Pre employment Checks and background screening: common questions

What’s pre employment screening?

Set of actions taken to investigate the backgrounds of potential employees to confirm correctness (precision) of a candidate’s claims (regarding work experience, education, conduct and various other aspects). It also helps in detecting if there is any criminal act, or negligence, lack of education or experience, or to verify any other types of claims.

How Much does a background check cost?

Background screening cost usually depends upon the quantity of work to be done as investigation. For some basic level checks including crimes, offence, arrest information and misbehaviors etc. it might cost between £12- £15 for a county court. On the other hand for deep investigation i.e. credit history check, medical history check or previous employment history check it may cost way more. In this way total cost for background screening per employee will be according to types of screening checks required by an employer. 

How long does it take for pre employment screening?

Background screening on potential employees is a critical element of recruitment process and therefore it must be done with right care. Usually employment screening takes between 1 to 5 days depending upon type of background screening checks required and various other factors.

What do they look for in a background check for a job?

Pre-employment background checks include various aspects about a potential employee including Identity check, right to work check, credit history check, CRB Screening, DBS checks, medical records check, qualification check, driving license and/or passport check depending upon the requirements of the potential employer.

Does background check show employment history?

With background checks an employer finds the best employees after screening criminal records, education check, employment history checks, reference checks etc.

How do employers check employment history?

Commonly its Human resource or Payroll departments through which candidates verify their previous employment. Besides this, social security work history, earning history reports etc. are used to for employment history checks.

Can a previous employer disclose why you left?

There is no restriction on employer for disclosing to another employer about an employee i.e. an employer may or may not disclose why you left, terminated, fired or let go. But if an employer misleadingly reveals that you were fired or quotes some inappropriate reasons for the termination of your job, that might be damaging your reputation, in such cases you can sue that employer for act of defamation.       

Can employers check your degree?

Potential employers can validate candidate’s degree/diploma/credential if they feel it as necessary.

How do you fail a background check?

Causes of failure in background Checks:

Exaggerated experience, education and credentials
Conviction of a crime relevant to the job’s tasks
Committed a crime and applying for a high security clearance job
Having a bad credit history
Having disreputable military discharge on record

How to Pass Background Screening Easily?

By doing a self-background screening earlier

By raising any issues directly with the employer

What shows up on a background check?

Preemployment screening / background checks may include Identity verification, employment history, credit records, driving license, criminal records, qualification confirmation and more as required by the employer.

 How far back do most background checks go?

Mostly, employers request a seven-year history. (Some other may require information up to 10 years, depending upon employer’s policy and job requirements.)

Do employers check references before or after an offer?

Usually employers don’t call references of all applicants rather they’ll call references in case the candidate is the final one or even one of the very few they finalized.

Can an employer refuse to give a reference?

Employers are not bound to give a work reference. They may or may not give reference but if they do, it MUST be reasonable and truthful.