When conducting thorough criminal background checks it is important to get the applicant’s address history for the period of time you want to check. This is typically anywhere from five to ten years, depending upon the position they are applying for.
Even though criminal convictions are public record, not all convictions are stored in a national database. That means you would have to contact every single county an applicant had lived in to verify if there was or was not a criminal record. Without the address list, it would be close to impossible to garner accurate criminal background checks.
While you would hope that an applicant who has had several addresses- in particular in several different counties or states had moved for valid reasons- such as job transfers with previous employers, not every move by every applicant is that legitimate.
Frequently, pre employment screening turns up criminal convictions for potential employees who have moved because they are trying to cover up previous mistakes.
Some job candidates with a criminal past fear they will be misjudged by their mistakes and look to start a new life somewhere else. Others are trying to escape neighborhoods or groups of people that will continue to drag them down the road of criminal activity. Some cannot find employment or opportunities where they have been convicted and go someplace else (out of state family an friends) who can help them shed their criminal pasts and stigmas.
To purchase Pre-Employment Screening Services or for more information on background check experts, background checks, criminal background checks, employee background checks or pre employment screening contact us at the background check company or call 1.770.426.0547
