirmation of course enrolment

• Evidence of module activity or participation

School Leavers

Where relevant, candidates might provide:

• End-of-year reports

• Certificates or achievement records

• Letters relating to educational allowances

Final Notes

• These lists are examples only, not an exhaustive or definitive set of acceptable evidence.

• Verifile may request additional documentation or clarification.

• All submissions must be authentic, legible, and clearly linked to the candidate.

• Assessment depends on the role being screened, the client’s requirements, and regional regulations.