Background Checks (2024)

FAQs

What is usually checked in a background check? ›

Background checks look to verify details regarding an individual's identity, social security, past residences, criminal history, employment history, credit, and driving records. Employers can then use this information to make well-informed decisions about candidates, fostering safe and trustworthy workplaces.

The overall best criminal background check websites are GoodHire, BeenVerified, and TruthFinder, because of their search options and quick turnaround times. Each of these background check companies offers a wide range of background check services, a streamlined reporting system, and customized pricing options.

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

Such checks are conducted on potential employees who hold positions of authority or trust. The most popular form of background check is Level 3 background check. Criminal records, schooling, past employment, and reference checks are all part of this process.

Criminal Backgrounds

The biggest red flag in a background check is a criminal history. Background checks show different types of offenses depending on the type of check. They may involve national, federal, state, or county databases.

Background checks show and confirm employment gaps and sometimes a candidate's reasons for leaving previous jobs. Whatever employment dates they've put on their resume, background checks will verify this for you. You'll no longer have to guess whether the candidate listed the correct start and end dates.

The most common types of employment background screening include: Address History, Civil Records, SSN Verification, Criminal Records, Resume Verification, Medical Registration and Sanctions, and Drug and Alcohol Testing.

An employment background check is a normal part of the screening process for many jobs. If you've gotten this far in the hiring process and have been honest with your potential employer, you likely don't have to stress about what employers look for in a background check.

Why would a background check fail? ›

There are many reasons why a candidate may “fail” a background check, from criminal history to discrepancies in employment or education history, or an unsafe driving record or failed drug test.

### Green Flags: 1. **No Discrepancies Found**: The information provided by the applicant matches the records found during the background check. This can include employment history, education, criminal records, and more.

In most cases, the lookback period for criminal background checks is seven to ten years. These checks can turn up publicly available arrest records, court records and criminal records for felony arrests and convictions as well as pending cases.

A background check helps to verify your previous employers and that you have the relevant skills an employer wants. To check your credentials, a prospective employer calls your previous employers directly to verify the accuracy of jobs and dates of employment in your application.

California prohibits CRAs from reporting convictions older than seven years under Cal. Civ. Code 1786.18(a)(7). This law also prohibits CRAs from reporting arrests not leading to convictions even if they occurred within the last seven years, but pending cases can be reported.

A background check helps to verify your previous employers and that you have the relevant skills an employer wants. To check your credentials, a prospective employer calls your previous employers directly to verify the accuracy of jobs and dates of employment in your application.

If a position is an entry-level job, most employers verify the previous three years of employment. However, more senior-level positions and jobs requiring more skills should require more years of employment verification such as the last five to seven years.

Unlike state-level background checks, the FBI background report provides national coverage of criminal histories. It contains detailed information about each arrest, including its date, charge, and the case's disposition (outcome).

Undergoing a background check doesn't always guarantee that an employer has decided to hire you for a job. However, a background check is usually an indicator that an employer is seriously considering you for an available role.