Can You Charge Job Applicants for Their Background Check?

In a traditional hiring process, the company absorbs the full cost of hiring as they interview and review possible candidates. However, sometimes a company looking to streamline will wonder if you can have job candidates to pay for their background checks as part of the application. It is a common practice for rental house applications, why not jobs?

There are a few important questions to ask yourself before you consider this route.

Know Your State Laws

Companies can legally ask candidates to pay for their background checks in approximately 4/5 of all states. However, it is not legal to ask them to pay for their background checks in

• Washington, D.C.
• California
• Louisiana
• Vermont
• Minnesota
• Iowa
• Kansas
• Kentucky
• Illinois
• Montana

A Reasonable Request

The reasonability of asking candidates to pay for their background check depends on the industry and job. If they are challenged to prove their qualifications and background, they might be willing to pay for a background check as part of the interview process.

How Candidates Will Respond

In general, adding an expense to job applications will discourage top candidates. Only people with cash and time to spare will bother with a job application that comes with a fee. You might chase away top candidates with this tactic, but it depends on the exclusivity and desirability of the role.

Test Your Hiring Pool

If you are constantly fielding dozens or hundreds of applications, a slow-down in applicants due to the background check fee might be manageable or even preferable. Be certain to consider if you have a large enough pool of applicants that asking them to pay for a background check would not diminish your workforce too much.

Fast and Affordable Employment Background Checks

If you are going to ask candidates to pay for their background checks, you want a service that is fast, reliable, and affordable for your candidates. You can find everything you need at TruDiligence.