As a small business owner, I make it a point to conduct people background checks on job applicants. There are many benefits to doing pre-employment screening, first of which is that it will ensure the safety and security of my company, workers, and most especially our clientele. In addition, if an employee hurts a co-worker or a customer, I won’t be charged with negligent hiring if I can show sufficient proof that I conducted people background checks before hiring him.
Hiring private investigators to do background checks is costly. To be economical, I turn to online companies that offer people background check solutions. These web based indices enable me to check out if a job candidate had a history of theft or any criminal offence. Furthermore, considering that I employ delivery staff, I likewise verify if they have no history of speeding, road side accidents, or driving under the influence. In addition, I confirm if a job candidate who is a non-US citizen can legally take a job here by running a search on the E-verify system online.
From experience, some of the pieces of information that a job applicant provides on their curriculum vitae do not match public records. Usually, visiting white pages people search databases online, I discover that there are discrepancies as to where the applicant presently resides in as well as his contact details. A few of the candidates also forget or simply do not put in work references. As an employer, it is incumbent upon me to take reasonable efforts to contact his previous employers.
When contact details of their previous employers are not provided, I turn to white pages people search websites which commonly have business directories as well. Furthermore, by speaking with their former bosses I will be able to obtain specifics of the job candidate’s productivity at work, as well as his achievements. I understand that the information provided by these websites may be accurate, but incomplete.
Some omissions may be made to protect other parties involved such as in criminal records. It’s my responsibility to give the job candidates “the benefit of the doubt” and screen them individually by allowing them to give an explanation as to the discrepancies. The secret to any successful business is to have an impressive and cohesive workforce. By carrying out pre-employment screening, I am able to assemble a team of adept, honest, and reliable workers.
