Many companies screen the employees before recruiting them. This helps them weed out undesirable candidates at the outset. It also protects them from litigation, regulators and the risk of high turnover. Besides verifying the details on your resume, employers most commonly screen for criminal behavior, drug abuse, regulatory violations, and appearances on a terrorist watch list. They also keep a check on employees’ tax liens, bankruptcy filings, ongoing divorce or custody proceedings, driving violations or bounced checks. Employers are also concerned that someone with monetary problems, health issues or family concerns may not be fully focused on the job. During the screening process, companies gauge a candidate’s temper, social skills, and reaction to stress, attitudes and how they handle tough situations.

Screening Parameters:
Employers generally screen employees on the following parameters:
• Social Security Number Trace. Especially if a candidate has a change of name.
• Criminal record check. This is run on all names in all counties. Information on both felony and misdemeanor convictions can be requested as well.
• Driver’s license check. It is very important especially for a driver assignment and client’s safety. It should have valid dates and a blemish-free record.
• Employment verification. It contains true past employment history. Basic verifications like employment dates, salary, job titles, etc., to guard against false resume information.
• Drug testing. It is important to know what painkillers or any other drugs a person takes, to guard against an on-the-job mishap.
• Credit history reports. Many jobs require absolute trust, truthfulness, and honesty. If an employee, because of personal economic pressure, resorts to dishonesty or violates your trust, it will bring a bad name and financial liability straight back to you.
• Civil history reports. It will bring to light the employee’s criminal record. In many cases, it also reflects a pattern of behavior like habitually suing people.
• Worker’s compensation history report. Check on his history of attempting to fake work-related accidents to claim compensation insurance.
• Sexual offender’s registry report. This is very important where the employment is for children or elderly or disabled people.
• Professional reference report. Most important for health care providers and financial services firms. Both should have clean records to guard against fraud, felony, or battery. • Medicare/Medicaid fraud report. This report is important if your company participates in these programs.

Keeping Your Record Clean:
• Review your record. Order your own background check through MyPublicInfo.com to guard against any error in it.
• Do not get too personal in interviews. Do not divulge your personal history of family, finance or medical information unnecessarily.
• Stay positive. Do not disparage your previous employer or boss. See the silver lining in challenging situations.
• Use Internet properly. Companies may check your online profile to see your behavior pattern.

Once hired, do a great job and eventually re-enter the larger corporate world. Put time and success between you and past bad events.