Why Background Check is a Matter for Employment

As all job-seekers know, there are many steps to securing employment. Between the first application and the offer, there are often multiple rounds of interviews, and, almost certainly, a background check. Background checks are a critical means by which prospective employers vet candidates and narrow down a large pool of applicants. Depending on the type of job, the background check might be fairly basic, or it might delve deeper, especially if you are applying for a job where you may work with children or at-risk populations. However, few people actually understand what is going to happen when they agree to a background check.

What does a background check show?

Most people assume a background check is simply checking to see if an individual has any criminal record. While this is definitely a key component, many employers are also looking for other information as well. First and foremost, a background check verifies someone’s identity, education, employment history, Employers pay money to run these checks, and what they are able to access varies by state.

Some examples of information revealed by a standard background check are an individual’s credit history, former addresses, and criminal history from the past ten years. Many people wonder why their credit should have any bearing on whether or not they are hired, and for the most part, it doesn’t, unless you are applying for a position where you will be handling money.

Typically, employers run background checks to make sure the job applicant has told the truth on their application and throughout the interview process. Most companies will not want to hire someone who lied about receiving their degree, about a previous job, or who tried to conceal a criminal past. These checks are done for the safety of the company and its employees.

Common Reasons for Failing a Background Check

Of course, there are ways to fail a background check. Since companies can only run a background check with your consent, they are also obligated to let you know if anything in the report leads to them deciding not to hire you.

A criminal history is not always going to result in not being hired, although, if you are applying for a job where a high security clearance is needed, or a job working as a teacher, caregiver, or school bus driver, a past infraction will likely cause the background check to fail. Similarly, if you are applying for any job that requires driving and you have a poor driving record, you will likely be disqualified. For most jobs, however, potential employers will not care about a few speeding tickets, although something more serious, such as a DUI, is something you should be prepared to discuss.

It is important to remember that if a past criminal record has been sealed or expunged, it will not come up on a background check. If someone was convicted of a crime and the charges were dismissed or they were found not guilty, this may be included in the report after a background check.

Pros and Cons of Background Checks

In most cases, the background check process benefits both the prospective employer and the qualified candidate. To put it simply, putting new employees through a background check makes a company more successful. Background checks cut down on workplace violence, liability, and theft, as well as reducing turnover and preventing negative publicity. They help companies meet customer requirements, and generally set them up to thrive. Generally, employers should want to work for a company that runs background checks because this shows the organization cares about its employees and is willing to invest in high-quality candidates.

The only real downside of a background check from the employer’s perspective is the time and cost associated with it. For the applicant, it can raise privacy concerns, and rarely, mistakes can be made that could unfairly put someone’s job offer at risk. For those concerned about an invasion of privacy, it is important to remember that most information provided by a background check has already been provided by the candidate on the application and during the interview process—it’s simply a verification.

If you are hiring for your business, contact Affordable Background Checks to learn how to get started verifying your potential employees. It is well worth the investment to guarantee you are getting the very best new employees out there.

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