Do you want to get better background checks from your background screening company? If so, you definitely will want to keep the following information in mind. Your background screening company can only do so much with what you provide them, so make sure you are doing all you can to promote accuracy.
1. Get Complete Info from Your Applicant
One of the most important things that you should do when looking to get more accurate background checks is to ensure that you are getting all of the information from an applicant that you can get. By reading the application and resume before you send it to your background screening company, you will be certain that all holes are filled in.
2. Make Sure to Include Alias and Maiden Name Searches
Another thing that you should be sure to do when it comes to your background checks is to make certain that you include some type of alias or maiden name search. This means that you will need to ask these questions on your application and be certain that you are having the screening company run these searches.
3. Check All Locations for Criminal Activity
One thing that is often overlooked when it comes to background checks is to do a criminal background check based on the work location as well as the home location. For instance, it is certainly not uncommon for someone to work in a different county than they live in. A crime could have been committed in an area around a former employer, not just around their home.
4. Get Credit Checks if Appropriate
Though many areas have a restriction on credit checks, if your applicant will be working with any type of money or financial records, it is imperative that you get these done. This is the best way to protect yourself against embezzlement.
5. Don’t Forget Birth Dates
Though you shouldn’t ask for the date of birth on an application, once you have decided that you will get a background check on an applicant, the date of birth should be obtained on the release form. This way you are not violating any laws, but you will still get the information you need.
6. Get the Names of Supervisors
Most of the time, when a company is contacted for a background check, they will send you directly to HR. At HR, they will only give you the basics like dates of employment, title and job title. If you want to get more information, give your background screening company the name of a supervisor. This way they will have someone to talk to about your candidate and likely get a lot more information.
7. Listen to the Advice You are Given
If you are working with a background screening company and they give you advice, it is best to heed that advice. Remember, they are professionals, they know the law and they will be able to give you the best information possible when it comes to compliance with background checks.
– Guest post by Michael Klazema
Michael Klazema has been developing products for pre-employment screening and improving online customer experiences in the background screening industry since 2009. He is the lead author and editor for Backgroundchecks.com. He lives in Dallas, TX with his family and enjoys the rich culinary histories of various old and new world countries.