There’s no doubt that hiring new employees is challenging. Not only do businesses have to conduct multiple interviews, but they also have to make sure candidates are suitable for the job.
What’s more, companies have to maintain a comfortable and safe work environment for their employees. Background checks are an industry standard that can help screen job candidates during the hiring process.
However, a lot goes into a background check, and there are certain things employers can and can’t do when conducting an investigation.
In this post, we’ll clear the air on background checks and discuss the whole process. A lot of the information we use in this post we got at ScoutLogic, a third-party service that conducts background checks for businesses across several industries.
1. What Information Do Companies Check for During a Background Check?
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One of the best ways companies can streamline their application process when taking on new employees is by being transparent about the kind of information they’re checking for during a background check. That said, companies are supposed to inform potential employees about what information they’re gathering if they’re getting a background check from a third party.
However, companies don’t need consent from a candidate if they’re reaching out to previous employees themselves. That’s why it’s crucial for candidates to notify their previous employers, especially if they use them as a reference on their resumes.
Employers are allowed to screen for a wide range of details, such as criminal records, civil lawsuits, educational backgrounds, etc. Regulations may vary depending on the company’s location, especially when searching for any civil suits or bankruptcies. Companies might check medical records, but this can somewhat risky since medical information is commonly kept confidential. What’s more, employers aren’t typically allowed to discriminate against a candidate based on a disability. They can, however, check to see if a job applicant is physically fit to fill the role.
2. How Much Do Background Checks Cost?
Contrary to common belief, background checks are extremely affordable for businesses. However, a company first needs to know what kind of screening they need to run to get an accurate estimate. The good news is companies can choose a third party that fits within their budget.
Depending on the screening, a company can expect to pay anywhere from $15 to $100 per background check. While some companies may consider this expensive, it’s quite affordable compared to hiring a bad candidate. Any company looking to conduct a background check should compare several companies to try and find the most affordable rate.
3. How Long Does a Background Check Take?
Whenever companies are looking to expand their workforce, they want the onboarding process to be as quick as possible to reduce hiring costs. Fortunately, employers can get background checks done faster than ever with help from third-party services. Depending on the type of screening, the typical turnaround type for an employee background check is around 3 business days.
That said, some background checks can take longer due to unforeseen circumstances. The turnaround time can also increase depending on how much information the employer wishes to gather about the candidate.
Final Thoughts
A lot of companies believe they don’t need to run background checks on potential employees. However, all companies can benefit from running checks on job candidates to ensure they’re hiring the best person for the job. One of the best ways to go about getting a background check is to use a reputable third-party service. There are several companies that offer fast and affordable background checks for all types of businesses.