With a wide variety of background checking services available, it’s easy to get confused about which one is right for your business. Many people think that hiring an external company to do this work will save them money and time. But you need to take extra care when selecting a third party provider. A poorly managed or poorly run background check could cost you more than the background check itself. This article offers four simple tips for employers looking to hire a reliable third-party background check service.
Tip 1: Don’t use a single source
It can be tempting to think that using just a single source will guarantee you a complete background check, but that isn’t true. When doing a background check on someone, it’s important to look at all the sources used by the background check service. If they don’t have access to other databases, then you may not be getting the full picture. For example, if the background check service doesn’t have access to criminal records, then they will only see what law enforcement has reported to the national database (the National Crime Information Center), not the actual record in each state jurisdiction.
Tip 2: Ask questions
When interviewing a potential employee, ask them if they’ve ever had their background checked by any other employer or background check service. It’s important to ask the question up front so that you know whether they are telling you the truth. You also want to find out how long ago their last background check was done. If they’ve been employed for several years with no recent checks, then there’s probably good reason for it. The longer the period of time since a background check, the less likely it is you’ll find something that will affect your decision to hire them.
Tip 3: Make sure the report is accurate
When working with a background check firm, make sure you understand exactly what the results mean. In many cases, reports from background check companies contain errors and don’t reflect the real facts. There’s nothing wrong with asking for clarification on the results. If the results of the report seem very far off from reality, then it might be best to move on to another candidate.
Tip 4: Follow up periodically
After you’ve hired someone, continue to monitor their performance. If things go well, then keep them around. If things start going downhill, look into why. Is the person struggling? Do they have a history of poor performance at previous jobs? Or did they come across as unreliable during interviews? Once you’ve found the cause, address it immediately. Don’t wait until after you’re already in trouble before taking action.
A thorough background check for employment can help ensure that you’re making the right choice when it comes to hiring someone new. The most effective way to make sure this happens is to follow these four simple steps.
Tip 5: Choose a reputable background check firm
The first thing to remember is that not every background check company is created equal. Some background check firms have solid reputations, while others are more like fly-by-night operations. The key here is finding a firm that will provide you with a service that meets your needs and delivers results that are both timely and accurate.
If you decide to use a background check service for employment purposes, it’s important that you choose a company whose primary focus is providing excellent customer service. Most of these companies offer free consultations with their clients to discuss your specific needs. They should also explain what information they will obtain and how they plan to use it. Also important is that they provide a detailed explanation of what they know about the individual being investigated. And finally, the firm should tell you exactly what type of report they will deliver and provide a price estimate upfront.
Tip 6: Pay attention to the fine print
Not all background check services are created equal. Some may charge exorbitant fees for certain types of reports. Others may try to sell you unnecessary extras such as credit reports or fingerprinting. Always read the fine print before signing on the dotted line. Doing so will allow you to avoid paying for services you never asked for.
Tip 7: Consider using an internal employee search
Some businesses have the resources internally to perform background checks. Internal searches are often much cheaper than using an outside vendor. It’s usually not necessary to pay for criminal background checks if you’re looking for a short term temporary or contract position. However, if your organization has a long-term need for background checks on its employees, a more comprehensive search may be appropriate. Internal searches require careful planning and thorough coordination between managers, human resources personnel, and legal counsel.
Tip 8: Hire an experienced investigator
Investigating a prospective employee’s past involves some degree of risk. It’s always better to err on the side of caution and hire a professional investigator who has experience doing background checks. These investigators will be familiar with federal laws regarding disclosure of personal information and will be able to explain the risks involved. Experienced investigators will also be prepared for difficult situations and will have the skills needed to handle those situations.
Hopefully after reading the above article it is clear that a person can search for the best background checker after making proper analysis. As the time will pass the people will get the idea of the various available options. The main motive of the players is to make money with the productive results.
While there are many different reasons why background checks are useful, the main purpose is to protect your business against lawsuits and other potentially dangerous situations. As a result, it pays to consider your options carefully and to use the highest quality background check service possible
