Many people will be familiar with background checks, but some may not know they can vary. Whether you are applying for a job, a voluntary position or wish to rent a property, several types of background checks can be carried out, including the following.

Employment Check

Many jobs will involve some form of background check, albeit in different forms. Some employment checks may only involve a couple of months’ work history, whereas others may want to check longer durations.

Employment checks also involve professional and personal reference checking to ensure that a candidate is the best fit for a role.

National ID Check

Identity fraud is something that everyone is worried about, but there are background checks that employers can carry out to ensure a person is who they say they are. Companies can use online document verification for background checks as this allows companies to ascertain that birth certificates, driving licenses, and other correspondence is genuine.

Companies may also carry out a soft credit search to ensure the name and address correspond to other details.

Criminal Record Check

As with other background checks, the type of criminal record check can depend on the role being applied for. Some jobs may only require a standard DBS Check, whereas those working with children and vulnerable adults will need to complete an Enhanced DBS Check, which will include information regarding barred lists.

Academic Check

Although grades and qualifications won’t be a focal point for every employer, there will be times when the grades given on an application need to be verified, which employers will do via an academic check.

An academic check gives employers a comprehensive overview of their qualifications and grades and helps filter out falsified applications.

Social Media Check

In most instances, a social media check is unofficial when compared to other background checks, but the fact remains they do occur. Although it can seem unfair to be judged, an employer must make decisions based on the information available.

This is why it has become standard practice to maintain a social media account like a curriculum vitae. Even though social media checks alone will not be the foundation of a job offer, they can be used as a deciding factor when choosing between different candidates.

Global Sanctions Check

Global sanctions help countries and organisations protect national security. As more opportunities exist to work globally, some employers will be required to carry out an international sanction check.

Although not as common as other forms of background checks, they are integral for companies and organisations that must ensure no international laws are broken when hiring someone.

There could be instances where only one type of background check is carried out. Similarly, there will be times when various checks are carried out.