It’s a good question. Simply put, “Are you hiring the right candidates?” Here at GroupOne Background Screening, we like to consider ourselves your defense system when hiring a quality workforce.
To make sure you’re using background screenings to your advantage, we decided to put together a “Pre-Employment Checks 101” blog. In this post, we’re going to attempt to answer the most common questions we receive, a list of FAQs if you will. Let’s take a stroll down Background Check Lane.
What is Background Screening?
It’s the investigation of an applicant’s history. The main goal is to verify their resume and identify red flags. The most efficient screening can include:
- Employment history: Verifying past job titles and employment dates.
- Education history: Confirming degrees and diplomas.
- Criminal records: Searching for convictions or arrests for crimes.
- Credit history: Assessing financial responsibility, especially for positions involving money.
- Driving records: Checking for violations, relevant to roles requiring driving.
- Professional licenses: Verifying the status and validity of professional licenses.
How long does a Background Check take?
We would love to provide instantaneous results, but a good, quality background check takes a bit more time. It usually depends on the complexity of the check. Here at GroupOne, we are efficient, but we are also cautious. It usually takes 3-5 business days for a basic check. More detailed checks including verifications from out-of-state and international sources may take longer.
How far back does a Background Screen go?
How far back we go depends on several factors:
- Legal regulations: Some locales restrict how far back a search can go.
- Policy: Each company sets its standards for how far back the search goes.
- The Position: High-risk jobs require a more thorough investigation.
Background checks usually go back 7-10 years for employment history and education verification. Criminal record searches can cover a wider timeframe.
What is Pre-Employment Background Screening used for?
Pre-employment background screening helps employers:
- Verify applicant information. Ensure the accuracy of a candidate’s resume.
- Identify risks. Reduce the chance of hiring someone with a history of fraud or abuse.
- Make informed hiring decisions. Gain insights to choose the most qualified candidate.
- Promote safe work environments. Reduce the risk of workplace violence or fraud.
Is Drug Screening part of a Background Check?
Drug screening is not always included in background checks. It’s a separate service some employers choose to use with background checks.
What Information is included in a Background Check?
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates what’s included in a background check. It includes:
- Permissible Information: Employment history, education verification, criminal records and professional licenses. It may also include public records like bankruptcies.
- Off-Limits Info: Race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, genetic information, disabilities, arrests not leading to convictions and certain medical information.
What should I expect from a Background Check?
GroupOne’s background checks can be complex documents. Here’s what to expect:
- Summary of Findings: A detailed overview of the information discovered during the investigation.
- Verification Results: A breakdown of each verification source. This includes contact information for past employers or educational institutions.
- Public Record Hits: Details of criminal records or other relevant public data found.
- Disclaimer: This clarifies the limitations of the report. It also emphasizes that it shouldn’t be the sole factor in hiring decisions.
Please do not hesitate to contact us here at GroupOne should you have questions as we are here to serve you!