A background screening is an essential step in the hiring process. Thorough pre-employment background checks provide a company with a look into a candidate’s history, which helps employers determine the validity of a candidate’s statements. Professional reference checks can protect your business from poor hiring decisions and ensure that you get qualified talent with a style and work ethic that matches their environment and their culture.
In our most recent blog, the professionals at Barada Associates discuss everything you need to know about pre-employment background checks. For more information about Barada Associates’ background checking services, contact us today.
How Background Screenings Are Used
An employment screening is used by employers to verify information provided by a candidate. Many parties – from employers to landlords – can benefit from the information provided in a background report, which can paint a clearer picture of a person’s history.
Different Types of Background Screenings
There are various types of background screenings. For a pre-employment background screening, companies may use a combination of the following:
- Criminal Records Check. A criminal background check is a crucial component of every pre-employment screening to determine whether a job candidate could potentially threaten workers and customers, leading to an unsafe work environment. A criminal records check searches county, state and federal courts and records.
- Pre-employment Verification. This includes a check of a candidate’s past work history, including titles held, salary, job duties, job start and end dates, and the reason for leaving a company or being terminated.
- Reference Check. It’s good practice to ask a candidate for three references who have worked directly with them. This helps an employer learn about a job seeker’s past work performance and work ethic.
- Drug Testing. Some companies require job candidates to be drug tested to see if alcohol or drugs are in their system. While drug testing is ideal for any position, it’s especially important for roles that involve driving, aviation or teaching children.
- National Sex Offender Registry Check. Performing a National Sex Offender Registry search on a candidate will rule out hiring someone with past sexual offenses, which is crucial to know for positions that work with minors, schools or daycares.
- Credit Background Check. Credit background checks provide insight into a person’s credit history. The candidate must give the employer permission to perform a credit check. Although credit checks are not necessary for all lines of work, they can be beneficial if part or all of the candidate’s responsibilities deal with money or finances.
- Social Media & Internet Check. A check of a candidate’s social media accounts can be a valuable tool as part of an overall employment screening process, although it’s important to use care to ensure the information is true. Employment verification, criminal records checks and reference checks are still necessary.
- Driving Record. A driving record check is essential if you’re hiring someone for a position where driving is part of the job responsibilities. This can include delivery drivers, transporters and full-time driving positions. A driving record check can verify a candidate’s history of traffic accidents, their driver’s license status and other traffic law violations. Employers must get the candidate’s permission with a signed release that complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
- Education Verification. Academic verification determines whether the job candidate graduated from the schools listed on their resume. It can also reveal what degrees and certifications were earned.
- Professional License & Certificate Confirmation. Just like an education verification, it’s important to ensure the job seeker has the licenses and certifications they claim to have on their resume. Teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses, therapists and electricians are just a few of the professions that require licenses.
- Social Security Number Trace. A social security number trace confirms whether or not the person is who they say they are and that they’re eligible to work in the United States.
How to Get a Background Screening
There are many methods a business can use to conduct a background screening. Some databases are accessible online or to the public, allowing a company to search records associated with a candidate. There are online search engines available to provide background screening information, but this information is often incomplete and is not always verifiable.
For background screening information that is comprehensive and trusted, seek out reputable third-party background check companies such as Barada Associates. These providers have access to databases and information that the public does not and are able to gather a complete and verifiable collection of information about the candidates.
Trust Barada Associates for Your Background Screening Needs
The background check process is a crucial part of the hiring process. For more than 40 years, Barada Associates has been trusted by employers and organizations to provide thorough background screening services. Offering multiple options to fulfill your hiring needs, an extensive background screening can be quickly completed to support your company’s hiring requirements. For more information on our background check services and to learn how Barada Associates supports your company’s best interests, please contact us today.