Missed our fourth installment of Ask Paul live? Watch it here or check below for a short review of answers and tips to our latest job seeker question.

In this episode, Paul gives insight to the following questions about taking a drug screen: "Dear Paul, I have never had to do a drug screen before and it freaks me out. What should I expect? Does someone watch me? Is it true about poppy seed muffins? I'm worried I could do something wrong on accident and mess this job up."

At QPS, our drug screen consists of a simple urine test in a cup with a cap and button. It takes an approximate minute for a red or pink line to show whether you tested positive or not.

Q1: Will someone watch? A: No.

We do not intend to make you more nervous than you already are. To allow you privacy, we do not go into the bathroom with you. While a staff member will be standing outside the door, the purpose is not to monitor you. We want to make sure that no one will bother you or go into the restroom while you occupy it.

Q2: Will poppy seeds affect my drug screen? A: It depends.

Whether you test positive for poppy seeds depends on how the store or restaurant where you acquired the seeds prepared them. The difference lies in whether the poppy seeds had been washed or not. For washed poppy seeds, you can eat as many as you want and it will not affect the results of your drug screen. On the other hand, even one bite of a food that contains unwashed poppy seeds can lead to an unsuccessful drug screen. Unfortunately, you won't know until you get the drug screen results.

Q3: If I unsuccessfully completed a drug screen because of poppy seeds, what’s next? A: We can have the sample analyzed.

Your drug screen will be sent to a clinic for testing. A doctor will perform a test to look at and analyze your sample to see what went wrong. Then QPS will receive a letter that will tell us whether you are cleared to work based on the results of the thorough testing.

Q4: I have a prescription. Will it show up on the drug screen? A: Yes.

This is a normal occurrence. You won't be the first person to show up for a drug screen with a prescription. Make sure to tell us ahead of time. Then we can send your test to be analyzed at a clinic more thoroughly. Your doctor will also be contacted to see if your prescription is valid.

Keep in mind that you do not have to explain to us why you have a prescription and what it is for. It is your private information. When we receive word back about the test results, we will only be notified whether you're cleared to work. The rest of the information is not shared with QPS.

Q5: How many hiring companies require a drug screen? A: Most currently do.

Previously, of our clients the split were about even on whether to require a drug screen or not. Currently, a fair amount of them now do make it a requirement. It is nothing to worry about especially if you make sure you know ahead of time and understand what to expect. If you're looking for work and don't know what's part of the hiring process, you can call your QPS recruiter. We can answer your questions.

Want to know more? Message your questions to us through Facebook. Or stay tuned for an announcement about our next Ask Paul live.