Using a Third Party Background Check

Job applications and postings contain many important details for applicants to consider. One phrase that individuals might encounter is “third-party background check.” A business may say that an applicant should expect to pass such a check to get a job. Is this process different from a regular background check? What does it mean, and why do employers use them? Here’s our quick look at the essential answers to those questions.

Are Background Checks Run by State?

One of the common points of confusion around background checks is how geography figures into the equation. Contrary to popular belief, there is not one overarching database of criminal history information for the entire country. Instead, criminal history information is scattered throughout the country in different county or federal courts and state repositories. In this post, we will take a closer look at how background checks are run—including county background checks, state background checks, and federal background checks—and at how geography can complicate a screening process.

Why Do Incomplete Background Checks Cause Problems?

Most American employers conduct background checks as part of their hiring approach. According to a survey from HR.com, 96 percent of employers conduct at least one type of pre-employment background check. While this figure makes it seem as if background checks are universal, the caveat is in the wording: “at least one type of background check.” While most employers are running a background check, many still have a problem with incomplete background checks.