Have you ever wondered how background check companies get all of your information to conduct a pre-employment background check when you receive a new job offer? Well, actually, they get much of it from you.
Think about it. They don’t start from scratch. First, you are asked to authorize them to conduct the background check on you on behalf of your new employer. So, during this process, you’re likely to be asked to complete a questionnaire. This may include requesting your full legal name; any alias or nicknames that you go by; your social security number; your residence(s) over the past three or more years; your educational history; your work history; if you’ve filed for bankruptcy within the last seven years; etc. Once you, the candidate, provides this information, they actually take steps to confirm the information that you provide.
Contrary to popular belief, they don’t access some database that holds all of your information as often as you might think. Yes, because of the nature of their business, they have access to sources of information that you and I would likely not have access to in general; however, they use a lot of publicly-available sites and sources as well.
For example, if you tell me that you have a Bachelor of Science degree from XYZ University and you graduated in 1997, the background check company has a team of agents, one of whom may be assigned to your case file, who reaches out directly to that university to confirm your educational history with that institution. If you state on the questionnaire that you worked for ABC Company from 1/1/2005 to July 31, 2015, the background check company will likely either contact the employer directly or access a consumer report on you through one of the major credit reporting agencies, like Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. What some people don’t realize is that these companies offer more than just credit reporting services. They are a great repository of information on us all, because each time, we apply for any type of credit, our file is updated with the latest version of your employment history; where you live; etc. My husband and I were very surprised that, although we did not apply for any new credit while we lived with relatives after our home sold and we were searching for another one, that our relative’s address was listed in our resident history…if I guess as a result of our temporary mail forwarding request with USPS. Soon, our creditors changed our address to our relative’s address even though we did not request that they do so.
This is why I always stress how important it is to be honest when you are asked such information…even if you have an arrest or conviction in your past. Of course, certain types of offenses will negate your qualification to work with children, the elderly, and/or people with disabilities; however, there are employers who will give you a chance to prove yourself in other areas of expertise that are not directly related to the offense that you committed.
As a hiring manager, some things that we consider when a selected candidate has an arrest or conviction are: length of time since the offense (maybe you made an unwise decision during your younger years); if you’ve stayed out of trouble since then; is the offense sexual in nature or financial in nature. In the last two cases, you would likely find it difficult to land a job working with children, the elderly; the sick; or people with disabilities; or in a position that requires the handling of money…real or virtual. This is when you should be realistic and try to think of another area of professional expertise that you can gain fulfillment from and make great contributions to the company’s success. Who knows, after some time of proving that you are a new person, you may even get the opportunity to work in the area that you have longed to work in, because you will have earned your employer’s trust. So be encouraged.
I hope that you find this information helpful. If so, please scroll down to the bottom of the page and leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.
Until next time, Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
