<p>What does it mean when a job applicant has to go through a pre-employment screening? It simply means that an employer takes extra measures (aside from the interview stage) to carry out some quality, character and compliance checks around a potential new hire. The purpose of pre-employment screening is to make sure that they hire the right person, with the right experience and verified credentials.</p>
<h2>What is included in pre-employment screening?</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="Pre-employment Screening" class="wp-image-10342" title="Pre-employment Screening" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1-1200x801.jpg 1200w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/adult-application-form-close-up-1251183-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>All job applicants will undergo pre-employment screening before signing the dotted line.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Basically, everything that you’re required to do as a job applicant is part of the screening process. When you submit a resumé, a shortlist is made and the most viable candidates get forwarded for the preliminary interview. After the interview rounds, this is where background screening further delves into a candidate’s character, skills, qualifications and references. Some organizations conduct psychometric tests, skill-based tasks or, in healthcare, medical exams as part of their onboarding process.</p>
<h2>How long does pre-employment screening take?</h2>
<p>It depends on a lot of factors. Say, for example, that you need to undergo a panel interview where the members of the panel are executives and upper-level management, it can take quite a bit of time to arrange. If you also need to undergo medical exams, the results can take up to a week. If we’re talking about just the documents’ <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/psv-documents-medical-staff-critical/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Primary Source Verification</a> alone (a requirement for healthcare professionals in the GCC region), it can take up to 35 days – though most are completed in much less time.</p>
<h2>Exams</h2>
<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="605" src="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1-1024x605.jpg" alt="Pre-employment Screening" class="wp-image-10344" title="Pre-employment Screening" srcset="https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1-1024x605.jpg 1024w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1-300x177.jpg 300w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1-768x454.jpg 768w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1-1200x709.jpg 1200w, https://production-prod-trueprofile-blogassets-origin.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/uploads/2021/03/care-check-checkup-905874-1.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption>Some organizations may require a physical/medical exam.</figcaption></figure>
<p>Healthcare professionals applying to the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) region countries might need to undergo a professional evaluation exam. It’s usually provided by <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/faqs-prometric-plain-english/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prometric</a>, and they have testing centres around the world. They might also need to undertake a physical exam to prove that they are healthy and capable of the often demanding work. Some job applicants also go through what human resources specialists refer to as psychometric exams. They not only measure the intellectual capacity of a person but also gauge their character and motivations.</p>
<h2>What shows up on a pre-employment background check?</h2>
<p>The number one thing that shows up is your employment history. A company usually doesn’t rely solely on your CV and will investigate further. It often depends on the sensitivity of the position you’re applying for. The character references that you provide are also likely to be called and checked. Some headhunters might instead get in touch with your previous supervisors to get more of a feel of how you are as an employee. Identity checks, your degree(s), criminal records, and social media presence might get researched on a <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/pre-employment-background-checks-what-do-they-show/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pre-employment background check</a>.</p>
<p>If your CV is the whole truth and nothing but the truth, you’ve really got nothing to worry about. Pre-employment screening is an essential precaution for the majority of employers and means that they can ensure you’ll make a great addition to their team and enjoy a successful career with their company.</p>
<h2>Breeze through background screening</h2>
<p>Want to know how to breeze through background screening? Get pre-verified ahead of time! You can get your identity checked via state-of-the-art <a href="https://blog.trueprofile.io/breaking-news-verify-your-identity-instantly-with-trueprofile-io/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">TrueIdentity</a> powered by IDnow AutoIdent. You can also get your education credentials and your work experience verified ahead of time. You automatically get them collated in a digital CV on your Digital CV. Set your information to public under your Profile Visibility preferences so that employers with relevant job openings can search for you and contact you.</p>
<h4>If you have not already signed up to TrueProfile.io, sign up now!</h4>
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