| The hiring process in the United States is a stressful | | | | employers may choose to perform a background |
| process for many people in the United States. People | | | | check. For example |
| very sincerely want to get jobs so that they can live a | | | | - the nature of the job may require a background |
| good life. Also, there is often a lot of competition that | | | | check. For example, if someone is applying to be a |
| candidates for a job face. Thus, it is not surprising that | | | | teller in a bank but in the past was criminally charged |
| candidates will do what they can to present | | | | with robbing a bank, then that person would not be |
| themselves in a positive light. Because of their desire | | | | appropriate for the job of teller. A background check |
| to get jobs, they may not be completely honest or | | | | would allow the hiring bank to find out this information. |
| direct about their history and abilities. | | | | - it may be extremely important to judge the |
| To assess whether or not an individual is appropriate | | | | responsibility of an individual. If a job requires managing |
| for a position, employers conduct interviews. But of | | | | a lot of money but a potential candidate has a poor |
| course, it is in interviews (and on resumes) that people | | | | credit history, then it is likely that the individual may not |
| exaggerate their talents and past. To get a more | | | | manage the company's money well since she could |
| objective and honest and a more behind-the-scenes | | | | not manage her money well. |
| understanding of a potential employee, employers also | | | | Job candidates should keep in mind that employers |
| conduct background checks. In a background check, | | | | have to obtain their permission to perform background |
| employers can request a variety of information. They | | | | checks on them; they need the written permission of |
| may check an individual's criminal history, credit report, | | | | the candidates. Also under the 1970 Fair Credit |
| and driving history. All of these things allow employers | | | | Reporting Act, which regulates the collection and use |
| to find out information about candidates that | | | | of credit reports, employers cannot use the fact that |
| candidates themselves may be reluctant to provide as | | | | someone has filed for bankruptcy as a reason not to |
| well as to verify at least some of the information that | | | | hire that individual. |
| candidates have presented about themselves. | | | | Both employers and employees need to be careful |
| There are a number of specific reasons why | | | | when it comes to background checks. |