Questions About Background Checks
How long does a background check take?
That depends on the components ordered and what type of check you are doing. For employment purposes a background check can take anywhere from 24 hours to 1 week. Our company generally gets a background check request back to the client within 48 to 72 hours. That would include a criminal record check, motor vehicle report, employment verification, and education verification.
What is included in a background check?
Well, that also depends but if you are applying for a job I would at least count on having a criminal record check and previous employment check conducted. Many companies are also now conducting more in-depth checks that include credit checks, motor vehicle records, education checks and even personal reference checks. It really depends on the type of job you are applying for. Warehouse workers would have a less rigorous check than say someone applying to be an accountant.
How is a criminal records check done?
When you are applying for a job, criminal record checks can be conducted in a few different ways. At the very least the company will conduct a felony conviction check. This will usually be at the county courthouse in the area you live. The next level of check is a felony/misdemeanor check. This type of check will usually be in the county of your residence for the felony component and in the city in which you live or the county seat located within the county where you live for the misdemeanor component. The best way to conduct the check is by using a Social Security Number Trace and conducting multiple felony and misdemeanor checks for all of your previous residences. You can even go a step further and check all the counties and county seats that lie adjacent to your current residence and all previous residences. This type of check is probably the most accurate type of criminal background check you can do. It costs a bit more, but can be very revealing for the company that conducts it.
Should I tell the company I am applying at about my previous criminal history?
The short answer is yes! Having a previous criminal conviction doesn’t necessarily disqualify you for a job. Most people make mistakes in their lives and many companies realize this. If you made a mistake, explain the situation and give your side of the story. If the company finds out about it on their own you made no offer of explanation it will look bad for you. Lying on an application will almost never get you a call back interview.
October 2nd, 2007 at 3:59 pm
I do believe it is fair because the law and society holds employers responsible for whom they hire. Negligent hiring is at an all time high, share holders demand accountability, employees and customers deserve a secure workplace. I mean let’s be completely honest, all things being equal would you rather hire someone with a criminal record or without? Meaning, if the applicants both had the same qualification and had applied for the same position.
October 4th, 2007 at 11:41 am
I guess your right Crimcheck its really important to find out whom you employed. In a company thats needed.