I have no doubt that recruiting from Facebook and other social networks is the thing of the future.  My question is, once you find a person on Facebook, then what?  The answer would have to be screen this person to find out if he/she is all they say they are.  The way to do that is more than just a background check. 

Last year, the National Association of Chamber or Commerce estimated that as many as 33% of all applicants put false information or omit facts on their application.  Facts like their true name, date of birth, social security number, criminal history, or education.  It is your responsibility to get the facts before referring this person to your client.  The best way to do this is to outsource to a licensed private investigator who specializes in pre-employment screening.  Forget the persona of a PI as seen on TV or in the movies.  In reality many states ( including Florida) have strict laws governing the profession thus we are held to a higher standard than those who are not licensed. 

Because this is the private investigator's chosen specialty, their agencies are a consumer reporting agency thus they know, understand, and apply laws such as FCRA, DPPA, HIPPA and what ever state laws apply.  They have access to PRIVATE databases that are FCRA &  DPPA compliant to conduct the verifications and criminal checks, checks that will show search results from all 50 states.  Your private investigator knows that this is only a small part of the screening process.  A search of civil records from all of the jurisdictions the applicant has lived should be completed, education verifies as well as professional license. credit activity, driving record and a nationwide sex offender and predator search is a must.  The final step should be to contact current and/or past employers and references.  The results are put in a easy to understand report that you can rely on to make an informed decision to refer this person or not.  It may seem like a lot, but the professional private investigator should be able to have the screening completed in less than 24 hours.  It is that simple.