A background check is a process that a company or individual uses to find out information about a candidate’s past, including criminal records, employment history, education, and other relevant data. This data is used to make an informed decision about whether or not to hire a person.

Employers use background checks to protect their organization and their customers by reducing the risk of hiring bad actors, stealing money or damaging the company’s reputation. Many employers conduct these checks before making a job offer, and if the background check turns up negative information, it can mean the end of a job offer.

The most common background checks include criminal records, education verifications, employment verifications, and motor vehicle records. There are also many other types of checks that can be included in a comprehensive background screening program.

These include but are not limited to: a) County Criminal Records Searches, b) Employment Verifications, and c) Education Verifications

Criminal Record Checks

The first type of background check that most employers conduct is a criminal record search. These searches look at the entire criminal record for a candidate, including arrests, infractions, misdemeanors, and felonies.

Often, these searches will return records for at least 7 years back. This is the “gold standard” of background checks and is typically the most effective way to find information on a candidate’s criminal record.

It’s important to note that this is not a complete picture of the applicant’s criminal record and that some felony convictions might be missed. Additionally, if you’re in a position where you may be required to access company vehicles, it’s worth investigating a candidate’s driving history.

In addition to this, a credit best background check can help you verify if the applicant is financially responsible and able to handle the responsibilities of the job. It’s also important to consider the age of any convictions, and how long they have been on file.

A credit report can reveal any number of problems, including bankruptcy and divorces. These situations can damage the accuracy of the information in a report and can even result in the applicant’s credit score being negatively impacted.

Other issues can affect the accuracy of a credit report, such as recent changes in employment or the filing of lawsuits. In addition, a negative credit report can lead to an employee’s revocation of their license.

Depending on the type of job, you might also need to run a security clearance investigation. A security clearance will reveal if the candidate has been subject to any investigation or if they have had to undergo testing.

A security clearance may not be needed for every job, but it is an important requirement for certain positions, such as those that require access to sensitive data or a secure location.

A comprehensive background check will usually include all of the above types of searches as well as a few other specialized ones, such as motor vehicle records and Department of Transportation related searches. These specialized types of checks are especially useful for jobs that require security clearances or those that have a high level of responsibility in the workplace.