Background checks have been around since before the internet existed, but they used to take a lot longer than they do now. Today, they rarely take more than a few days, and most of them can be completed in several minutes. There are two types of background check levels, broadly speaking: level 1 and level 2. Level 1 takes a few minutes, while a level 2 background check can take up to a few days.
This article will look at the different types of background checks, what they cover, and the most common reasons to perform one.
Level 1 background checks include criminal records checks, employment history, education history, reference checks, academic verification, and a few other types of screenings. This might or might not be mandatory depending on the position you're applying for.
Most jobs involve criminal background checks, especially jobs in the public sector. High-paying jobs in law and finance understandably require them. Recruiters will check for candidates by name and social security number in court repositories. These searches are common to check for warrants, arrests, or other records. They usually take longer on this level because there aren't many digital databases. The company's third-party background check provider or HR department prepares these reports.
Employment history screening can be a separate report if the job position requires long experience in the sector. The hiring manager contacts the candidate's previous employers to ask about employment start and end dates. They might also ask for a summary of their performance or why the employment ended.
Most candidates provide references when they apply for a job and get an interview. Then, the potential employer or recruiter will carry out verification. Reference checks can also involve verification of work history. The recruiter might contact the people you have as references in your resume by email or phone.
Reference checks can delve into a candidate's personal traits and attitude toward work in general. Employers seek out candidates with qualities like loyalty and reliability. Some employers might even contact the candidate's old coworkers, even though they don't list them as references.
People who apply for teaching jobs will undergo this type of background check. Everyone looking for a job in education has to undergo a verification of their academic credentials, even lecturers and professors. The school studies the candidate's academic records to verify their academic achievements.
The academic verification can extend to any awarded degrees, patents held, or academic scholarships. To carry one out, the prospective employer will get in touch with the school the candidate graduated from by phone or email. They can sometimes do this online, but it is not very common because not all schools hold online academic records.
Your prospective employer might want to check your credit score. Financial background checks are usually done during the trial period. A credit score check will reveal financial data like mortgages, credit cards, or consumer loans. It might show outstanding debt and past bankruptcies.
The hiring manager might want to check how a candidate manages their social media accounts if the job involves managing a firm's profiles on various social networks. Therefore they will turn special attention to what type of content the candidate shares.
This type of background check intends to establish if the candidate's behavior aligns with the prospective employer's ethics or brand image.
People who apply for jobs in healthcare are always subject to drug screening. As medical staff usually have access to prescription medication, it's important to screen for incidences of misuse. Thus, employees in healthcare might have to undergo regular drug testing, including urine and blood tests.
Level 2 checks are fingerprint checks, which are only done in Florida. The background screening service runs the subject's fingerprints through the state and federal databases to check for prior offenses. This check differs from a level 1 screening in that the latter only requires the candidate's name and some additional personal details.
However, level 2 checks are not compulsory. They are only if you're applying for a job that comes with high responsibility. This could be a very well-paid position or a job that involves working with vulnerable populations or valuable assets.
