How Do I Become a Verification Specialist?

To become a verification specialist, you will typically need to hold a high school diploma, have some background in customer service, and be able to work with computers and software. Depending on your employer, you may also need to demonstrate the ability to work with online databases and have good proofreading skills. In many cases, you will need to have a pleasant and engaging telephone personality to become a verification specialist, as you may find that you spend much of your workday on the telephone in attempts to verify information that has been provided to you.

Many industries rely on verification specialists to confirm information provided by job applicants, medical patients, and consumers of other products and services. These workers typically review information provided by others and then verify each piece of information for accuracy. For example, an insurance verification specialist may work for a hospital or medical practice to make sure that patients have adequate insurance coverage. If the specialist works for an employer or recruiter, he or she may verify information on job applications by contacting schools, former employers, and personal references.

The exact qualifications that you'll need to become a verification specialist will vary according to the industry in which you work. For example, if you work for a medical practice, you may need some education or experience in the medical or insurance field so that you will know what questions you need to ask when verifying coverage. If you work for a website that needs to verify information about its business listings, there may be more emphasis on your telephone skills and ability to proofread for errors. While you typically will not be expected to hold a college degree, you may find that completing some coursework in computers and databases can be very helpful.

If you choose to become a verification specialist for an employer, recruiter, or background check service, you may need to have a background in searching databases. This is because you may be required to verify a person's identity or educational credentials in order to determine his or her suitability for employment. While some types of information may be very accessible to you, you may also have to dig a bit harder for other details, particularly if an individual has worked for the company that has gone out of business. You may also need to be able to identify cases of fraud or identity theft while performing your verification duties.