Employment background checks helps employers make informed hiring decisions. Learn about the process, legal requirements, and best practices.

1. Employment Background Checks –
Everything You Need to Know
As employers seek to hire reliable and competent individuals, employment background
checks have become standard practice. It is a thorough investigation into a candidate’s past
employment, education, criminal record, credit history, and other relevant information. By
conducting these checks, employers can safeguard their businesses and make informed
hiring decisions.
These checks mitigate any potential risks associated with hiring a candidate who may pose a
threat to the organization. Also, it is crucial to adhere to privacy laws and ethical
considerations when conducting background verification. In this article, we will provide an
overview of employment background checks and offer guidance on how to navigate this
critical aspect of the hiring process.
Table of contents
What is an employment background check?
What are the types of background checks?
Background Checks: What Employers Need to Know?
How do pre-employment background checks benefit companies?
What can disqualify you from a background check?
Employment background check FAQs

2. What is an employment background check?
A background check, also called background screening, employer screening, or employment
verification is an investigation conducted by an employer or a third-party screening agency to
verify information about a potential candidate. Background checks are necessary for not only
hiring, but also for employee retention, promotions, reassignments, and more.
The process involves searching for public records, criminal history, credit reports,
employment history, and education records. The goal of these screening processes is to
ensure that a candidate is honest, reliable, and trustworthy. This can be conducted for
various reasons, including compliance with industry regulations, safety concerns, and risk
mitigation. It provides peace of mind and helps to create a safer and more productive work
environment.
What are the different types of background
checks?
Here are the various types of employment background checks commonly used by employers.
1. Criminal background check for employment
Criminal background checks are one of the most fundamental types of employment
screenings. They involve searching for any criminal records associated with an individual.
These checks can reveal details about past convictions, pending charges, or instances of
fraud or theft. Criminal background checks are essential for positions that require a high level
of trust and security, such as finance, law enforcement, and childcare. By conducting criminal
background checks for employment, employers can ensure the safety and security of their
workplace and clients.
2. Employment verification with previous employers
Employment verification is an integral component of the employment background check
process. It involves confirming the accuracy and validity of an individual’s work history and
employment claims. By contacting previous employers or HR departments, employers can
verify details such as dates of employment, job titles, responsibilities, and even performance
evaluations. Employment verification serves multiple purposes, including ensuring that the
candidate’s experience aligns with their resume, validating their suitability for the role, and
assessing their overall credibility.
3. Education verification to check academic background

3. Education verification aims at confirming an individual’s academic background and
educational claims. This verification process involves contacting educational institutions,
such as universities, colleges, or high schools, to authenticate the educational qualifications
stated by the candidate. By verifying details such as degrees earned, majors or fields of
study, graduation dates, and any honors or awards received, employers can ensure the
accuracy of an applicant’s educational background. It helps to validate the qualifications
necessary for a particular role and assess a candidate’s level of expertise.
4. Reference checks
Reference checks involve contacting individuals provided by the applicant as references.
These individuals could be previous employers, supervisors, mentors, or colleagues who can
provide insights into the applicant’s past performance. These conversations provide an
opportunity to gather firsthand information about the candidate’s skills, strengths,
weaknesses, work ethic, character, professional demeanor, and overall suitability for the
position.
5. Professional license and certification verification
For positions that require professional licenses or certifications, employers may conduct
verifications to ensure that candidates possess the necessary qualifications. This verification
typically involves contacting the relevant licensing boards, professional associations, or
certification bodies to ensure the authenticity and validity of the certifications that the
candidate holds. This process helps employers hire candidates who possess the required
expertise and meet industry standards. Conducting this background check can instill
confidence in employers that they are selecting qualified professionals who are capable of
performing their duties competently. Read more...