Hudson County, an outlying portion of the New York metropolitan area, has an estimated population of 675,000. Adjacent counties include Bergen, Essex, and Union in New Jersey, plus Kings, New York County, and Richmond in New York state. Notable employers in the region include Goya, Port Jersey, and Jackson Hewitt.
So closely linked to New York City that it is sometimes called “the sixth borough,” Hudson County has achieved the highest rate of population growth in the state since 2010. Its booming population creates a lively job market that practically guarantees competition for open positions.
For employers, this trend is a double-edged sword. Finding talented individuals is easier, but there are no promises that every applicant is a safe or suitable fit for your business. How can a company make smart choices when interviews and cover letters are not enough to establish trust? By exercising discretion in hiring within their legal guidelines, employers can use powerful tools to screen applicants and find suitable employees.
Criminal background checks are central to this process—vetting applicants reduces the risks associated with negligent hiring. What does it take to examine someone’s background?
Businesses should look at local records first, then expand their view to consider places an applicant may have lived in the past. Hudson County records are the ideal starting point, as you may not wish to hire someone whose criminal actions have impacted your community. A lack of local charges is not necessarily an indicator of a clean slate, though, so you must continue your search: checking state and national records could produce critical results.
Using background checks comes with some caveats, as you must obey local laws concerning their use. New Jersey uses a statewide “ban the box” law that prohibits businesses from making inquiries, online or otherwise, into an applicant’s record before they interview. You may not ask about expunged or pardoned convictions, either. After conducting a job interview with the candidate and receiving their consent to do so, you may begin a background check.
Where should you start? The county-level criminal record search from backgroundchecks.com provides you with a clear view of an applicant’s local criminal record. When you need to search farther afield, you can purchase the US OneSEARCH, an instant search of criminal records from across the country. These tools scale with ease whether you hire one or one hundred people, and they work well for nonprofits and for-profit businesses alike.
These products use data sourced from local authorities unaffiliated with backgroundchecks.com. Data is subject to change. You may request on-site courthouse record searches for the most up-to-date information. We offer results within three business days.
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With massive growth in Hudson County, now is the time to capitalize on the opportunity to find top talent with help from backgroundchecks.com.