Background screening

Background screening, also called pre-employment screening, is the process of verifying information a candidate has provided before a hiring decision is finalized. It typically covers employment history, education credentials, personal details, criminal records, government-issued licenses, and where relevant, vehicle records or international background checks.

The purpose is straightforward: confirm that what’s on the resume matches reality, and flag anything that could pose a risk to the organization or its people. Around 96% of employers conduct some form of pre-employment check before hiring, which reflects how standard the practice has become across industries.

Family background checks appear on some screening lists but are less common and subject to legal restrictions depending on jurisdiction. What gets checked varies by role, industry, and local employment law.