Hiring the right person is crucial to the success of any business. The impact of a bad hire can be far-reaching—affecting not only the company’s productivity but also its reputation. One of the best ways to avoid making costly mistakes in the hiring process is through pre-employment checks. These checks can reveal essential details about a candidate’s background, helping you make informed decisions. From criminal records to credit history, there’s a lot that these checks can uncover. Let’s explore what each of these checks reveals and why they’re an important part of hiring safely.
Criminal Background Checks
What It Reveals: A criminal background check provides an in-depth look at any criminal history a candidate may have. This can include felonies, misdemeanours, and even minor infractions. Depending on the level of the check, it may also reveal charges that were dropped or not guilty verdicts. This can help provide professional pre-employment screening that protects your business long-term.
Why It’s Important: For many businesses, especially those that deal with sensitive information or vulnerable populations (like children or the elderly), ensuring that employees don’t have a criminal history is vital. It helps protect the safety and integrity of your workplace. For instance, hiring someone with a history of violent offences for a customer-facing role could create unnecessary risks.
Legal Considerations: It’s important to note that the use of criminal background checks is governed by law. Employers must be careful to ensure they’re not discriminating against candidates based on their criminal records, particularly if those records are irrelevant to the role. Be sure to stay informed about the latest legislation regarding background checks to ensure compliance.
When to Use: Criminal background checks are particularly important in high-risk industries such as healthcare, education, and finance. If you’re hiring someone for a role that involves a high degree of trust, like working with money or children, this type of check should be a non-negotiable part of your hiring process.
Employment History Verification
What It Reveals: Employment history checks confirm the details provided by a candidate regarding their previous jobs. This includes verifying job titles, the length of employment, and the companies they worked for. It’s not just about confirming whether they worked at a certain company but also about assessing the roles they held and the time they spent at each organisation.
Why It’s Important: Verifying employment history is crucial because it helps ensure that a candidate has the relevant experience they claim. A candidate might say they have five years of experience in a senior management position, but without verification, you can’t be sure. By conducting this check, you minimise the risk of hiring someone who is underqualified or inflating their work history.
Common Red Flags: Some of the red flags to look out for include inconsistent dates, a lack of clarity about previous roles, or discrepancies between the job titles listed on a resume and those verified by former employers. Gaps in employment can also be a concern, especially if they’re unexplained.
Credit Reports and Financial History
What It Reveals: A credit report reveals a candidate’s financial history, including their credit score, outstanding debts, and whether they’ve filed for bankruptcy. For some roles, such as those involving financial management or handling sensitive company assets, this can be an essential check.
Why It’s Important: Credit reports are often used in roles where financial responsibility is key. For instance, someone managing a company’s finances or dealing with client money needs to demonstrate a high level of financial responsibility. A poor credit history could indicate financial mismanagement or a lack of responsibility, which might not align with the company’s values or needs.
Concerns and Limitations: Using credit reports in hiring decisions can be controversial, as some candidates may be unfairly penalised due to personal financial struggles. It’s important to handle credit checks with care, ensuring that the position truly requires this kind of screening and obtaining the candidate’s consent before conducting the check.
Legal Considerations: In the UK, you must obtain explicit permission from a candidate before checking their credit report, and there are specific roles for which credit checks are allowed. Make sure to review the guidelines from the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) and follow the correct procedures when considering this check.
Signs You Should Hire Professionals for Pre-Employment Checks
There’s no denying the advantages of pre-employment checks. From choosing the right candidates who stay for years to feeling more secure with sensitive information. The time and investment in this process can be worth it. However, don’t be tempted to carry out pre-employment checks on your own. Professionals can do this for you, and this is often the best option. Let’s take a look at some signs you should leave the process to the experts.
Do Not Know Where to Look
So, you want to find out more information about your candidates and dig out the dirt. But, the problem is that you don’t know where to start. You don’t know where to look for information or what to do to get it. Well, this is a clear sign that you need professional help. They have all of the right tools and experience to know how to examine candidates and find the real details about them.
Do Not Have Enough Time
Are you rushing to hire a team? You might not have the time to carry out pre-employment checks. This can mean that you skip certain processes or don’t carry out the right checks on candidates. Instead, hire professionals that can take over the process. This ensures that candidates are being investigated thoroughly before they’re hired. It will benefit your company in the long run.
Worried About the Process
Are you worried that you don’t know the best way to handle the process? This type of stress is something you don’t need during the hiring stage. So, instead of wasting your energy, get experts to handle everything for you. This will ensure peace of mind when hiring.
Conclusion
Pre-employment checks are a crucial part of the hiring process. They provide a clear picture of a candidate’s background, revealing everything from criminal history to credit reports and educational qualifications. By incorporating these checks, you protect your company, its employees, and its reputation. As you refine your hiring process, remember to follow legal guidelines and respect candidates’ privacy while ensuring the best possible fit for your organisation.
Also Read: How a Leadership and Management Test Elevates Pre-Employment Evaluation
