Background Checks do they really work???

Background Checks do they really work???

Background Checks, are a must to me. They help you validate someone’s work history, education, and criminal record. Of course, you can also validate their credit score and more, but the work history, education, and criminal record are the biggies.

The key is to ensure you use a reputable service, and remember that no matter what the results is you need to use it as apiece to a puzzle not as a deciding factor.

Background checks can be wrong, they can say someone does not have a degree when they really do, or even that their work history does not check out. The key is to always allow the person you are doing the check on to answer any concerns. They may have all the proof you need to validate their work history or education.

As with recommendations and references, background checks should be used as a piece of the puzzle.

Comment by John Heffron on December 14, 2010 at 6:37pm: I totally agree. Vendors make mistakes. It's up to the recruiter to validate the contradictory information and make an informed decision.

Comment by Jason C. Blais on December 15, 2010 at 11:06am: Good post Dean. Unfortunately, what I'm seeing is that more and more companies are viewing background investigations simply as requirement and not using these services to really investigate the background of potential employees. The marketplace has commoditized this service, and employers are buying price first, rather than service first. Some employers only run checks based on the current address, or don't validate SSN's, or don't run aliases. It's as though they are running the investigation to say they ran it, without caring too much about whether or not they are thoroughly screening the candidates.

I certainly agree that these should only be considered a piece of the hiring decision process, and that you should always give an applicant the opportunity to speak to or challenge the results. However, if you're truly concerned about ensuring a safe environment for both your employees and your customers, it's critical that the buyers of these services fully understand what they are buying, and what they are not.