How Long Do A Background Check Take

Proficient news! You've completed the interview process and your potential new employer has now let you know that they will be running a background check. This likely means yous've been shortlisted as one of the acme candidates for the chore.

Companies run background checks to ensure that their new employees don't accept a criminal record that conflicts with a position's level of responsibility, exposure to assets, and other considerations. Some background checks also verify your work and education history. ResumeSpice editors pick the products and services nosotros write about. When you purchase through our links, we may get a commission.

But how long will this groundwork check take? And when can yous await to hear back from the employer?

Check out our superlative answers for these questions (and find why your background bank check results might be delayed!).

Curious what employers volition see on your background check? You can run your ain groundwork cheque and social media search with services such as Global Groundwork Screening.

How long does a groundwork check take?

The timeline depends on the blazon of background check and the data needed, merely a pre-employment background check typically takes 2 to v business days to consummate .

how long does a background check take

Example of a background check

Several factors determine how fast your background cheque comes back. For instance, if the employer is working manually with a university to access your education records, you might have to await on the procedure.

What shows upward on a pre employment background cheque?

Curious what employers will see on your background check? You can run your own background check and social media search with services such as Global Background Screening. Here'due south typical information that employers can legally review in your background check:

By employment history

Employers want to make certain that y'all worked where and when you say y'all did on your resume (hint: never brand this data upwardly !).

They likewise sometimes check with past employers on your past performance and completed tasks. 53% of all job applications contain inaccurate information so be sure that your resume is e'er authentic to avoid beingness disqualified for a position.

Education

Employers will bank check to ensure that education information matches your resume. They will review things like your diploma, degrees, and years of study with your listed academic organizations.

Every bit with past employment history, ensure that your teaching history is true. Yous might be surprised how often applicants, even senior leadership, intentionally falsify their resumes and lose their positions as a result.

Co-ordinate to Yahoo News , Kenneth E. Lonchar, primary financial officer at Veritas Software, resigned after it was discovered he lied on his resume well-nigh receiving an MBA from Stanford University and accounting degree from Arizona State University.

Similarly, George O'Leary, head football game coach at Notre Dame University, was let go after only five days on the job in 2001. His resume falsely claimed that he had earned a master'south degree from New York Academy and three varsity letters from the University in New Hampshire.

Sandra Baldwin, sometime president of the U.S. Olympic Commission, resigned from her position after a reporter uncovered that Baldwin had earned her degree from ASU and not the Academy of Colorado. Baldwin was aware of the discrepancies, but was too nervous to change the data.

The takeaway? It pays to tell the truth.

Criminal records

Criminal history is normally disquisitional for an employer to review, especially if you're applying for a position in childcare or with the government.

criminal background check

Case of criminal background record

Any blazon of criminal activity volition show upwardly in a background cheque so be upfront about felony and misdemeanor criminal convictions with your potential employer earlier the cheque is run.

Credit report

A credit written report is typically most relevant if you lot're applying for a financial position. Here'due south what your credit report might look like to the employer:

credit report

Example of employment credit report

Negative credit history such every bit a series of bankruptcies can speedily suggest to an employer that you might be a risk in a financial function.

Work eligibility documents

Employers need to ensure that you are who you say you are, and then will ask for documents like a re-create of your driver's license and SSN card. They also want to see if you're authorized to piece of work in the U.Due south.

Providing all of the appropriate documents when requested can speed up the groundwork check process and then be certain to complete every bit apace as possible.

Hint: Other background bank check information can include driving records and social media accounts. It depends on the position and employer.

Why is my groundwork check taking and so long?

Has information technology been a couple of weeks and you lot still haven't heard back about your background check? Don't panic. Here are a few possible reasons for the filibuster:

The third-political party background bank check company has been delayed.
The potential employer HAS received your background check, but hasn't fabricated the final hiring decision.
Some records (due east.g. employment info) aren't matching in your background check and the employer is verifying the information.

For the first reason, the background bank check company might be waiting on, for example, a pending county courthouse record.

For example, if a company needs criminal records from a county without digital resources or a courthouse that's understaffed, the procedure could have longer and you simply accept to play the waiting game.

It's also a waiting game if the employer is completing background checks for multiple candidates. You might accept passed your background check with flying colors, but the employer is looking at other factors like skill gear up before hiring.

Finally, the employer may contact you lot if there are issues with verifying your information or if a photo of an ID, driver's license, or SSN card is missing. Be certain to check your electronic mail (including spam!) to avoid missing background check questions.

Will I be contacted if I pass my background cheque?

Your employer will normally email or call you lot if you successfully pass your background check. Another manner you lot know y'all passed is if you receive the chore offering!

But what if you lot don't go hired? If negative information from the background cheque impacts the hiring decision, the employer is legally obligated, according to The Fair Credit Reporting Human action (FCRA), to provide two notices. You are also entitled to a re-create of the failed study.

The good news is that, if you believe your background cheque to exist incorrect, you tin can contact the background check company. The FCRA also says that employers must provide the candidate with the proper noun, phone number, and concrete accost of the agency producing the background check report.

Provide evidence to the third-political party company and ask for re-investigation. If your show checks out, you tin send the background check to the employer.

Have patience with your background check

A background check is another step in the hiring process that takes time so don't be alarmed if y'all don't hear back immediately. Await a week earlier contacting the potential employer to ask nearly your background bank check. Curious what employers will run across on your background check? You lot can run your own background bank check and social media search with services such as Global Background Screening.

For more than guidance on the hiring and interview procedure, check out our professional resume services here at ResumeSpice .