How Long Do Pre-Employment Background Checks Take?

“Employers often use a pre-employment background check to obtain additional information about candidates. If you are being considered for a new position and you’re waiting for a pre-employment background check to be completed, it can be helpful to know what to expect.In this article, we review all the details about background checks, the need for a background check the ideal turn-around time, possible reasons for a delay in background checks, and explore some answers to frequently asked questions about background checks.

What is a background check?

A background check inquires about the authenticity of the information given in a candidate’s resume. During the hiring process, the recruiter ascertains certain factors about the candidate. These factors may include education, past employment history, criminal records, motor vehicle or license record checks, and credit history. In more detail, these factors involve the following:

Identity verification

Identity verification, like many other factors, varies greatly when it comes to turnaround time. Some potential employers might just need your passport or driver’s license details while others may do a thorough investigation through Social Security number tracing.

Employment verification

This kind of check might take two to four days, or maybe more, as the recruiter needs to be in touch with all the past employers or their HR personnel. Thus, the higher the number of jobs the candidate has changed, the more tedious the process becomes.If the candidate has worked in other countries, then the background check might typically take from one to two weeks. The candidate can expect to sign a release form permitting the company to fetch the relevant information.

Academic verification

This check involves matching the educational experience in a candidate’s resume with data from the relevant schools and universities. It can be an arduous task, and it also requires the candidate to sign a release form. This type of background check might take several days.

Criminal checks

The time frame for this check may vary significantly. If a candidate’s criminal history is limited to one state, or one home country, then the check can take one to two business days. However, verifying international records takes much longer. If the candidate has emigrated or worked in different countries, this process can stretch up to, or past, 20 days.

Professional certification verification

This type of check includes verification of any memberships of trade organizations or any certification or license authorization check. Verifying these professional records may take an average of two business days.

Credit checks

This background check seeks an overview of a candidate’s credit history. Typically, it can take around two to four days after verifying details with credit bureaus.

Global watch list checks

This kind of background check is especially pertinent for workers in any level of government position. References for global watch lists are easily available, thus this search might finish in a day.

Driving checks

Your employer is responsible for you due to insurance implications, especially if you are on the road for business purposes. In that case, employers will conduct this type of check to ensure that they hire someone responsible behind the wheel and to lower their insurance costs.

Why do employers use background checks?

The background check is a pre-screening process that can eliminate the chances of hiring an inappropriate employee. Hiring the wrong candidate due to a hasty or inefficient background check can cost the organization in productivity or even an unnecessary lawsuit. Therefore, proper vetting of candidates, once they clear the initial rounds of interviews, is imperative. It also makes sure that employers do not waste time re-hiring for the same position upon learning of disqualifying information after completing the hiring process.

How long does a background check take?

Understandably, candidates might be anxious to know exactly how long employment background checks will take but there may not always be a straight answer. This is because each background check depends on various factors, as explained above. Typically, a background check should take between two and five business days. That said, each individual’s history is different and factors can prolong this timeframe.Fortunately, there are two main ways to prevent delays in the process. First, if the employer and candidate work together diligently to complete the required release forms and authorizations, the process can proceed more smoothly. Second, candidates can prevent delays by ensuring all submitted information is accurate and correct to the best of their knowledge.

Are background check delays possible?

Reasons for delays in the background check process can be foreseeable, and thus, preventable. Other times, they are not foreseeable and simply part of the process. Here are steps candidates can take to prevent delays:

• Provide accurate information. As mentioned above, if the employer transmits inaccurate information to the third-party investigative agency, then the check can take a longer time. Correcting information adds time.
• Sign release forms and authorizations. Signing all release forms is mandatory by law, and it allows academic institutions and past employers permission to quickly release information.

Sometimes, unfortunately, matters are out of candidates’ control. Some of the most common include:

• Multiple residences: If a candidate has lived in many locations or has changed jobs many times, then reference checks can take longer by the nature of needing to check with many sources.
• Lack of a paper trail: Sometimes, educational institutions do not have computerized records, or even worse, they might cease to exist altogether.
• International experience: If the candidate has worked in multiple countries or has studied abroad, then the referral process might take longer than usual.
• Verifying names: As simple as it sounds, confusion with names can cause delays. Providing all known names and aliases for points of contact can help reduce this type of delay.
• Multiple ongoing checks: Many times, delays occur because there is another candidate whose background check is also ongoing, and the employer wishes to have both checks before making an offer.