Almost all employers screen candidates to ensure they are a good fit. One of the most effective ways to do this is through background checks. These typically involve verifying and checking the candidate’s work history, identity, education credentials, and criminal records.
Background checks can get very extensive and lead to lengthy processing times than usual. However, the extent of the check isn’t the only reason for a delayed background check. It might have numerous explanations.
Fortunately, those scratching their heads and asking why is my background check taking so long won’t be clueless after reading this article. We’ll share common reasons for background checks to get delayed. Continue reading to the end to know why your background check is taking longer.
How Long Does a Background Check Usually Take?
There isn’t a standard time it takes for background checks to process. It depends on several factors, including the components your employer requested from the background check agency, the scope of your information, and the agency’s methods.
However, there are general time frames for background checks. They take about two to five days to process for most people. If your background check has been taking longer than this – say a few weeks – it’s completely normal.
In fact, it can even take several months, especially if it is for a government position. There are even cases of people where their security clearance takes more than a year to be adjudicated. With all this said, your background check taking so long shouldn’t be a cause for concern.
Five Reasons Why Your Background Check Is Taking Longer than Usual
Here are five reasons that might explain a delayed background check.
1. Missing or Inaccurate Information
Remember the paperwork you filled out to authorize your background check? It might have missing or inaccurate information, which will cause delays in your background check.
The background check service provider may also need additional authorizations while completing your background check. If you fail to grant these, it will also lead to your background check taking longer.
2. Delays in Verification
Background check service providers usually contact your former employers, educational institutes you’ve attended, and other relevant bodies to verify your information. If you’ve listed references on your resume, the background check agency may also contact them to verify who they are.
Because all these are a crucial part of the background check, service providers usually take their time with this step, resulting in inevitable delays. Since this isn’t up to the background agency, as getting ahold of people can be difficult sometimes, you’ll need to wait for them to verify your information.
3. Comprehensive Checks
Comprehensive background checks always take longer. If your background check includes various components and you have a lot of information to verify, it will take longer to process.
This is yet another one of those reasons beyond your control. You simply have too many details the background check agency needs to go over and verify.
4. Delayed Drug Test
Pre-employment drug tests are just as essential as background checks for many industries. Drug tests usually take between 24 and 48 hours, but there can be delays. There are various reasons for a drug test to be delayed, including administrative issues, contaminants in the sample, the need for additional tests, and so on.
When the employer requests a drug test in your background check, and there’s a delay, it will automatically postpone the entire background check, even if everything else is complete.
5. Provider Is Too Busy
Although not as common as others, your background check may take longer if the service provider has too many requests. When this is the case, you can’t do much but wait for them to process your background check.
In these cases, you can request the agency to prioritize your background check, though they likely will adhere to their schedule.
Preventing Background Check Delays
There’s no sure way to prevent background check delays. The only thing you can do when you’re not the background check company is fill out the paperwork the employer requests accurately with up-to-date information.
If you’re curious about the results of your background check, you can use a people search site to see what information comes up. Since this will be to satisfy your curiosity, you can opt for a free one.
For this type of search, you can use FreePeopleSearch.com. It’s one of the best free people search sites that compiles a detailed background check by scanning public web pages and databases.
