An increasing number of employers are requiring job applicants to complete a background check before they can be hired. For many employers, the background check is the last step of the hiring process. Making sure that the applicant is qualified, and is who they claim to be, is important to a business for a variety of reasons.
There are many industries that require background checks. Here, let’s look at some of the most common and why background checks are even more important in these fields.
Industries that Require Background Checks
While not every company performs verification screening, there are a few industries that almost always require background checks to be completed by every applicant. These industries require employees to have access to financial or confidential information or are required to care for others. Job seekers who are looking for a position in one of these industries should be prepared to have a background check conducted:
Education
Education workers are responsible for working with children and teenagers and must create a safe environment for the students. Teachers, administrators, bus drivers, custodians, teacher’s aides, and office assistants must all pass a background check. Most often, a criminal check is part of the process for those who are working in education.
Healthcare
Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals must undergo a comprehensive background check. These screenings verify education, work experience, and medical licensing and certification. Hospitals and healthcare organizations need to confirm that all healthcare providers are qualified to care for others.
Government
Any person that wants to work in the government must pass a thorough background check. Federal jobs, especially those that require a security clearance, include both a criminal and credit check. Candidates for government jobs can be subject to a national criminal database check and a federal criminal database check. The national criminal database allows for an expanded scope of the background check. The federal criminal database takes records from all U.S. federal courts and checks to see if violations have been made.
Finance
Employers do not hire in this industry without a background check. In addition to checking criminal history for fraud, embezzlement, or theft, companies in this sector also look extensively into credit history to ensure that the prospective employee is responsible and trustworthy. This is particularly important in those financial positions that are handling large sums of money.
IT
Anyone who has access to a company’s finances should be thoroughly checked. Computer data includes contact lists, electronic data, and finance. Computer specialists and IT managers are usually subject to stringent background checks.
Should My Industry Consider a Background Check?
If your business is not using a background check as a part of the hiring procedure, it might be worth considering. The Society for Human Resource Management estimates that the average cost per hire is $4,129. Since you are investing so much in one new hire, you need to make sure that it is the right new hire. If the employee is not a good fit, and the hiring process has to start again, it means that even more resources have to be used to start the process all over.
There are many parts of a background check that can be utilized, and depending on your industry, you may prioritize one over another. For example, a sales position that involves driving might include reviewing the motor vehicle record to see if the candidate has any DUIs. As an employer, you are responsible for ensuring that employees are in a safe working environment. Running a verification check provides insights into an applicant’s history.
Today’s Telework Environment
There is another reason that companies that are not currently using background checks as part of their hiring process should consider doing so. Because of the current COVID-19 situation, employers are limiting in-person interviews during the hiring process. Instead, they are preparing for a remote workforce with new policies for this changing environment.
Employers should consider ongoing monitoring of their workforce. For example, being aware of newly filed criminal charges can mitigate risk to the organization even if the worker is offsite. A background check alerts an employer to any offenses.
At a time when most companies are looking to save on costs, hiring the correct candidate can save your company money by reducing the turnover rate. Many industries regularly conduct background checks as part of their hiring process. Contact DataCheck today to talk about the benefits of adding a verification check, especially in today’s remote work environment.