10 Different Types Of Employment Background Checks
Employment background checks are necessary to make sure that a candidate is qualified and that legal requirements are met. They come in different forms, and each one is used to check an applicant’s background, skills, and honesty. These background checks provide companies with in-depth information about potential hires from criminal record checks and job verification to credit history reviews and drug tests. Understanding the different types of job background checks enables businesses to choose the best combination to ensure a safe and productive workplace while making hiring decisions.
The 10 different types of employment background checks are listed below.
Identity Verification: Uses government-issued IDs to confirm the candidate’s name to make sure the information is correct and stop fraud.
Criminal Background Checks: Criminal background checks look at people’s records to see if they have any convictions or legal problems that are related to the job.
Employment Verification: Checks the candidate’s work history, including roles, duties, and length of time at each job.
Education Verification: Checks the candidate’s academic credentials, including degrees and certificates.
Right to Work Check: Makes sure that the applicant is legally allowed to work in the place where the job is being offered.
Professional License Verification: Professional License Verification checks that licenses and certifications needed for certain jobs are still legal and up to date.
Credit Background Checks: Credit background checks look at a person’s financial past to see how trustworthy they are, especially for jobs that require handling money.
Reference Checks: Asks previous employers or coworkers about the candidate’s skills and work to get feedback.
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Reports: Looks at a person’s driving history for roles that need them to drive to make sure they are safe and following the rules.
Social Media Checks: Look at someone’s online activity to see if there are any possible red flags.
1. Identity Verification
Identity verification is the process of making sure someone is who they say they are by checking government-issued IDs like passports, driver’s licenses, and national IDs. Its primary purpose is to make sure the applicant is who they say they are, which helps companies stop identity theft and keep the workplace safe. It is important for jobs that need a lot of trust or access to private data. It works by checking the ID with databases or highly complex technologies like biometric matching or facial recognition. Accurate identity verification affects applications by fostering trust in the hiring process and lowering the possibility of scam within the company.
2. Criminal Background Checks
Criminal background checks involve looking into a person’s criminal records to see if they have ever been convicted, arrested, or had any other legal problems. The purpose of these checks is to make sure that the workplace is safe, that risks are kept to a minimum, and that laws for the industry are followed. It is important for jobs where trust is required, like in healthcare, education, or banking. It works by searching local, state, and government databases for records of felonies, misdemeanors, and other crimes. Criminal background checks affect applications as candidates with reportable criminal records can be re-evaluated for a position, whereas a clean record increases trust and suitability for the position.
3. Employment Verification
Employment verification is the process of checking a job candidate’s current and past jobs, including titles, dates, and responsibilities. The purpose is to verify the accuracy of the information candidates provide and to evaluate their relevant professional experience. It is important because it helps companies make smart hiring choices, lowers the risk of fake resumes, and keeps the workplace integrity. It works by calling the candidate’s past companies or using third-party services to check the information they gave. It impacts applications as mistakes or false claims that lead to disqualification, while confirmed information makes a candidate look more trustworthy.
4. Education Verification
Education verification is the process of making sure that a candidate has the right academic credentials, such as degrees earned, schools visited, and graduation dates. The purpose is to verify the accuracy of candidates’ educational claims and make sure they meet the educational requirements for the position. It is important because it helps employers find qualified applicants, lowers the chance of hiring someone with fake credentials, and keeps the organization’s reputation. It works by calling educational institutions or using databases in order to verify academic records. It impacts applications as any discrepancy between the claimed and verified education leads to disqualification, whereas accurate credentials improve the applicant’s credibility.
5. Right To Work Check
Right-to-work check is a process to verify that a candidate is legally allowed to work in a certain country, making sure that immigration and employment rules are followed. The purpose is to make sure that the person has the right paperwork, like work permits or visas, to legally work. It works by looking over official paperwork like passports, visas, or work permission forms from the government. It impacts applications as candidates who do not have the right paperwork can lead to disqualification, while candidates who have the right paperwork go through the hiring process without any problems.
6. Professional License Verification
Professional license verification is the process of making sure that a job candidate has the right licenses or certifications to work in their field, like medicine, law, or engineering. The purpose is to make sure that the person meets regulatory and competency standards specific to their industry. It is important because it upholds professional standards, and keeps people from getting into trouble with the law for working without a license. It works by checking the candidate’s license information with official licensing boards or organizations. Professional license verification has an effect on applications because candidates with valid licenses show that they are credible and ready for the job, while candidates with expired or invalid credentials show that they are unprepared.
7. Credit Background Checks
Credit background checks involve looking at a person’s credit history to see how responsible and trustworthy they are with money, often conducted for jobs that involve managing money or having access to private information. The purpose is to assess the candidate’s financial behavior, including debt management, payment history, and unpaid debt. It is important for finding possible risks, making sure that people who work with money do so properly, and keeping the company’s assets safe. It works by obtaining the credit record of a candidate from authorized credit bureaus with their permission. Credit background checks impact on applications as a good credit history makes a candidate more desirable, while a bad credit history raises concerns and affects hiring decisions.
8. Reference Checks
Reference checks involve getting in touch with a candidate’s former employer, coworkers, or other professional contacts to find out about their skills, dependability, and work performance. The purpose is to make sure the candidate meets the requirements of the position by checking the information on their resume and during interviews. It is important because it gives feedback from people who have worked directly with the candidate, which helps learn more about their skills and work attitude. It works by calling the candidate’s references and asking specific questions about how they behaved at work and their accomplishments. Reference checks impact on applications as positive references boost a candidate’s credibility, while negative or ambiguous feedback prompts further assessment.
9. Motor Vehicle Record (MVR ) Reports
Motor Vehicle Record reports involve looking at a person’s driving history, including tickets, accidents, and the status of their license. The purpose is to see how a candidate drives and see if they are qualified for jobs that need drivers, like delivery or transportation jobs. It is important for companies to check the driving records of people who want to work for them to make sure they are not at risk of liability for careless driving. It works by getting a copy of the driving record from the appropriate state or city government agency and looking at any violations or suspensions. Motor vehicle record (MVR) reports have an impact on an application because people with a history of major driving offenses are often face reassessment for jobs that require driving.
10. Social Media Checks
Social media checks involve looking at a candidate’s online profile on sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. The purpose is to learn more about a candidate’s character, conduct, and professionalism outside of the formal interview process. It can only flag reportable content in four areas: sexually explicit material, potentially illegal activity, potentially violent activity, and demonstrations of racism/intolerance. It works by looking at publicly available profiles and posts to evaluate how candidates show themselves online.
What Is Pre-Employment Background Checking?
Pre-employment background checking is the process of looking at a job applicant’s past to see if they have the right skills fit for the job. It involves checking a lot of different legal, professional, and personal information, like criminal records, work experience, education, and references. The purpose of pre-employment background checking is to assist employers in making knowledgeable hiring decisions by ensuring the candidate is qualified and meets the company’s standards.
Why Is A Pre-Employment Background Check Important?
A pre-employment background check is important because it helps companies check a candidate’s skills and experience before hiring them. Employers verify that the applicant’s information is correct, such as their criminal history, education, and work history by conducting the check. It lowers the chance of hiring people who have a history of dishonesty, criminal activity, or other things that could impact the company.
How Does Background Screening Impact The Hiring Process?
Background screening enhances the hiring process by providing employers useful information that can have an impact on hiring decisions. Background screening can help reduce the risk of fraud, violence, and employee turnover.
How Do Employers Conduct Background Checks?
Employers do conduct background checks by getting permission from the candidate to look into certain parts of their personal and professional history. The process involves checking the candidate’s criminal history, work history, educational background, credit reports, references, and, if necessary, driving records. Employers do a background check for employment by using outside background screening companies that follow the law, like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
What Does A Background Check Show?
A background check does show a candidate’s criminal history, proof of employment, educational credentials, credit history, driving records, and references. It includes looking at professional licenses, social media accounts, and identity verification. For example, a criminal background check shows any reportable arrests or convictions for crimes, while an employment verification confirms past jobs and length of time worked. Credit checks help figure out how responsible someone is with money, and driving records are important for jobs that require driving.
Should All Employers Do Background Checks?
Yes, all employers must do background checks because they help ensure a candidate’s qualifications for the job and give useful information about their past. Background checks help employers uncover a person’s education, criminal record, work history, and other relevant information that helps them with their hiring decisions. They are especially important in fields like healthcare, banking, and education where safety, trust, and security are very important.
How Can Shield Screening Assist With Background Screening?
Shield Screening can assist with background screening by providing thorough, precise, and on-time reports that make the hiring process go more smoothly. It provides services like identity verification, criminal background checks, employment verification, education verification, and credit verification. Shield Screening offers compliance with legal and regulatory standards while providing flexible screening options tailored to business needs.