Best Practices for a Successful Background Check

For many employers, conducting a background check is an important part of the hiring process. After all, you want to make sure you’re hiring the best possible candidate for the job. But what exactly should you be looking for in a background check? And what are the best practices for conducting one?

In this blog post, we will explore the ins and outs of background checks, so that you can make sure you’re doing them right. But first, let’s look at why it is vital to conduct pre-employment background checks.

Why conduct a background check?

There are a number of reasons why you would want to conduct pre-employment background checks. The most obvious reason is to ensure that the person you are hiring is who they say they are.

These statistics show the importance of hiring right:

• 75 percent of employees say they have stolen at least once from their employer
• Each year, companies have to bear a cost of $50 billion due to employee theft.
• Workplace violence leads to a loss of up to $330 billion for businesses each year, apart from injuries and fatalities

Conducting a background check can give you peace of mind knowing that you have done everything possible to screen out applicants who might pose a risk to your business.

4 best practices to adopt when conducting a background check

Before you get started, it is important to know that a rushed background check is more likely to contain errors. Make sure you allow enough time to complete a thorough search.

Screen the first, last, and middle name

This will help to ensure accuracy and avoid any potential issues. If there is a middle name, be sure to include that as well, as it can often be helpful in identifying the correct individual.

Check for red flags from the start

A simple Google search is not enough. Utilize public records, social media, and professional databases to get the most comprehensive picture of a candidate.

Always follow up on any information you find during your search. Speak to references, confirm dates and employment history, and ask for additional documentation if needed.

Know about the Fair Credit Reporting Act

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is a federal law that regulates the background check industry and protects consumers’ rights.

To be FCRA compliant, companies must follow certain guidelines when collecting and using consumer information. For example, they must provide consumers with a notice of their rights under the FCRA, and they must obtain consumers’ consent before obtaining their credit reports.

Choose the right background screening company

A bad hire can cost your company thousands to millions of dollars in lost productivity and damaged reputation. To hire right the first time, outsourcing background screening to a trusted technical staffing expert is important.

In addition to their experience, look at the processes they follow when conducting a background check.

As the leading industrial staffing, warehouse staffing, and technical recruitment specialist, we at Everest Recruiting offer comprehensive pre-employment screening services to help firms hire the right candidates.

Leave the pre-employment screening hassles to us while you focus on your business’s core functions.

Call or email us to know more about our services.