Whether you are currently employed or recently laid off, you should retain a copy of your personnel file. Your recent reviews, recognition certificates and rewards, history of your salary increases and promotions, and any other noteworthy information about your performance are all critical information kept in this file.
When employers fail to give former employees reviews for policy-related reasons, future employers can ask for a copy of your personnel file or your last review.
Your personal file is your property. Before any human resources official sends that file to a prospective future employer, be sure you know what is in it so that you can be prepared if your new employer looks at it.
Employers checking your references will look to see if your interview and application process are consistent with the information in your personnel file, so check the file for supportive evidence of the strengths and values you have mentioned in your resume and during any interview conversations. Make sure the salary figures and increases match what you shared with your prospective employer, and be sure that your dates for job entry and promotions match those in your file as well. The key here is to be honest and well-informed.
