What Is a Background Check?

A background check, also known as a background investigation, is a searc💙h for information about someone’s past. The investigating party may uncover information about the person’s past employment, criminal activity, and personal history. Background checks are commonly used by employers when interviewing and onboarding a new employee.

How Background Checks Work

A background check is one of the last steps in the hiring process. Most employers do them after they’ve offered a candidate the job but before they’ve onboarded them. In fact, some states prohibit companies from conducting background checks until a job offer has been extended.

Once an employe🍌r is ready to complete a background check, they can either do so themselv𝄹es or hire a third-party company.

Employers tur🌠n to more than one database to get information about an applicant. A background check actually includes several different searches, including a criminal background check, a credit check, and identity verification. However, companies can get all of this information in one place when they hire a third party to complete the searches.

Why Is a Pre-Em💝🍷ployment Background Check Important?

Pre-employment background checks are among the most common types of background checks. They 🌠are used by employers to further investigate someone they are considering hiring. They can dig up relevant information that may not come up during the interview🃏 process.

Completing a background check before hiring someone allows employers to vet prospective employees based on more than just what’s included on their resumes♑. They can then learn about an applicant’s criminal and credit history that may not have been disclosed. Knowing an applicant’s financial history may be particularly important for a role that involves handling the companyও’s assets.

Types of Background Checks

Backg♉round checks may differ depending on a company’s needs and the third-party organization completing them. Generally, a background check can uncover the following information.

Identity and Social Security Verification

A background search can help you verify an applicant’s identity, ensuring they are who they say they are. You can make sure the applicant’s Social Security number is valid and that their address is accurate, thanks to searches of various federal government databases.

Employment History Verification

A background check allows you to verify an applicant’s employment history. You can ensure the work history listed on the applicant’s resume👍 is accurate and gives them the proper experience needed for the job you’re hiring for.

Education History

During a background check, you can verify an applicant’s education history, includ🌳ing the school they attended and the degree they earned. This step may be particularly important if you’re hiring for a job that requires a certain educational background or degree.

Criminal Record

One of the most important components of a background investigation is the criminal background search. Many employers ask applicants to disclose whether they have a criminal history, but some people may not be upfront aﷺbout that information. A criminal background can uncover any past misdemeanor or felony convictions, as well as pending charges.

Credit Reports

A background check allows you to access credit reports that are prepared by the major credit bureaus. You can learn information such as the amount of debt an applicant has, accounts in poor standing, previous credit applications, whether they’ve filed for 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:bankruptcy, and more. This information may be especia🍨lly important🍃 if you’re hiring for a job that involves handling money or considerable assets.

What to Look for in a Background Screening S𝕴ervice

If you’re🍬 using a background check company to screen your job applications, it’s important to find one that offers three key charac🦋teristics,

Legal Compliance

All background checks must comply with the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Equal Employment Opportunity Commissio𒆙n’s (EEOC) non-discrimination laws. Ensure that any b༒ackground check co🍸mpany you’re considering is in compliance with these regulations and is accredited by the Professional Background Screeners Association.

Variety of Services

Make sure that any background check company you’re considering offers the🍒 services you need. Different companies may offer different searches, including criminal, credit, employment, education, and more. Some companies may specialize in certain types of background checks or certain types of clients, so make sure to find one that best fits your needs.

Pricing and Customer Service

As with any service you’re hiring, it’s important to make sure the company offers fair rates and responsible customer service. Shop around with several different providers to 𝔍compare rates. Read online reviews to identify which companies offer the best service to their clients.

How to Prepare for a Background Check

If you are the subject of a background check, the first step is to✱ be honest on your resume a🍌nd application. Employers are likely to ask for information about your past employment, education, work history, and even criminal background. 

Tell the Truth

Be honest when answering these questions in your application as your potential employer can uncover the truth later on during the background check. Even if your background doesn’t necessarily disqualify you from getting the job, lying on your application might.

Know What a Check Will Find

Next, learn what information your potential employer might uncover during a background check. Chances are you’re well aware of your criminal background, work history, and education. But you may not know the contents of your credit report. Before you start the job application process, 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:get a copy of your credit reports to seeཧ if they include any red flags. Then, take any necessary steps to repair errors.

Know What Can Be Asked—and What Can’t

Finally, know what an employer can and 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:can’t ask you about. Employers can ask you about various aspects of your background during a job interview process. Howev🌼er, they can’t ask about medical information or genetic information, except in very limited circumstances. They also can’t treat you differently depending on your race, national origin, color, sex, religion, d🔜isability, genetic information, or age.

If the employer you’re applying with denies you a job based on your background check, they must share that with you. You have the right to kn🐈ow the name and contact information of the background reporting company, dispute information in your background check, and get a 💧free copy of the report directly from the company.

The Bottom Line

A background check is standard practice dur🌃ing the hiring process at many companies. It allows an employer to ensure the person they hire is honest, responsible, and can be trusted with certain components of the business. Whether yo🐭u’re a company hiring out a background check or a prospective employee going through one, it’s important to understand how the background check process works, the information that can be uncovered, and your rights.