Written by : Stephane Bandeira
Published : September 29,2022
Published : September 29,2022
table Of Content
How do Background Check for employment work?

Written by : Stephane Bandeira
Published : September 29,2022
Published : September 29,2022
table Of Content
Background checks are important for employers when hiring a new employee. Many companies want to ensure they hire someone capable of performing the job and responsible enough to handle their duties.
Many online services provide background checks for employment. The best providers are highly secure and offer detailed background check reports after completing extensive employment background checks.
In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about pre-employment background checks.
Pre-employment background checks find out detailed information about an employee. This process helps employers further understand the past employment history of their employees. Employers also find out whether job candidates have been involved in any criminal activity or not. This helps them to make a good decision about hiring the employee.
The employment screening process includes various stages, such as:
- Stage 1: The first stage is all about getting information about an applicant through different sources. These sources include social networks, websites, news articles, etc. It also requires collecting information from previous employers or other references.
- Stage 2: In this stage, a copy of all application documents provided by the candidate is obtained. It is then verified by an independent third party who has no connection with either party (employer or applicant).
- Stage 3: Here, all information collected from other sources is compared with the information given by the candidate. This ensures there are no discrepancies between both sets of data.
Please note that all of the stages listed above are preliminary. This is a preliminary investigation that is then followed by a more detailed investigation. The preliminary investigation involves researching the candidate’s name and address.
If you find something suspicious during this step of the process, you have to conduct a more detailed investigation. Running a detailed search will include running a criminal background check. It also entails getting references from previous employers and/or colleagues.
Background checks are extremely useful in the workplace. They offer a glimpse into the person you’re hiring before you actually hire them. This is important for jobs that require security clearance or access to sensitive information.
Background checks can help you identify potential problems with your employees – such as criminal records or financial issues – which may affect how well they do their job. They can also tell you if an employee has been terminated from previous positions for misconduct or other reasons.
Background checks can also help you determine if someone is eligible for certain benefits. For example, some employers will only pay for health insurance for employees who have been working for at least 6 months and are at least 20 years old.
Finally, background checks can be used during employment litigation. This is useful when an employer wants evidence against a former employee’s claims of misconduct.
Background checks for employment are a common practice in many industries. The idea behind these checks is to make sure that the person you’re hiring has no history of negative behavior. It also ensures they will not be a risk to your company.
Background checks are a necessary part of the hiring process, but they can be time-consuming and expensive. So, when should you conduct them?
Here are some scenarios when background checks should take place:
- Run a background check if you want to hire someone who will have access to sensitive data or who will interact with customers or clients.
- Perform a background check if there is any doubt about the applicant’s honesty or integrity.
- Do a background check if the position requires frequent interaction with children or vulnerable adults.
Background checks are one of the most important tools for employers to ensure that a potential hire will be a good fit for the organization. In this section, we’ll take you through the various types of background checks and discuss when they should be used.
Criminal History Check
A criminal history check is an evaluation of a candidate’s criminal record to ensure that they have not been convicted of any crimes. Criminal searches often include both state and federal databases. They can be performed by private companies or government agencies.
Past Employment Verification
A past employment verification is an evaluation of a candidate’s work history. This is to ensure that they have held the jobs listed on their resume and have received positive reviews from previous employers. This type of background check can be done via phone call or email with the previous employer listed on their resume.
Education Verification
This type of background check helps to verify your candidate’s educational credentials by confirming their degree(s) and transcripts from accredited institutions. If they did not attend those schools, then further investigation may be needed.
Reference Check
A reference check is when a company calls past employers of potential employees to learn more about their work performance. This may be done by contacting their current employer or former supervisors. If all goes well, then the candidate will be offered an interview and possibly hired for the job position.
Drug Screening
A drug screening is done by testing urine samples for illegal drugs. This is done to ensure employees will not bring any drugs into the workplace, endangering themselves or others. This is typically conducted at work sites where there are hazardous materials present.
Sexual Offenses Check
A sexual offense check will look into the person’s criminal record for any sexual offenses that have been committed. This includes rape, child molestation, statutory rape, and other sex crimes. If you have been convicted of any of these crimes, you will likely be disqualified from most industries.
Credit Background Check
A credit background check can be performed when you are considering hiring someone who will be handling money as part of their job duties. This type of check will look into your credit history and report whether you have any unpaid debts. A credit check is used to help determine if a potential employee can be trusted to handle money properly and responsibly in their new role.
Social Media Behavior Check
The check examines the information available about an applicant from their online presence. It determines whether they have shared content that could negatively affect their reputation at work. Such checks look for offensive memes or photos without appropriate context.
Driving Record CheckĀ
A driving record check will show any tickets, accidents, or traffic violations. It will also show whether or not the applicant has a valid driver’s license.
Professional License and Certifications Check
This type of check will show whether or not the applicant has any professional certifications or licenses.
Background checks are a useful tool for employers. They allow employers to make informed hiring decisions and they help protect the company from liability.
Background checks are sometimes even required by law, depending on the industry. They are useful in helping employers ensure that their employees have a good work ethic and can be trusted to perform well. They also help employers avoid hiring people with criminal records.
Essentially, employers use background checks to ensure that their employees are trustworthy, reliable, and capable of performing their assigned duties. They also want to protect themselves against lawsuits or other legal action if an employee commits fraud or makes significant errors on the job.
There are plenty of reasons why companies conduct background checks on potential employees and it’s important that you understand what those reasons are. Here are some common reasons employers will want to run a background check on potential new hires:
- To verify that the applicant has no criminal history or legal issues
- To verify the applicant’s education and employment history is accurate (and up to date)
- To make sure you’re not lying about your qualifications or previous work experience
- To check if you’ve been fired from a previous job for cause (i.e., sexual harassment, theft, etc.)
You might be surprised to learn that you can fail an employment background check. There are many reasons why a person might not pass, but they often involve these issues: previous criminal records, drug use or abuse, and poor credit scores.
Here are some of the most common reasons for failing a background check:
- Having a criminal record
This is probably the most obvious reason for being denied employment or having your employment terminated. If you have been convicted of drug possession or theft, this information will likely show up on your background report. It could potentially disqualify you from employment at the company where you were applying for work.
- A history of drug use or abuse
Many businesses are prohibited from hiring those who have been convicted of drug-related crimes. It is important to disclose this information if asked by an employer during the application process. Some employers may also require applicants to undergo drug testing. In these cases, applicants must understand what kind of tests they’ll need to pass beforehand.
- Poor credit scores (e.g., high debt-to-income ratios)
Credit scores are used by many employers as part of their hiring process. Your credit history may affect your ability to get hired by some companies, like those with high-security, financial needs.
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires companies to tell you if they intend to use your credit history as part of their hiring decision. The company must also provide copies of any reports they intend to use.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Pre-Employment Background Check?
A background check for employment can be done on an individual who is applying for a job or on someone who already works for the company. The purpose of this employment screening is to ensure that the job candidate is qualified and has no criminal records.
How Long Does a Background Check for Employment Take?
A pre-employment background check takes anywhere from one to three business days. This will largely depend on the details required by the employer. The less information needed, the faster the report will be completed. In some cases, an employer may request additional information or documentation after the report is generated. This could delay the process.
Is It Legal To Do A Background Check On Someone Who Works For Your Company?
Yes, as long as you have their permission and they have received written notice before the investigation takes place. If they refuse, then you cannot proceed with the investigation.
What are Some Examples of Information That Might be Included in an Employment Background Check?
The most common information in these reports includes criminal convictions or arrests. They may also provide credit reports, driving records, and past employer references. More extensive reports may include an educational history and social media accounts as well.
Key Takeaways
A pre-employment background check is important and necessary for any potential hire. You need to make sure that the person you are hiring is who they claim to be. Employment background checks can help to protect you from this threat in various ways. To ensure you get reliable results, use a third-party company to conduct the check. Keep in mind that the service should be complying with the equal employment opportunity commission when conducting background checks.