Photo by Martino Pietropoli on Unsplash
Have you ever wondered what happens when a potential employer runs a background check?
Background checks are used for a few different reasons, but first and foremost, they are used for identity verification.
Beyond that, background checks are used to verify information that a candidate lists on their resume or job application. A survey conducted by ResumeLab found that nearly 60 percent of respondents either flat-out lied or stretched the truth on their documents.
Needless to say, companies need to verify the information before hiring someone.
While some lies might seem harmless, others, such as certifications or required training, might put others at risk depending on the scope of work. Just think about what could happen if a medical professional fudged their credentials!
Talent Acquisition Leader Jennifer Simmons explains,
“The genesis of a background check is usually driven by regulation or a company’s internal policy. Oftentimes, in certain industries, governing bodies require policies in support of background checks at different levels — and they can require different types of checks.
However, at the end of the day, governing bodies aside — all companies do have a moral and ethical obligation to protect the safety and well-being of their employees, customers, students, constituents etc.”
Aside from federal laws, every state has different laws regarding background checks, but some states have strict regulations and local laws on what can be verified through background checks. Here are state laws on background checks.
Remember that employers must obtain written consent before running a background check on you. While an employer cannot force you to submit written consent, they can simply take you out of the running for the job if you don’t consent to a background check.
Types of Background Checks and Background Screenings Employers Might Run
According to GoodHire, these are some of the most common types of pre-employment background checks that a company might run on a potential employee:
1. Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks can search national, federal, state, and county records to see if an applicant has a criminal history, arrests, violations, or related records. This type of background check may show misdemeanor and felony convictions, as well as any active warrants. At the federal level, a criminal background check might reveal tax evasion or identity theft.
2. Civil Court Background Checks
Civil court checks can search the records of federal, upper, and lower civil courts, looking for civil disputes and bankruptcy filings. These screenings are typically used for management or financial positions.
3. Employment Verification Background Checks
Employment verification can confirm an applicant is telling the truth about their employment history.
4. Education Verification Background Checks
Education verification can prove an applicant is telling the truth about the schools they attended, the degrees they earned, and dates of attendance, including license verification.
5. Drug Screening Tests
Drug screening tests for the presence of specified drugs and is often used for jobs that involve working with the public, driving, or operating dangerous equipment.
6. Driving Background Checks
Driving record checks provide state motor vehicle records, license verification, and may be used by employers to determine an applicant’s suitability for jobs that involve driving.
7. Healthcare Sanctions Checks (for Healthcare Professionals)
Healthcare sanctions checks search for disciplinary actions and sanctions for healthcare professionals.
8. Social Security Verification Checls
Social Security Number (SSN) Verification will report the names associated with your SSN, reflecting marital and other legal name changes.
When Do Background Checks Come Into Play?
Depending on the industry and employment type, many employers will run background checks at the beginning of employment.
While contract or temporary employees might not have to face background checks quite as often as full-time hires, employers might conduct background checks before extending an offer to a candidate.
With that said, it’s becoming more common for employers to run background checks periodically throughout an employee’s term of employment.
Pro Tip: In the meantime, you might also want to take steps to give your social media presence a nice clean-up!
Simmons goes on to note that, “For background checks to be truly effective— timing is key. Running them at the beginning of an employment relationship is standard.
However, more companies are starting to run random checks periodically, because life happens, and to be truly responsible, companies need to ensure employees hold up conduct standards throughout the duration of employment.”
How to DIY Your Own Background Check
While it’s not necessary to run a background check on yourself, doing so might help you avoid surprises and prepare for future discussions with potential employers.
If you know that certain information might come up on a background check, consider alerting your potential employer about it ahead of time.
Explaining the situation and giving your potential employer a heads up might alleviate concerns about possible red flags, and can help to strengthen their trust in you when making their hiring decision. It’s always better to be transparent and admit to something than to try to cover it up. When it comes to background checks, the information will surface.
What Information is Included in a Standard Background Check?
Simmons clarifies, “It really depends upon the industry you work in, state you work in, and company policy — but standard items run are state and federal and national criminal checks for the last seven years, professional license checks (if applicable), SSN trace, and depending on your job and industry — sometimes even a credit check. Sometimes when working with adolescents, fingerprinting is even part of this.”
If you want to DIY your own background check, we have a few ideas!
- Obtain a Credit Report: Start simple and obtain a credit report. Many credit cards now offer free transunion credit reports (or reports through other credit bureaus) that you can access through your credit account. By exploring your credit report, you can evaluate your credit history, and see past payments, late payments, and any accounts that have been submitted for collection.
- Request Public Records: You can also request public records through your state’s social services department. California’s website to obtain public records is linked here, but in other states, simply google “how to obtain state public records” to get directed to the correct website.
- Verify Licensure(s): Verify that any professional licenses you have are up to date and don’t require renewal.
- Purchase a Background Check: There are also third-party companies out there that let you purchase background checks to see how a background check might appear to a potential employer.
Still, as long as you consider what potential information might come up on your background check, they probably won’t provide you with much more information than you can find on your own.
How to Talk About Dings On Your Background Check
Ultimately, it’s important to discuss any offense, criminal records, or less-than-ideal information that will come up on a background check ahead of time.
By hiding the information, it will only create distrust between you and your potential employer, which will not work in your favor.
Instead of focusing on the mistake you made or challenges you faced, focus on what you learned from the situation, how you resolved it, and what actions you’ve taken to ensure that it doesn’t happen in the future.
We’re only human, and mistakes happen. True colors show how someone overcomes challenges and moves forward from them.
