Key Components of a Pre-Employment Background Check

Pre-employment screening involves verifying the information provided by job candidates in their applications and resumes, including their criminal history. Employers use this process to determine if a prospective employee is experienced, skilled, and trustworthy enough to handle the position for which they’re being considered.

Advantages of Pre-Employment Screening for Employers

Through pre-employment screening, employers can discern if a job candidate has:

• A criminal record

• Criminal propensities or character flaws that could endanger other employees and customers

• A tendency to negatively impact the business

Employers often use multiple pre-employment screening solutions to ensure candidates are qualified not only in experience but also in character.

Critical Components of Pre-Employment Screening

1. Criminal Records Check Conducting a criminal records check involves reviewing records from various sources, including county, state, and federal records centers. A comprehensive criminal records screening includes:

   • Nationwide Criminal Records: This extensive database contains millions of criminal records from various sources across the U.S., including municipal, district, circuit, and superior courts, U.S. Customs, Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Corrections, and the Department of Justice, among others.

   • Federal Criminal Records: This repository is comprised of records on individuals involved in federal offenses like bank robbery, interstate drug trafficking, embezzlement, etc. Federal case records are maintained separately from state and county case records.

   • Statewide Criminal Records: This search covers felonies and misdemeanors within a given state. Its precision and timeliness depend on how promptly records are reported by courts, law enforcement agencies, and correction facilities.

   • County Criminal Records: This search includes offenses committed within a municipality or county, providing the most accurate and up-to-date case records.

2. Sex Offender Registry Checking the sex offender registry helps protect employees and customers from predators and sex offenders. This search is crucial when hiring candidates who will work with vulnerable populations, such as children or the elderly.

3. Motor Vehicle Records For positions involving the operation of company motor vehicles, it's essential to obtain driving records that include accidents, license suspensions, and traffic violations. This helps avoid negligent hiring.

4. Employment Verification Verify the information provided by applicants in their resumes and job applications. Employment verification checks the accuracy of details such as dates of employment, job titles, and other relevant information.

5. Interviews with Past Colleagues and References A reference check allows the employer to delve deeper into a prospective employee’s abilities, work ethic, attitude, and skill sets by interviewing former colleagues, supervisors, and other references.

6. Education Verification Education verification is particularly crucial, especially for entry-level positions where a degree and academic performance are significant to the job.

Ensure you hire the most qualified candidates by having your applicants screened by the professionals at Phoenix Global Employment Screening.

Call us at 1-888-889-PGES (7437).