Background Check Process
Effective May 1, 2011
Summary of Process
The basic background check consists of a Social Security Number trace, criminal history check and sex
offender registry.
1. At the time the position is classified, the Hiring Department will work with a Compensation
Specialist to determine the type of background check that will be required (i.e. basic, employment
verification, credit check, etc). Costs incurred for background checks beyond the standard
requirement, will be billed to the hiring department. The hiring department will notate the type of
background check on the posting form.
2. The Employment Specialist will confirm the type of background check with the hiring department
at the time of posting.
3. Background check language will be added to the Purdue job posting and external ad placement.
4. The Hiring department will offer position contingent on the background check.
5. The offer letter reflects hire is contingent on the background check (online templates are available
on the Employment website under supervisor resources)
6. The Hiring department notifies the Employment Specialist of the offer and provides:

Candidate’s name

Candidate’s email address

Position candidate has been offered

Account number to charge for additional background check services beyond the standard
requirement (if applicable).
7. The Employment Specialist will submit a background check request through HireRight, and
HireRight will send an e-mail to the candidate requesting information and consent for the
background check.
8. Candidate completes the online background check authorization form.
9. HireRight will conduct a Social Security Number trace to determine where the candidate lived and
worked. HireRight then conducts a criminal history check for each geographic area the candidate
lived and worked. The national sex offender registry is also checked by HireRight. HireRight notifies
Human Resources of the results.
10. Employment Specialist notifies hiring department and business office of completed background
check
Individual Responsibilities:
Hiring Department:
1. E-mail final employment candidate(s) name and e-mail address, position, department/unit account
number (if applicable), to their designated Employment Specialist.
2. Notify the candidate that they will receive an e-mail (from HireRight) requesting background check
information, and request that they complete it as soon as possible to keep the process moving.
3. Send an offer letter to final candidate after receiving approval e-mail containing the criminal
background check results from Human Resources.
4. If offer letter is sent prior to receiving background check approval, please make sure to include the
following statement in the offer letter: “This offer is contingent on the results of a background check.”
Candidate:
1. Complete and submit online authorization.
Human Resources:
1. Send candidate’s name and e-mail address to HireRight, and conduct criminal background check
through HireRight.
2. Notify Hiring Department of results.