As a hiring manager or business owner who very likely has professional background checks done on their employees, have you ever wondered 
what makes a successful background check? Though you probably use a professional service for your background screenings (if you don't, you should), a background check is really only as good as the person who does them. Because of this, it is important that you know how to gauge if a background check is one that you should trust, or if it is time to get a new background screener in your corner. Here are some of the characteristics of a successful background check:
Information on an Applicant's Resume Should be Verified
One of the most important parts of a background screening is ensuring that an applicant's information is correct. In order to verify this information, a background screener should be contacting educational institutions, past employers and references. They should be verifying dates or employment, dates of graduation and if a degree was obtained. If the applicant's information is incorrect, the right information should be reported.
Aliases Must Be Investigated
Another thing that you should be certain your background check company is checking is any alias that your candidate may have. An alias could be used for a variety of positive and legal reasons, but it could also be used to hide a past that is less than stellar. By checking on aliases, you will be getting the full picture of your candidate.
Everything on the Report Should be Fact
It is imperative that every bit of information on a background screening should be the facts and only the facts. Speculation really has no place when it comes to background screenings, so any background check company worth their salt will keep the speculation out and only report facts that can be backed up with documentation.
Information Should be Clarified if Not Understood
Another thing that you should make sure your background screening company is doing in order to ensure accuracy is clarifying any information that they do not understand. Depending on the contract you have with your screening company, they may contact you to get the information from the applicant or will contact the applicant themselves.
Security and Privacy are Essential
You should also make sure that your background screening company has policies in place that ensure the utmost privacy and security when it comes to the personal information of your candidate. This is not a situation where you want to take chances.
Follow All State, Federal and Local Laws
Finally, it is extremely important that your chosen background screening company is aware of and follows all state, local and federal laws. Each state has its own employment laws, so even if your chosen screener is not in your state, they should be aware of all state laws for the state in which your establishment is located.
As you can see, you shouldn't just take for granted that your background screening company will give you a document that you can legally use to hire a candidate...there are many things that you will need to do in order to make sure you are getting the right information. Fortunately, once you are confident your screening company is doing all of this, the work on your part, is almost nothing.
Latest posts by Michael Klazema (see all)
- Characteristics of a Successful Background Check - October 10, 2013
