Do you know what to expect when applying for a new job? Most job seekers are under the impression that employers only check the references listed on your resume or application. This is an inherently false assumption. A recent People Search News article reported that more than 80% of all business now performs comprehensive background checks on all potential employees, compared to less than half that number 10 years ago. Also, the size of the business does not necessarily determine if a pre-employment background check will be performed.
“Many companies, regardless of size, now use online data brokers to perform background checks on employees. Employers can get a comprehensive background report in less than a minute for under $40. This is not only cost-effective, but extremely convenient,” said People Search News.com editor Guy Dubleche.
Employers can also not rely wholly on the interview process or references listed on a resume or job application to gauge a prospective employee. Therefore, a majority of employers are using online background checks to gauge a prospective employee’s character and work ethic before making the decision to hire them.
What is in a Background Check?
First off, many people like to associate the term “background check” with criminal records. True, if a person does have a criminal background that information is likely to show up on a background check, but a comprehensive background check contains much more information than that.
According to the Web employers can obtain the following information when performing a background check:
· Age
· Addresses and phone numbers (20 year history)
· Real property ownership
· Aliases and maiden names
· Known associates
· Possible relatives
· Neighbors
· Marriage and divorces
· Bankruptcies and liens (judgments)
· National criminal records
· Employment history
How do Employers use this Information?
Employers use the information in background reports to get a picture of your character and trustworthiness. Besides the basics like past salary verification, work history and address history, employers can make general assumptions about your character based on information found in a background check. For instance, bad credit or late payments may lead some employers to believe that you are un-reliable. Also, employers may look at your address history and work history to determine if you are stable individual.
