3 Things to Avoid When Performing Employment Background Checks

Performing an employment background check is an important step in the hiring process. Ensuring you get the right employees who will do the job right is paramount to success.

Here are some things you shouldn’t do when conducting pre-employment screening.

Don’t Use a “Check the Box” Policy

Using a “Check the Box” policy, or immediately excluding applicants based on whether they have any criminal record, is illegal in many places.

You should look into an applicant’s past, yet the truth is having a minor criminal record from many years ago often doesn’t have anything to do with the applicant’s ability to perform their job.

Don’t Qualify Candidates Through Social Media

It’s tempting to use social media as a tool in your employment background checks.

Much of the personal information on social media is irrelevant, having little bearing on the applicant’s qualifications. Relying on someone’s social profiles speaks to their personal culture and not qualifications.

While a human gut has more neurons in it than a dog has in their entire brain, a more thorough and professional check done needs to be done before disqualifying an individual.

Many national databases contain limited or untrustworthy personal details and cannot simply provide you with all the information you need to qualify a candidate for the role.

Don’t Do It Alone

It’s tempting to try to save money and do it yourself. We understand.

Yet working with an experienced screening company to manage your employment background checks provides the resources, processes, and confidence needed to build the success of your business and the contributions qualified candidates can generate.

For help with screening your applicants, contact us today!