GITNUX MARKETDATA REPORT 2024

Pre-Employment Background Check Duration Statistics

On average, pre-employment background checks take 1-3 business days to complete, but could range from a few hours to several weeks depending on the complexity of the check.

Last Updated: June 20, 2024

Written & Summarized by: Jannik Lindner

How we write

In this post, we will explore various statistics related to pre-employment background checks. From the duration taken by different industries to the types of checks conducted and the impact of these checks on hiring decisions, we will delve into the crucial role background checks play in the employment process.

Statistic 1

"Employers in the finance sector take the longest (3-6 business days) to conduct background checks:"

Statistic 2

"96% of employers carry out at least one type of background check:"

Statistic 3

"16% of small businesses conduct employment background checks:"

Statistic 4

"Drug tests are part of the pre-employment screening process for 63% of employers:"

Statistic 5

"Approximately 78% of job applicants lie during the hiring process, necessitating thorough background checks:"

Statistic 6

"It may take up to 30 days to complete an international background check:"

Statistic 7

"Employers in the transportation industry take an average of just 1-2 business days to conduct background checks:"

Statistic 8

"Criminal background checks are conducted by 93% of employers:"

Statistic 9

"More than 10% of background checks reveal discrepancies:"

Statistic 10

"Around 31% of healthcare organizations conduct background checks after a job offer is accepted:"

Statistic 11

"85% of employers that conduct background checks do so to verify an applicant’s identity:"

Statistic 12

"In 10% of background checks, a serious red flag, such as a criminal record, is uncovered:"

Statistic 13

"After conducting a background check, 69% of employers have changed their minds about a candidate:"

Statistic 14

"Around 60% of companies perform credit checks as part of their pre-employment screening process:"

Statistic 15

"88% of employers reconsider candidates with misleading information on their resumes after conducting a background check:"

Statistic 16

"73% of companies conduct a background check during the interview process:"

Statistic 17

"It takes an average of 48-72 hours to complete a background check:"

In conclusion, the statistics presented highlight the significant role background checks play in the hiring process across various industries. Employers in the finance sector and healthcare organizations take the longest to conduct background checks, while those in the transportation industry are the quickest. The prevalence of background checks, including criminal checks and drug tests, underscores the importance of due diligence in verifying applicants’ qualifications and identities. The high percentage of discrepancies and instances of false information provided by job applicants further emphasize the necessity for thorough background screening. The potential impact of background checks on hiring decisions is evident, with a majority of employers reconsidering candidates based on the findings. Overall, these statistics shed light on the widespread practice and critical nature of pre-employment background checks in today’s competitive job market.