Introduction:
Anyone who has ever hired an employee can attest to the importance of conducting a thorough background check to ensure that the new employee is qualified, trustworthy and reliable. Unfortunately, such checks are not always easy or feasible to perform on one's own, which makes hiring companies who specialize in background checks a popular choice. In this blog post, we will discuss the features and benefits of companies who do background checks and explain why they are the ideal solution for those in need of such services.
Before we delve into the benefits of companies who perform background checks, let's first understand why such checks are critical in the first place. From a legal standpoint, it's important to conduct background checks to ensure that the new employee meets all the necessary criteria to perform their job. Furthermore, conducting a background check will help protect you from potential lawsuits if the employee turns out to be unqualified, or worse, dangerous.
Aside from the legal aspects, conducting a background check can help you make an informed hiring decision. Unlike an applicant's resume, which can be embellished or even falsified, a background check is objective and factual. It can help you verify qualifications, experience, and references, as well as ensure that the applicant has no criminal record, is not on any watch lists, and does not pose a danger to your company's assets or other employees.
Companies who do background checks typically offer various packages or tiers of services, depending on the needs of the employer. A basic background check package may include a criminal record check, employment verification, education verification, and reference checks. More comprehensive packages may include credit checks, drug screening, social media checks, and more.
Once the employer has chosen the package they want, they will provide the company performing the background check with the personal information of the applicant. The company will then use various databases and sources to conduct the necessary checks, and will provide the employer with a detailed report, typically within a few days.
Now that we understand why background checks are necessary and how they are performed, let's look at the benefits of using companies who specialize in this service.
1. Time Savings:
Conducting a background check on your own can be time-consuming and frustrating, taking up valuable time you could've spent building your business. Companies who specialize in background checks can perform the necessary checks for you, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of your business.
2. Compliance:
With the increasing number of laws and regulations governing employment, it's important to conduct background checks in a manner that complies with all legal requirements. By using a company who specializes in background checks, you can ensure that your checks are conducted in compliance with all the necessary laws and regulations.
3. Objectivity:
When conducting a background check on your own, it's easy to become emotionally attached to a candidate and ignore red flags that may indicate that they are not qualified. By using a third-party company to conduct the checks, you can be sure that the results are objective and factual, allowing you to make an informed hiring decision.
4. Expertise:
Companies who specialize in background checks have the necessary expertise and knowledge to conduct the necessary checks effectively and efficiently. They have access to databases and resources that are not available to the average employer, allowing them to uncover information that may be crucial to your hiring decision.
5. Risk Reduction:
Hiring someone who is not qualified or who has a criminal record can significantly increase your company's risk exposure. By using a company who specializes in background checks, you can significantly reduce this risk by ensuring that you hire only qualified and trustworthy candidates.
While the benefits of using companies who specialize in background checks are clear, there may still be objections to paying for such a service. Let's look at some common objections and address them.
1. Cost:
Some employers may think that conducting background checks on their own is cheaper than using a company. However, when you factor in the time spent conducting the checks, the cost of accessing certain databases, and the risk of making a hiring mistake, it becomes clear that using a company is the more cost-effective option.
2. Invasion of privacy:
Some applicants may feel that conducting a background check is an invasion of their privacy. While it's understandable that some people may feel this way, as an employer, it's critical that you protect your company from potential liability and risk.
3. False positives and negatives:
It's true that no background check is 100% accurate. However, companies who specialize in background checks have the necessary expertise to minimize the risk of false positives and negatives. Additionally, most companies will offer a dispute resolution process in case there are errors in the report.
In conclusion, companies who specialize in background checks offer a variety of benefits that make them an ideal solution for employers who want to ensure that they hire only qualified and trustworthy candidates. From time savings to risk reduction, to expertise and compliance with legal requirements, the benefits of using such companies are clear. While there may be objections to conducting background checks, these can be easily addressed with the right information and perspective. By using companies who do background checks, employers can make informed and confident hiring decisions that will benefit their business for years to come.