Hiring with High Standards: The Basics of Background Checks

July 31, 2024

When hiring new employees, conducting thorough background checks is crucial for ensuring workplace safety and integrity. Today, we’re breaking down what you need to know about our background check components. 

Criminal Search

• County: Searches records in a specific county.
• Statewide: Covers all counties within a single state.
• Federal: Examines records from specific federal districts (e.g. a district-wide search).
• National: A broad search that spans multiple databases across the country.

Motor Vehicle Records (MVRs)

• These checks provide a history of a person’s driving records, typically going back three years, essential for roles that involve driving.

Verifications

• Employment: Confirms a candidate’s past job history and experiences.
• Education: Validates degrees and certifications from educational institutions.

Drug Testing

• Tests can vary from simple panels to comprehensive ones, including rapid and oral drug testing. These ensure that the workplace remains drug-free.

Additional Items to Remember

• Name spelling/order: Searches are conducted by name so best practices dictate avoiding nicknames. 
• Accuracy in information: Ensures the process is efficient, saving on costs for re-runs. Using our QuickApp service means no missed signatures. 

FAQs

• How long does a background check take? Typically, it takes 2-3 business days, depending on specific factors like county and commonality of your job candidate’s name.
• What is the cost of a background check? Costs vary greatly based on the required services and the state where they are performed. For instance, an MVR for Iowa will vary in price from an MVR in Illinois. 
• What records are NOT reported? Non-conviction court records such as dismissed, dropped, abandoned, and nolle prosequi cases are not reported, though pending and deferred judgment cases are.
• How far back do searches go? This can also vary. For example, a standard MVR covers three years, whereas criminal searches usually look back seven years.
• How are criminal records confirmed? We require at least two identifiers to confirm a record, typically a full name match and date of birth. This allows us to ensure accuracy. 
• Why do some searches take longer? Factors include the commonality of the name and whether records are digital or paper-based.
• Recommended searches? Our basic criminal package is often a good starting point for comprehensive insight but, for a personalized recommendation, give us a call to walk through your needs. 
• What guidelines do you adhere to? We adhere to all federal, state, FCRA, and EEOC guidelines.

Background checks are a pivotal part of the hiring process, ensuring that new hires meet your company’s standards for security and integrity. Working with us means accuracy, efficiency, and choosing the right checks to match your specific hiring needs. Let Per Mar Security serve as a true extension of your recruiting team!