About Pre Employment Background Screening


Depending on your age, you probably remember when pre employment background screening meant that someone checked to be sure that your past job listings are accurate and they may have called a few of your references. Some places would confirm your education, but not all of them were as concerned about that point. Those were the simple days and you always knew what to expect through that type of background screening. Things have changed, and the laws keep changing. These are the things business owners must keep up with today.

The first time I was aware that things were changing was when I went to apply for a job at a bank. I would not have been handling money in any way, shape, or form, as it was a job for an executive assistant. However, when going over what they did for pre employment background screening, they asked me to sign a paper allowing them to find and review my credit report. I was very surprised at first, but after I thought about it, it make a lot of sense for a bank to do this. Many other types of companies have now added this to some of their pre employment background screening as well.

There are some other things that have come up as a part of pre employment background screening that parents love. When anyone is hired by a school system, daycare facility, or any other place that puts someone into contact with young children, there is a search done for a past record of child abuse or sexual misconduct. Those that come up with something on their record through this type of pre employment background screening are automatically eliminated from being hired. If they refuse to give clearance for an employer to do this search, they are not going to get the job.

Depending on where you want to work, your pre employment background screening may also include a check into your criminal history. Most applications ask outright if you have been convicted of a felony. It is always important to be honest about this, as they are going to find out anyway. If you have lied, you are not going to get the job. On the other hand, depending on what you did, being honest about it may mean that you are a good candidate. When asked for this as a part of pre employment background screening, be honest and up front.

The problem with some of this is that the laws in regards to pre employment background screening and records searching are becoming murky. There are some things that are now forbidden in some places, even if the candidate gives written permission for someone to search out this type of information. If you are doing the hiring, make sure you know the laws in your state. If you are looking for work, you should know what someone can ask you for and what they can not.