The quality of applicants that compete for a job is diverse, which is why running pre-employment checks to further look into the background of candidates can reduce risky hiring mistakes. Fortunately, different background checks exist that are suitable for various types of positions and candidates.

Criminal Past
As an HR professional, it could be important to verify that potential candidates don't have a criminal background. Candidates might even ask, “Will an arrest show on a background check?” The answer is yes: arrests, divorces, traffic tickets, bankruptcies will all be listed; and details such as the offense date, charge, date of the decision, disposition, judge, defense attorney, court dates, cost of the bond, and docket details will all show up. Criminal records are readily available as they are a type of public record.

This check is comprehensive as all arrests will show up, even if there was never a conviction or charge. Dropped charges, dismissed cases, and acquittals will be included, even if a plea bargain was the result of the arrest. The outcome of every case is also included, and will be listed as "dismissed" or "guilty". This will give you an idea if the candidate that you’re considering has any serious red flags in their past. 

Driving Records
Not every company will run a check on an applicant’s driving history unless driving is a large portion of the job they’re seeking. You might need to see if the candidate would be a dangerous liability for the business, and checking to see if there are any license suspensions or speeding tickets that the company should be concerned about can help you see if they are a trustworthy driver. 

Civil History
Not all companies run background checks into a candidate’s civil history, but to others, it is a requirement because they can reveal a lot about someone that criminal records don't. A civil background check can reveal any claim, suit, or judgment against the candidate, such as evictions, personal injury cases, debt nonpayment, and property destruction. Finding out whether or not a candidate has been a defendant in a prominent court case can reveal a lot about their character, history, and temperament. 

Credit History
In the past, it was common for employers to check on their applicant's credit history to see how responsible they've been in the past with money. However, bad credit and debt are becoming more prevalent and these factors don't always tend to be very applicable to the job in question. This could be different for positions that involve finances or the managing of money because it's likely that it will still be a requirement to see if candidates can be trusted with financial responsibility.

Since every company has a different policy on background checks, it’s important to be familiar with yours since job applicants often have questions about what will be called into consideration. The company hiring policy should also be clear about which infractions are considered tolerable and which are not.