In today’s globalized workforce, it’s common for employers to seek out candidates with international experience, whether they’ve lived, worked, studied abroad, or come from different countries.
In light of this, it’s crucial for employers to conduct international background checks alongside domestic ones. These checks play a vital role in confirming applicants’ qualifications and ensuring there are no red flags like global criminal records that could disqualify them.
What is an International Background Check?
International background checks delve into an applicant’s educational and employment history, as well as any criminal records, outside the United States.
They’re typically part of the process when evaluating candidates who either hail from another country or have significant experience abroad.
These checks cover over 240 countries, including popular destinations like Canada, India, the Philippines, Malaysia, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.
Moreover, U.S. companies venturing into global markets may also request these checks as they expand their operations overseas.
Why Are International Background Checks Important?
Candidates come from diverse backgrounds, including those who have lived, worked, or studied abroad, recent immigrants to the U.S., or individuals eyeing H-1B visas for specialized roles.
Employers stand to gain several advantages by opting for international background checks:
- Enhanced workplace safety and security: By scrutinizing candidates’ backgrounds from overseas, employers can flag any potential risks, bolstering workplace safety and security.
- Informed hiring decisions: Standard domestic background checks may not unveil all pertinent details for candidates with international experience. International background checks bridge this gap, equipping employers to make well-rounded hiring choices.
- Mitigated fraud risk: Instances of credential fraud, like counterfeit diplomas or fake degrees, especially prevalent in fields like healthcare, can be curbed with international background checks. Verifying candidates’ educational claims helps thwart fraudulent activities.
- Diminished liability risks: Comprehensive insights into candidates’ backgrounds offered by international background checks aid employers in identifying individuals who might pose elevated liability risks, thereby mitigating potential legal issues.
What Shows Up on an International Background Check?
Many U.S. employers opt for a comprehensive array of checks in their international background screenings, including identity, employment, education verification, and criminal records checks.
In particular industries like finance, additional measures such as global watchlist searches and credit checks might be requested to ensure compliance.
However, the scope of these checks can be influenced by the privacy regulations of the target country.
Here’s a breakdown of the key components:
International Criminal Records Check
The information revealed in an international criminal records check varies by country, with some nations having stricter privacy laws. Results can range from detailed certificates listing convictions, offense dates, and sentences to reports focusing on serious offenses akin to U.S. felonies.
Employment Verification
International employment verification uncovers details about a candidate’s past positions abroad, typically including employer names, addresses, tenure, and job roles, within the confines of each country’s privacy laws.
International Education Verification
This check confirms a candidate’s academic credentials obtained overseas, providing insights into institutions attended, dates of enrollment, degrees earned, and fields of study.
Global Watchlist/Sanctions Checks
Employers often conduct global watchlist searches to ensure candidates aren’t flagged for involvement in activities like terrorism, narcotics trafficking, fraud, or major financial crimes, both domestically and internationally.
Best Practices when Conducting International Background Checks
1. Inform and Obtain Consent: Before initiating any background checks, it’s essential to inform applicants and employees in writing and secure their signed consent. Depending on the country, specific consent forms may be necessary.
2. Partner with a Trustworthy Provider: Navigating the complexities of international background checks requires expertise. Collaborating with a reputable provider, such as securecheck360, can help ensure compliance and accuracy.
3. Evaluate Relevant Convictions: When assessing criminal records, consider how they directly relate to the job in question before making any hiring decisions.
4. Follow Adverse Action Protocol: If adverse information from a background check influences your decision not to hire an applicant, follow the necessary adverse action steps before finalizing the employment decision.
Work with a background check provider like Securecheck360
Here at Securecheck360, we’re experts in delivering reliable, fast turnaround and affordable Employment Background Screening Services, serving businesses of all sizes across the globe. Our customized solutions are finely tuned to meet the unique requirements of small, mid-sized, and large organizations. We’re dedicated to equipping companies with the vital tools and insights they need to make well-informed hiring choices. As one of the leading background verification companies, we’re committed to supporting even small businesses as trusted background check companies for small businesses to ensure they have the confidence to build the best teams for their success.
To know more about our services, book your free demo today!
