Published: September 20th, 2008
What Is A Background Check
By, Ryan Sommers
Consumers-Guides.org
A background check has become a norm these days. It is an investigation process that involves looking up public, commercial and financial records related to a specific individual. Typically, background checks are done on the instance of employers who need such information about a job applicant that may not be readily available. This is more relevant to job positions that involve high security levels or are related to a position of trust like that for a bank, school, hospital, airport, law enforcement work etc. Traditionally a background check was part of police work but now it is done as a business activity by various companies that specialize in providing such a service to employers who want to employ people with clean records. The information contained in a background check report includes details of past employment, credit and criminal history. The checks carry a high level of importance as they allow employers to take an informed decision over less subjective evaluations with respect to a prospective employee. Background checks, however, expose a person to risks of improper and illegal discrimination, privacy violation and identity theft.
Basically a background check provides a character profile of a person based on his past actions and available records with respect to his professional financial, criminal and public history that may include comprehensive information covering jail terms, police custody, bankruptcy, employment history and even speeding tickets. When you apply for a job your prospective employer is sure to get your background screened in order to find out whether your professional or criminal background suffers flaws that makes you undesirable to be accepted as an employee. In case you have made several job changes within the last one-year it may be a clear signal to your future employer that the chances of your sticking to the new position for long are also remote.
Your criminal record also has great significance for your employer. If you have a negative criminal record it may deter your future employer from hiring you. If your new job involves working with children a background check becomes imperative to prove that you have never committed an offence against a minor. Job applications usually contain a section that requires filling in information about the criminal background of the applicant. It is better for applicants to be totally honest in furnishing this information, as the employer will anyways come to know of the actual details through the background check report.
Landlords also use background checks to verify tenant background to decide upon the desirability of renting out houses and apartments to prospective tenants. If the check report reveals that the would be tenant has a criminal record it indicates a possibility that he may create problems with neighbors and the landlord may find himself with a serious mess on his hands to deal with.
Often, background checks are conducted due to personal reasons. Several dating sites suggest that women conduct a background check done before entering into a relationship or even consenting to a date for the first time for reasons of safety.
Nowadays there are several private companies offering background check services to any one who wants a check done. The coverage of investigative information varies from one company to the other and also depends on the price charged for the service. Online background checks can be done quickly and cost very little but provide just basic information. Comprehensive background checks take much longer and may cost several hundred dollars.
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