What do employers look for in a background check?
Employers can look for a variety of things in a background check including but not limited to education/employment verification, SSN/i9 checks, or prior federal, state, or county convictions. Although employers can customize their background check policies, depending on the industry or state laws, they have to abide by certain practices to maintain compliance.
Are there different types of background checks?
There are two different types of background checks; instant and comprehensive. Instant background checks, also known as “national criminal database searches” provide general information pulled from a commercially available database. These searches aren’t corroborated against any official county court record. Although they are quick, they can often return with error-filled information, since it’s not derived from a verified source. Comprehensive background checks, like DISA’s, involve multiple National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS) FCRA certified employees confirming that all information aligns with the person who is being checked. These individuals also must hold a private investigator license in order to legally be able to research and verify information about the applicant. This process verifies that the information is accurate and is not information from an alias with the same name as the applicant being screened.
How do you do a background check?
An employer must first establish a background check policy with their company. Once implemented, they can begin performing background checks, usually for pre-employment, but sometimes ongoing depending on the position. According to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) § 604 – 15 U.S.C. § 1681b, employers are required to provide applicants with a separate written disclosure, which advises that a consumer report may be obtained for employment purposes. The document must consist solely of the disclosure as a stand-alone document. Additionally, the employer also must obtain the applicant’s written consent to order the background check.
What shows up on a background screen?
Background screenings can vary depending on certain positions, industry standards, and state laws. Background products can include,
• Criminal History Checks (Federal, State, and County)
• Civil Searches (Federal and County)
• SSN Validity Checks
• Employment Verifications
• Education Verifications
• I-9 and E-Verify
• State Driving Records
• Professional Licenses and Credentials
• Credit Reports
• Adverse Action Notices
• Personal Reference Verifications
• Government Sanctions Lists
• Sex Offender Searches
• DOT Testing History
• Criminal Investigative Services