As a recruiter I have conducted hundreds of background checks and drug screens. Most of them were pretty easy and most of them came back clear.
However, there were a few that required attention. When you are given an offer for employment, your recruiter will remind you that the company requires a background check and drug screen. Depending on the type of company it is, they may also require a financial check, drivers license check, social security check as well as a few others.
I know that sometimes it is difficult to expose any difficulties you may have had in the past and you hope that maybe they won’t show up in the background check, or drug screen.
A typical background check will go back 10 years, most companies will want to check at the federal, state, county and city level. Depending on how many places you have lived in the last 10 years the checks could go back even further.
A drug screen will vary depending on the client, some clients will only require a 5 panel test, some a 7 panel and some a 10 panel test.
If you have any past difficulties it is best to let your recruiter know about them before you accept a position. This shows that you are being open and trustworthy and allows the recruiter to explain any discrepancies to the client.
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