Conducting background checks on job applicants is an essential part of the hiring process. Employers often rush through the process or fail to stay up to date on changing laws. This can lead them to make mistakes. These are some of the most common mistakes employers make when conducting background checks on prospective employees and how you can avoid them.
Not Getting a Job Applicant’s Consent First
An employer is legally required to obtain a job candidate’s written consent before conducting a background check. This must be obtained through a form that tells the candidate that the information from a background check will be used to make an employment decision. Conducting a background check without prior consent is a violation of the law that can have serious consequences.
Not Verifying Key Information
A background check company will be careful to obtain correct information, but sometimes mistakes happen. This is often because multiple people have the same name or there is a mistake in a Social Security number or date of birth. Take the time to verify an applicant’s information before conducting a background check so you can get accurate records.
Not Conducting a Complete Background Check
Some employers only check a national criminal history database. This may not include records from all parts of the country. You should also conduct state and local background checks to uncover potential crimes in an employee’s record.
Employers often check applicants’ criminal and work histories but fail to verify their educational backgrounds. Many job applicants include misleading or downright false information on their resumes, including degrees they did not earn and even degrees from institutions of higher learning that do not exist. A thorough background check should always verify a job candidate’s educational background.
Not Giving an Applicant Time to Respond Before Taking Adverse Action
Before you decide not to hire someone because of information uncovered in a background check, you must notify the candidate and give him or her a chance to respond. The information may be incorrect, or the candidate may wish to provide additional information that may affect your decision.
DataCheck Can Help You Conduct Thorough and Accurate Background Checks
Conducting a background check on a job applicant is necessary, but you need to do it carefully. Mistakes often happen because employers don’t understand the law or try to rush through the process.
DataCheck has helped many businesses all over the United States conduct pre-employment background checks. We can help your company comply with all federal, state, and local laws and obtain correct information so you can make the best hiring decisions possible. Contact us today to learn more.