EmployeeScreenIQ

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

How A Criminal Background Check Can Avoid Bad Hires

A criminal background check can help employers of all sizes avoid making bad hires. Visit http://employeescreen.com to learn more.

There are many things to take into consideration during the hiring process, and while you may be drawn to certain candidates because of their experience, educational background or personality, it's important to find out everything you can about an applicant before offering them a job.

The best way to ensure a job seeker is who they say they are is by conducting a criminal background check on them. Most importantly, these checks will confirm the accuracy of the information a candidate provides on their resume or during an interview.

Criminal background checks also can weed out applicants who are unfit for or dangerous to your workplace because of things like a criminal record. Keep in mind that before conducting a check, you must first get the candidate's permission and consult the Fair Credit Reporting Act to determine what information you can and cannot access.

Here are four other steps you can take to avoid problems while hiring, as compiled by The Wall Street Journal:

Use a formal job application - This should request a candidate's full name, address, education, employment record and references. All of this information can give you a better look into someone's background than the information they may provide on a resume or during an interview. You also can state on the application that supplying false information can lead to dismissal.
Ask tough questions - After you've carefully reviewed the application, it's important to ask probing questions during the in-person interview, especially about gaps in employment. While a lag in employment is usually explained by attending school, changing careers or caring for a child, it also can mean the inability to hold down a job, a sudden dismissal or prison stay. You also can arrange for other employees at your company to meet the candidate in order to get a second or third opinion.
Call former employers and check references - This will help you verify the person's employment and salary history. The best question to ask a former employer is whether or not the candidate is eligible for rehire.
Invite a potential hire for a paid tryout - This will help you learn a lot about a candidate, including how well they fit into your business environment. You can ask them to work on a test project or spend a trial day in your office, which is a great way to test an applicant's technical skills.

Labels: Criminal background check

posted by Jen Carpenter # 7:05 AM

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Background Checks and Pre-Employment Screening

EmployeeScreenIQ delivers the best and most reliable background checks, and has the flexibility to adapt to your changing needs over time. By establishing ourselves as your trusted partner, we deliver reliable, complete, and current information, legal compliance with all applicable federal/state/local laws, unparalleled customer service, and the best overall value.

We empower employers to make informed hiring decisions by providing timely, accurate & complete employment background checks. EmployeeScreenIQ conducts criminal record searches at each of our nation's 3,500 plus county courthouses, covering the entire United States. We work directly with your organization to develop an effective pre-employment screening program that addresses your unique needs. Our background check solutions can include any combination of the following pre-employment screening and background check services. Checkout the current job openings for Chicago and Cleveland, Ohio sales jobs in our Careers section.

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