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Background Checks Employers Can Perform on Any Job Applicant

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Employers screen their job applicants using multiple types of background checks to ensure a safe work environment. This article will discuss the most prominent screening types.

What is a background check?

The purpose of a background check is to verify that a person is who they claim to be and provide historical insights, commonly criminal in nature. An employer typically runs a check on prospective hires to confirm that all the information provided on an application or resume is correct. The individual’s criminal history, education, identity, and employment history can all be investigated to do so. Some employers require extensive checks, and some require more basic screenings. This all depends on the position and specific employment requirements. 

Person holding magnifying glass. Employment screening concept.

Do all new employees need to be screened?

A new hire can manifest as either a liability or an asset for the company. Employers can greatly mitigate risk by screening all potential hires. Through the employment screening process, a candidate’s true eligibility for a position can be reliably determined. The employer is responsible to provide a safe working environment for the entire workforce and a background check provides reassurance to the employer that they are not hiring individuals who could contribute to an unsafe workplace.

4 Levels of Background Check

For convenience, we often categorize background checks into four levels of depth and detail.  While, in some ways, this is oversimplifying matters, it can lay a basic foundation of understanding. Level one relies heavily on database information; level two adds more county records retrieval. Level three introduces education and employment verification, and level four introduces financial screening and more in-depth drug/health screening depending on hiring needs. Again, there are many more ways to customize a background screening program, but these four “levels” act as a baseline.

Types of background checks

There are many different kinds of background checks available depending on the industry or need. Each state has guidelines that employers must follow when making hiring decisions. It is unlawful to make decisions based on information that does not comply with the requirements of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state statutes.

The following are common types of background checks that employers can perform on any job applicant in 2023.

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Criminal Background Check

Criminal background checks include reports on past arrests, convictions of felonies/misdemeanors, court proceedings, warrants, sex offenses, and incarceration records on a county, state, and national level.

Tenant Screening 

Tenant background checks are for landlords who are interested in screening their potential tenants. Tenant checks involve outreach to previous landlords/references, criminal records, and necessary credit reports.

Childcare Background Check

Childcare background checks include, at a minimum, a comprehensive criminal background check (state and federal), a sex offender search, and a search of the civil courts.

Firearm Background Check

Firearm background checks are processed federally through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). This background check requires fingerprints. Only individuals who comply with this background check process can lawfully purchase a firearm. 

Security Clearance Check

A security clearance check includes exclusions list searches such as the terrorist watchlist and FBI’s wanted list, face-to-face interviews, personal and professional reference checks, and a comprehensive criminal background check.

E-verification

In this type of background check, the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration information is used to verify a valid social security number and citizenship of the applicant. 

International Check

An international background check includes a criminal check, education verification, and employment history in specific countries of interest.

Financial (Credit) Background Check

A credit background check includes payment history, civil judgments, tax liens, bankruptcies, unpaid bills in collections, and recent credit inquiries. This report consists of information collected by Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.

Professional License and Certificate Verification

A professional license or certificate verification is used to confirm a candidate’s credentials and is particularly useful in the medical industry.

Driving Record Background Check

A driving record includes traffic accidents, driving record points, current driver’s license status, DUIs in public record history, other traffic law violations, convictions, and fines. In most cases, driving infractions will not be reported as part of a standard criminal background check.

Social Security Number Trace

The social security number trace verifies the validity of an SSN while gathering name and address histories that can be used to verify other records in the report.

Social Media Check

Social media checks involve an in-depth review of various social media, including Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They can be used to better understand potential hires’ character/behavior.

You can learn more about the specifics of social media screening here.

Sexual Offender Registry Check

The sexual offender registry is a database of registered sex offenders. If not conducted, it opens the door to accusations of negligent hiring or retention lawsuits in the event of employee misconduct.

Education Verification

An education verification involves contacting the institution where a degree was earned to verify the dates and other information directly at the source.

Employment Verification

Verifications of employment involve calling previous employers and verifying the position and employment dates. 

Professional and Personal Reference Verification

This check is a check of references provided to the employer by prospective new hires. 

Professional references could include previous co-workers who can provide insights into how the employee behaved in the workplace. Personal references could include friends or family who can speak to the candidate’s character.

Types of background checks employers can perform on a job candidates



How Are Peopletrail Background Checks Different?

These are just a few examples of the various types of background screening products. Peopletrail helps unique organizations customize a solution to meet their specific needs. We work with employers to help ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely hiring.

While insights are important, it’s the people behind the data that matter, which is why we focus on providing the best possible experience for our clients and their candidates.

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