Behind the Scenes of Background Checks: What Employers Want to Know

Employers are often faced with the challenge of selecting the right candidate from a pool of applicants. To aid in their decision-making process, employers often turn to a crucial tool - background checks. These checks go beyond a quick look at a candidate's past, providing information that significantly influences hiring choices.

Behind the scenes, employers have clear expectations and specific goals in mind. Background checks offer a detailed view of an individual's history, helping employers evaluate their suitability, credibility, and potential risks. So, what do employers seek in a background check?

The Purpose of Background Checks

Background checks are an essential component that is a crucial tool for employers in the hiring process. They go beyond the initial impressions made by applicants on their resumes and during interviews.

Instead, they provide employers with a deeper understanding of a candidate's history, helping them make more informed decisions when selecting the right individual for a job role.

Assessing Suitability

One of the primary objectives of a background check is to assess an applicant's suitability for a specific job. Employers want to ensure the candidate possesses the necessary skills, qualifications, and experience to excel. This helps match the right person to the right position, reducing the likelihood of a hiring mismatch.

Verifying Credibility

Background checks also play a role in verifying an applicant's credibility. Employers need to be able to trust the individuals they hire. These checks often include verifying an applicant's identity, confirming the accuracy of the information on their resume, and ensuring they have no history of dishonesty or fraudulent activities.

Identifying Potential Risks

A critical aspect of background checks is identifying potential risks. Employers need to ensure that the individuals they hire do not pose a threat to their organization, employees, or customers. This involves investigating an applicant's criminal history and searching for red flags that might indicate past misconduct.

What Do Employers Look For in a Background Check?

Employers rely on background checks to comprehensively depict a candidate's past and suitability for a particular job role. To understand what employers look for, let's explore the specific areas of focus within a background check:

Criminal History

One of the central elements of a background check is an individual's criminal history. Employers want to ensure that the candidates they hire do not have a record of criminal activity that might pose a threat to the workplace, its employees, or its customers. This part of the check may reveal information about past convictions, arrests, or pending legal matters.

Employment History

Employment history is another crucial aspect. Employers seek to verify a candidate's work experience and check for any inconsistencies in their employment record. It helps confirm that the individual has the necessary skills and experience for the job.

Educational Qualifications

Educational qualifications also come under scrutiny in a background check. Employers want to confirm that a candidate possesses the academic qualifications they claim. This may include verifying degrees, certifications, and the institutions attended.

Reference Checks

Reference checks are vital in understanding a candidate's past performance and character. Employers often contact previous employers or provide references to gather insights into applicants' work ethic, interpersonal skills, and reliability.

Credit History (Where Relevant)

A candidate's credit history may be examined in certain industries, especially if the job involves handling financial matters. Employers are interested in a person's financial responsibility and reliability.

Can You Run a Background Check on Anyone?

One common misconception about background checks is that they can be conducted on anyone at any time without constraints. However, the reality is far more nuanced.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

Running a background check on someone is subject to various legal and ethical considerations. It's important to understand that you can't run a background check on anyone without their knowledge or consent. Laws and regulations governing background checks vary by location, but they often require the individual's informed consent to conduct such an inquiry.

Permissible Reasons for Background Checks

Background checks are generally allowed for specific, legitimate purposes such as pre-employment screening, tenant screening, and financial lending decisions. For instance, employers, landlords, and financial institutions have valid reasons for conducting background checks as they pertain to risk management and responsible decision-making.

Personal Use vs. Professional Use

The ability to run a background check for personal reasons, like investigating a potential romantic partner or neighbor, is often restricted or illegal without the person's consent. While some online services claim to offer comprehensive background checks, these services usually rely on publicly available information. They may not provide the same depth as professional checks conducted for employment or housing purposes.

Compliance with Privacy Laws

Compliance with privacy laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the United States, is essential. These laws govern the collection and use of consumer information and require strict adherence to guidelines when conducting background checks. Failure to comply with these laws can lead to legal consequences.

Can Background Checks Reveal Previous Employers?

Background checks are thorough investigations into a candidate's history, and the question of whether they can reveal previous employers is a common one. Let's delve into the details:

Verification of Employment History

One of the primary purposes of a background check is to verify a candidate's employment history. Employers want to confirm the accuracy of the information provided on the resume. This includes details of previous employers, job titles, dates of employment, and reasons for leaving.

Employment history background checks help employers ensure that a candidate's work experience aligns with their qualifications.

Reference Checks

While not always a part of a standard background check, reference checks are often conducted separately to gain insights into a candidate's past job performance. Employers may contact former supervisors or provide references to inquire about applicants' work ethic, skills, and character. This step provides a more comprehensive view of a candidate's previous employment.

Privacy Considerations

It's essential to understand that revealing previous employers during a background check must adhere to privacy considerations and legal regulations. Employers must obtain the candidate's consent to contact former employers and use the information gathered responsibly. This ensures that the process respects the candidate's privacy rights.

Final Thoughts

Background checks are indispensable tools for employers to make informed and secure decisions. From confirming qualifications to assessing trustworthiness and safeguarding the workplace, these checks offer information crucial for a successful hiring process.

If you're looking to simplify the background check process and ensure it's conducted professionally and ethically, consider the services of People Whiz. Their expertise in conducting thorough and lawful background checks can help you find the right candidates for your organization while respecting privacy and legal regulations.