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, employee background checks turn 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.
Whatever the reason, without an in depth pre employment screening process in place, these criminal convictions can be easily overlooked. You are then at the mercy of the applicant to provide you with completely honest answers to their criminal past.
If the applicant is running away or otherwise trying to move on from their past, they are less likely to be completely honest and readily divulge that information to you.
Based off of length of time since the last conviction, or type of criminal conduct, you may still choose to offer employment, even though there was a history found during your employee background checks. That being said, having the full history to know that the last conviction really was ten years ago, and not last month is crucial to making an informed decision.
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
