5 Strategies for Performing an Effective Background Check 

The recruiting process can be daunting, especially regarding candidate background screening. However, background checks are a necessary part of the vetting process. They provide employers with invaluable insights into applicants’ past, helping them make informed decisions about who they bring on board. 

TruDiligence, the leader in candidate background screening, has developed five strategies to help employers perform effective background checks and ensure that the right person is hired. This blog post will explore the five strategies for performing effective candidate background screenings.

1. Use a Variety of Sources for the Background Check

When it comes to effective background screening of potential candidates, using various sources is essential. Companies should be comprehensive when looking into a candidate’s past and present work history, as well as their educational background and personal character. 

Utilizing several different sources helps employers obtain a complete picture of the individual and make a more informed decision regarding employee recruitment. Some sources employers may utilize include public records, credit reports, and criminal background checks. It’s also beneficial to look at social media accounts, especially in cases where the job requires the candidate to have an online presence. 

Additionally, employers may consider obtaining letters of reference from previous employers, colleagues, or teachers that can provide insight into the candidate’s competence and integrity. References can offer valuable information regarding the candidate’s honesty, respectfulness, and other qualities, which are important when determining the candidate’s overall character.

2. Go Beyond the Resume

When it comes to employee recruitment,  a resume can only tell you so much. It is important to go beyond a candidate’s resume and look deeper into their background to assess their competency and integrity. To get the full picture of a potential employee consider the following:

• Professional social media profiles
• Online job applications
• Verifying education and work history
• Criminal record checks

By going beyond the resume and digging into an applicant’s background, you can gain valuable insights into their competency and integrity. This can help you make an informed decision when selecting new employees for your organization.

3. Conduct In-Depth Interviews

Regarding background checks, employee recruitment is about more than just ensuring a candidate has the right skills and experience. 

It’s also important to assess the candidate’s competency and integrity. This can be done through in-depth interviews, allowing you to better understand the person behind the CV. 

When conducting interviews, ask questions beyond the resume and cover areas such as past accomplishments, workplace challenges, and experiences working with different people. It would help if you also asked questions that explore a  candidate’s interests, values, and motivations. This will give you an indication of their attitude and approach to work.

 Finally, remember to observe nonverbal cues and body language during the interview. These can tell a lot about a candidate’s honesty and communication with others. This information can help you make an informed decision when evaluating potential hires.

4. Check Professional References

When it comes to employee recruitment, one of the most important steps in a thorough background screening process is checking professional references. This allows employers to understand the candidate’s competency and integrity better. 

Professional references provide employers with insight into the candidate’s work history, knowledge level, and performance in their previous positions. 

When contacting professional references, employers should ask open-ended questions about the candidate’s qualifications. Questions should focus on the specific skills required for the role and assess the candidate’s ability to apply them in past roles. 

Employers should also inquire about candidates’ work ethic, problem-solving capabilities, communication style, and leadership qualities. Professional references should be contacted directly by phone rather than by email or text message. 

5. Consider the Whole Person

When performing a background check, it’s important to consider the whole person rather than just their resume or interview performance. Employee recruitment should always involve assessing a candidate’s competency and integrity. This can be done by looking at the overall picture of their background, character, and professional history. 

Background checks can provide insight into how reliable and trustworthy a candidate is and determine their level of experience and qualifications for the role. It can also help uncover any potential legal or criminal issues that might have been missed in other screening processes. 

It is important to remember that a background check is an opportunity to assess a candidate’s suitability for the role, not just their credentials. During your evaluation process, consider the whole person to understand the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses and determine whether they are the right fit for your organization.

The Bottom Line on Effective Background Checks

When it comes to employee recruitment, conducting effective background checks is a key step in the process. It ensures that candidates are competent and have the integrity needed for a successful hire. Background checks also help reduce liability and protect your company from potential risks. To perform an effective and streamlined background check, contact us today.