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Background Checks Unlock Information on Job Candidates
It used to be that the only thing job applicants had to worry about when applying for jobs were resume embellishments being discovered or previous employers giving less-than-stellar recommendations. In a post-911 era, however, employers are screening applicants based on more in-depth detective work. What they may discover are criminal records or serious falsification.
ChoicePoint, a background search firm, says that one-third of job applications feature an intentional error. Roughly 10 percent of job applicants have a criminal history. Proponents of background checks say that they can be a boon to companies, uncovering criminals or those without citizenship papers early on before potential problems could arise. But some say that these checks may unnecessarily eliminate people from job pools because of youthful indiscretions they have already served time for, or as a result of incorrect information on records from identity theft.
In the past, background checks were limited to jobs where security and information about applicants were vital, such as bank tellers, teachers, daycare employees, and defense contractors. However, now many other employers are jumping on the security bandwagon requiring checks. And employment agencies and temp firms are being pushed by their clients to also run security checks on applicants. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also wants to screen millions of people who work in the food business as a precautionary method.
Security checks were once an expensive undertaking, which limited their use. But technology has revamped and streamlined the process. Companies such as American Background Information Services, PeopleSearch.com and Pre-employ.com rely on electronic databases to gather everything from driving records to professional licensing verifications. Background checks can range from $5 to hundreds of dollars depending upon the depth of research.
For individuals currently seeking new work, it is realistic to expect a background check as part of the screening process. Therefore, keep this in mind even if you have nothing to hide.
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