Blog Post: Employee Background Screening Basics

Following is a short list of critical background screening elements that smart businesses utilize as well as the purpose that each component serves in creating a solid screening program.

1) Conduct a social security trace – this report reveals current and previous addresses along with other names reportedly used by the applicant. This information typically is not truthfully disclosed by a candidate with something to hide.

2) Perform criminal record searches – applicants with a criminal history may not be suitable for certain positions. A county criminal record search is the foundation of a criminal history search because of the availability to the most accurate, up-to-date records available. Federal, state and national level searches can add to the scope and depth of the search.

3) Verify previous employment – contacting previous employers confirms the employee did in fact work there for the timeframe and in the capacity in which they stated, and it also can uncover any unexplained gaps in employment which may be a red flag for time spent in jail.

4) Conduct other searches and verifications appropriate to the position for which you are hiring - examples would include a credit report for financial positions or those with access to large amounts of cash; a driving record history (MVR) for a job with driving responsibilities; or a sex offender registry search for those who will come in contact with children and/or vulnerable adults.

While this is not an exhaustive list of background check components, it will go a long way in showing your due diligence and hiring safe and qualified employees. If you would like more detailed information, visit www.clarifacts.com

Kevin Klimas is the founder and president of Clarifacts Inc, a privately held corporation focused exclusively on employment background screening services.  Clarifacts provides nationwide service across a variety of industries including healthcare, staffing, call center and non-profit just to name a few, with clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to sole proprietorships.