The hiring process is one of those things that, for the general public at least, seems easier than it really is. There are a large number of parameters that come into picking the right candidate. The problem is, not all of these parameters are all that easy to deduce from the info that you’re operating with. Having all that in mind, when hiring an employee, the more information you operate with – the higher the probability that you will pick the right person. This is exactly why background checks are so important.
However, not that many people are aware of how background checks are supposed to be conducted. In this article, you will find all that you need to know when it comes to conducting background checks.
First step: criminal background
The first and the most important step of a background check is to see if the candidate has a criminal background. This can be done manually – by you as an employer or an employee designated for such checks. The easier way to approach this, if you are from the UK, would be to opt for DBS checks and by doing so, you will get an in-depth criminal record and barring check. Whatever option you end up opting for – being thorough is imperative when dealing with criminal backgrounds.
Validate the information regarding the social security
The second step includes validating the given information when it comes to social security. Basically, what you want to do is to ensure that the social security number of your candidate is legitimate. This is incredibly important for a plethora of legal reasons as if you have the wrong data, you may face issues in the future with such an employee.
While checking the social security information, you will also be able to find all the names that are associated with the social security number in question, including any possible aliases and variations. Additionally, you will find the date of birth and the address history. This information can be quite useful, as it will show you any undisclosed information about the candidate. For instance, aliases and previously unknown locations can reveal previously unavailable criminal records.
Sex offender registry check
Finally, you want to take special care when handling a background check on any possible history when it comes to sex offenses. This is incredibly important, as hiring someone that is on a sex offender registry list can be harmful in so many ways. If you fail to do a proper sex offender registry check, you are potentially risking the physical and mental health of everyone else in your company. You, as an employer, are reliable for the safety of your employees and hence – this job shouldn’t be taken lightly.
All this perfectly explains the seriousness that lies behind doing a background check. This isn’t something that should be viewed as a routine job, and every potential candidate must be treated with vigilance.
Finally, it all comes down to being thorough and taking those extra steps to ensure that your candidate is the right one. It might seem like an extra, unnecessary hassle now, but in the long run – it is incredibly important. Those few extra hours now can possibly save you from an unpleasant surprise later. Do your background checks thoroughly!