What do employers look for in a background check?

michr

Most employers don't do a credit check but many people think they do because they don't actually read the release they signed when a background check was done for their job.
Background checks and credit checks are both covered by the same law the "Fair Credit Reporting Act" and as such you must sign a release and the release has the same disclaimer as a credit check does.

Many of the employers who do credit checks as a part of an employment screen have nothing to do with finances, a credit check is not used to see a credit score but rather to see the applicants spending habits, propensity to live beyond their means, budgeting and long term goal planning, commitment and reliability. All of these things are factors in the type of employee someone will be.

When a background check is done the employer must provide you a copy if you request it
AND
If they intend to make a derogatory decision based on the report they MUST give you a copy and allow you to dispute the findings prior to that decision being made.

MOST background checks use public records for the name, aliases, address, former address, driverâ€™s license/ID number and social security number that are provided on the release form. They will look for convictions, settlements, judgements, social security number activity, state issued licensures and certifications, abuse registries etcetera. How much detail that is provided depends on the particular service that is used.

Some employers for some jobs actually use services that do interviews and on the ground inspections/investigations as well as fingerprint checks and more detailed criminal histories.

Chuckie O

The employer's main concerns are, can you do the job? Will you fit in to the "corporate culture"? Will there be problems with this person?

The background check will mostly check the third question. Problems in the background may mean problems in employment.

In some states (I know of at least one state) where the person is dealing with money, like a bank, etc., the employer is required to do a credit check. I got "credit checked" for this reason, even though I was just temping.

Otherwise, the employer will weigh the additional cost of the credit check versus the expected benefit. I believe it is fairly standard to have a credit check for "high-level" positions, but the run-of-the-mill employees not usually.

hrlady96

Unless you are applying for a job in Finance or a position with other financial responsibility, they won't check your credit or turn you down based on credit alone.

As for the criminal part, it sounds like you needn't worry.

miko

Employers tend to look at your credit if the job entails dealing with money. Most of the time they are looking to see if you have a felony.

Ignatz D

It depends on the employer. Some government agencies and high paying law firms and the like will go so far as to interview neighbors, family and friends. The most that is typically done is a credit check, felony check, and sometimes misdemeanors will show up also. Most employers will understand a bad credit score due to a divorce, what they usually look for is debts and bankruptcies.

conshy3

Here at Cinco, we check credit AND criminal records. If EITHER are not pristine, we pass on the candidate. We are pretty important though.

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