Employment Background Checks
A background check will not typically happen until after you accept the job offer as the employer will defer the cost until they know that you have accepted the job offer (it will be one of the contingencies to your employment).
- Though the job offer will most likely be contingent on the backgrond check.
- Federal law does not prohibit employers from conducting background checks before an offer of employment is made.
Companies will verify certain information during the interview process as well as use tools to further validate your fit for the role to increase their level of confidence when making a hiring decision.
Having some understanding of background checks is good to have as the more you know about your rights the better and the more confident you will feel throughout the hiring process.
Areas of a Standard Background Check
Social Security Number (SSN) Trace
A SSN trace is a pre-discovery tool that can alert an employer of areas for a deeper dive.
Sign up and subscribe to view the actual information returned in an SSN trace search.
Public Records
A public records search will screen records such as (depending of the scope of the role you are applying):
- Motor vehicle records
- Driving history
- Credit history
- Bankrupty records
- Workers' compensaton records
- Civil records
- Medical records
Sign up and subscribe to view the actual information returned in a public records search.
Criminal History
A criminal history screening will check various records local, state, federal/national and even international databases (depending on the role). Some screenings in this categaory will even require you to submit your fingerprints.
Sign up and subscribe to view the actual information returned in a criminal history search.
Controlled Substances
These screenings will be done by a health care provider to insure that your employment complies with the company-wide polices on illicit substances.
Credentials Verification
Depending on the role you are applying, this portion of the screening is to verify that you have the educational/traning that is required/listed in the job description.
Sign up and subscribe to view the actual information returned in a education verification search.
ADDITIONAL information about background checks can be researched in more depth at: