The hiring process today can stretch weeks as many companies are requiring multiple interviews and for those that receive the coveted job offer, it may come with a hitch at the end: you must pass a background check before onboarding.
Wait! Why do I need a background check?!
Even if you are the type of person who comes to a complete stop at a 4-way intersection when there are no other signs of traffic, wouldn’t dare go through the 15 items or less line at the grocery store with 16 items in your cart, or even look sideways at removing that mattress tag warning, you still might have some apprehension or unease at the thought of a background check.
While it might seem intrusive, background checks are more common than you think, and there's a good reason that many companies require them.
“Background checks have become a norm in the industry today. As hiring the right candidate is becoming more critical for an organization's success and reputation, companies increasingly prefer conducting background checks before onboarding candidates,” explains Veremark.
A background check is essentially a deep dive into your past, verifying the information you've provided to a potential employer.
It can include searching public records for criminal history, education verification, employment verification, and even financial checks in some cases.
“The last thing you want is to find out that your company has been sued for negligent hiring because of the losses incurred by an employee or that the CEO you hired six months ago did not go to college as stated in his resume,” explains Veremark. “With increasing competition for each job opening, you might come across candidates who may exaggerate certain details, or more importantly, hide information that may be critical. As a result, it is better to perform detailed background checks every time.”
Think of it as a way for your future employer to confirm you're the right fit for the role and to protect their business and customers.
“Always remember, wrong hiring can prove costly to an organization, not only in monetary terms but also for its reputation and standing in the industry,” says Veremark.
Not all jobs require background checks, but some do for very valid reasons.
You do not have to be applying for a job that handles top secret information or work with firearms or heavy equipment to have a background check required.
Here are 10 examples of industries where background checks are common:
Veremark says the reasons that these industries might conduct background checks vary, but some typical reasons include:
So, why are these checks important? Here are some key benefits for employers:
There are even benefits to background checks for job seekers, including:
Do not worry, your future boss doesn't personally dig into your past!
Companies typically outsource background checks to specialized consumer reporting agencies (CRAs) that comply with strict regulations.
These agencies access public records and maintain secure databases for accurate information.
The good news, according to PRT Staffing, is that a company is never going to do a “surprise” or “secret” background check on you.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, job candidates must give prior written consent before employers conduct a background check and have the right to challenge report contents.
What shows up on a background check depends on the job and the level of the check.
Here's a breakdown of common checks and their purpose:
As an individual, you have rights regarding your background checks. You can:
Remember, background checks are an essential part of a responsible hiring process. By understanding their purpose and your rights, you can navigate this common job search hurdle with confidence.
So, take a deep breath, embrace the process, and focus on landing that dream job! And, yeah, you can go ahead and remove that mattress tag – that warning is for the manufacturers, retailers, and distributors, not consumers!