Making an Informed and Confident Hire

For many, the hiring process is overwhelming at best and a guessing game at worst.  Including background screening as part of your recruitment process can mitigate the risk in hiring. Background screening typically includes checking references, a criminal record check, verifying credentials and employment history and a credit check.  These checkpoints often reveal more details than a resume and interview with a candidate. 

References
Hire Standard recommends obtaining at least 2 supervisory references for each applicant.  The past work performance of an individual is indicative of future behavior. It will reveal strengths which make you confident, or weaknesses to be aware of.

Criminal Record Check
Verifying your future employee’s criminal record protects your business, clients and customers. If you have employees going into your client’s home, this is a nonnegotiable step. While we want to trust people in good faith, being responsible means being aware. Whether you choose to hire the person knowing about their criminal charges is up to you, but you should never be caught off guard.

Education and Employment Verification
Knowing that the degree or certification that your candidate claims to have is valid and that their employment history is accurate is another important step in making your “eyes wide open” hire.

Credit Check
A search into an applicant’s personal financial status can confirm if they are trustworthy to handle your business’ money. Most office jobs and all financial positions or jobs dealing with inventory should have a credit check performed.

We understand that these are time consuming steps and Hire Standard can assist businesses with the background screening of a potential hire as a complete package or as separate items. Background screening can indicate if a person is a good employee or person of character, however it does not always mean they are the right person for your particular job. Screening for organizational fit means having a solid position profile and job description (see September’s article). Background screening is a stage in the process to compliment a thorough recruitment.