How to Prepare for a Background Check During COVID-19

July 21, 2020 Accurate Background

As businesses begin to reopen, companies will start to hire. With more than 40 million unemployed in the United States as a result of the COVID pandemic, many people are applying for jobs, perhaps for the first time in a long time.

In that situation, it might come as a shock when their prospective employer performs a pre-employment background check.

Preparing for a Background Check During COVID-19

Candidates who’ve never had a background check might find the idea a bit uncomfortable. However, it’s actually a good thing.

When a company asks a candidate to complete a background check, they are saying, "we want to take the next step in hiring you." That's a positive move towards a new job.

But background checks don’t work like police shows on TV. A person’s history isn’t kept in one central database and doesn’t magically appear with a few keystrokes. The elements of a background check are gathered from multiple sources and depend upon the types and number of searches conducted.

Other factors include how quickly data sources such as courts, schools, references, and other sources respond to requests for information.

The number of places the candidate has lived, worked, gone to school, and other variables also affect the time a background check may take.

One thing that helps is preparation. When candidates are proactive about the things they need to provide, the background check process runs more smoothly.

Checklist: How to Prepare for a Background Check

We’ve provided a handy checklist of things a candidate can do to prepare for a background check, but keep in mind: these are things a basic background check may require.

Depending on the role and industry, other searches might be added, such as sanctions, drug, and health testing, motor vehicle records, and credit checks, to name a few and may require additional documents.

Download “How to Prepare for a Background Check” today and discover helpful and timely tips to help expedite the background check process.

And for more information and resources to help your business hire, and thrive, during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.