The decision to hire an employee can have a large impact on your business if it is not handled correctly. You should do a background check before hiring a candidate to ensure you hire the best possible candidate.
The history of employment, education, and criminal activity gathered by background check companies are verified. Businesses of all sizes have access to a wide variety of background check companies, each with its own set of services and capabilities.
If you are interested in a background check company, this company can be the right place.
With this guide, we’ll take you through everything you need to know about employee background investigations and how to select one. For companies we recommend for your business, visit our best picks page if you already know what you’re looking for.
In what ways do background checks differ from criminal background checks?
A pre-employment background check can give employers important information about a candidate’s past, which may affect whether he or she is a good fit for the job.
An array of screening solutions is available from pre-employment background check companies. Within a few days, investigators verify important details of someone’s background using a variety of search methods, including online databases and courthouse visits. The Internet provides instant results, but they cannot be used for pre-employment purposes. Be wary of websites that offer instant results.
An agency that is compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is the best choice. FCRA requires background checks to be conducted with the candidate’s consent and with the candidate being given the opportunity to review the results. If you use online background check websites that do not adhere to the FCRA, you could be sued and fined.
Background checks are typically requested via a cloud-based system, which allows employers to review the results online. The search process generally takes between one and five days for an agency to complete a report. There are agencies that offer pre-set plans, agencies that offer a la carte options, and agencies that offer both.
What is the cost of an employment background check?
The price for an employment background check depends on the type of search you need. There is no industry-standard fee for conducting employment background checks. A report is usually charged per background check.
You can conduct multiple screenings and checks through some companies’ bundled plans, while you can conduct them independently. They typically offer a few different packages among those who offer preset background screening plans.
In this section, you’ll find an average of what services are usually included in basic, mid-tier, and premium-tier plans and what the average cost is for each plan, based on the provider you choose.
To cover the cost of account verification, some agencies charge one-time setup fees ranging between $25 and $50.
Occasionally, third-party fees will apply to specific checks, such as education and employment verifications, court fees, and drug testing. Each state and provider charges differently.
We found that most companies offer pricing on their websites, but some don’t, because they offer screenings that can be combined. A representative will need to contact you for a quote in these cases.
Background checks are used as part of a company’s hiring process. If your company orders multiple reports per year, you might be able to get a bulk discount. You should ask the company about the bulk discount if you qualify.