Employee Background & Credit Checks
Employers are using the internet more and more to research potential employee's complete histories. With costs coming down
and the instant access created by the internet, more information is being gathered than ever before. This gives the personnel director
a much clearer view of the potential recruits to help see which one fits best.
There are four checks that can be performed by an employer. They are:
Simple Identity Checking:
This is generally done by all companies to make sure that the person is who they say they are. From the resume they can
gather certain information, such as name, past and current addresses, and marital status. The SSN is also important when
proving citizenship in the US. This helps determine that you are who you say you are.
Criminal Checks:
The information gathered in these checks specifically looks for criminal convictions. It does not include if you were just
stopped by the police. If you have a record, this could preclude you from working at a particular job. Companies or
government organizations, especially those in child care, health services, financial services (due to the volume of money
being handled) and others may want a spotless check. Others may only look for certain types of crime. For instance, a
retail store may have an issue with a conviction for theft, but not for child support rearage. Unfortunately, the past is
what it is and you can't really change it. You can, however, perhaps explain your situation to a potential employer and
see if they can cut you some slack.
Drug Tests
Drug testing is done much more frequently than in the old days for all sorts of positions. It usually involves going to
an assigned lab and putting in a urine sample. The sample is checked for various illegal substances. Coming up positive can
keep you from the job, so it's best to be sober and/or clean when taking the test and at work.
Financial or Credit Checks:
In troubled times, this check has become much more common than it used to be. Companies are using it to gauge personal
responsibility. Do you pay your bills on time? Are you reliable? Many critics point out that just because someone gets
into a financial mess at some point, it may be beyond their control such as a huge hospital bill or something. If they
are unemployed (which is why they are looking for a job), the lack of income may be causing their credit score to stress.
It's an odd catch 22. However, some jobs will let you explain your predicament and can be lenient if they understand what
has happened. Companies where credit checks are taken quite seriously are banks and financial institutions. If you are
handling huge sums of money, the establishment does not want to see people who have low credit scores for fear that they
might be tempted. This isn't usually the case, but it is a factor that they consider when hiring.
So it's best to know your credit score before applying. From it, you can head off any doubts at the pass. This information
is also valuable for fixing your credit, dealing with landlords or rental companies, etc. So it's a good thing to have.
You can get a free report at AnnualCreditReport.com