Conducting a background check before hiring a candidate has become a standard practice across the business world. Making sure a candidate is who they say they are and have presented a truthful accounting of their education, employment, and so forth is a basic best practice. However, some industries and fields require specific background screenings that are relevant to them. So, which industries are required to conduct background checks, and what do they look for? Here are a few that must perform these checks to comply with legal or regulated standards.
Healthcare
Healthcare is a field where mistakes are truly a matter of life and death. Background checks are mandatory for multiple positions in the healthcare sector, particularly those involving direct patient care. Background screenings discover whether a candidate has a criminal or sex offender history, confirm whether they worked at specific healthcare facilities, verify education and certifications, and sometimes check the candidate’s credit. Patients are at their most vulnerable when seeking healthcare, so hospitals and other facilities must ensure a safe and secure environment manned by true professionals.
Education
Educational institutions require thorough background checks for all staff members, from teachers to administrative personnel. Checks involve ensuring the lack of criminal history, educational qualifications (degrees, credentials, certification, etc.), and employment history to ensure the candidate’s integrity and suitability for roles involving minors. Red flags will automatically disqualify a candidate, and for good reason.
Transportation
The transportation industry puts thousands of individuals in charge of large vehicles such as planes, trains, cars, trucks, and more. Therefore, the industry needs drivers and operators who have the skills to operate such vehicles and can consistently do so safely and soberly. These requirements extend to support staff as well, who may oversee the machine or equipment’s maintenance or the handling of passengers or cargo. Comprehensive background checks are important in the airline industry, ensuring the safety of passengers and crew. Checks include criminal history, employment history, DUIs and erratic driving records, and sometimes even a review of social media activity to identify potential threats.
Government and Defense
Government roles, especially those in defense and national security, require stringent background checks. These checks often involve an extensive review of criminal records, records of substance abuse, credit checks, and even interviews with personal acquaintances. The goal is to ensure individuals in these roles won’t pose a threat to national security or possess exploitable vulnerabilities. Private companies with government contracts sometimes require candidates to submit to such background screening.
These industries are required to conduct background checks, setting rigorous standards for potential candidates. It’s worth asking whether your company is doing as thorough a job with its background screening because better screening can prevent turnover, bad hires, and financial loss. Apply the above tactics to your HR’s background checks for a more thorough process overall!