What Employers Should Consider When Evaluating Potential Candidates During a Background Check Process

When it comes to hiring new employees, employers need to be sure that they are making the right decision. To do this, they must evaluate potential candidates during the background check process. This includes verifying the candidate's previous employment, education, criminal history, and other pertinent information to ensure that the candidate is honest about their past experience and credentials. In some cases, the hiring manager will organize a selection committee to review applications and interview and evaluate candidates.

The hiring manager usually holds a meeting to review the profile of the ideal candidate and commission the committee. It is important for employers to understand the needs of their candidates, their prejudices, and the potential of others when evaluating them for a job. A credit self-check can give employers an idea of what they might see and what conclusions they might draw from that information. For example, an employer that contracts financial accounts and sensitive personal information would want to avoid hiring a candidate with a history of embezzlement or identity theft.

Similarly, when hiring for jobs that involve operating vehicles, employers often include verifying driving records as part of the candidate selection process. Employers who overlook this type of relevant criminal record when filling a job may face negligent hiring lawsuits if the person they hire ends up facing new accusations for their behavior at work. Work history is another important element that hiring managers consider when evaluating candidates for a vacancy. Candidates may voluntarily provide information about their military service, if appropriate, but employers should not plan to review that information or seek evidence of their discharge.

By reviewing a person's criminal past, a hiring manager can assess the level of risk that a candidate could pose if given the position in question. Employment, education and credential verifications are also essential steps in helping employers determine if their candidates are qualified for the position in question. This strategy gives the candidate an opportunity to see their history and get a preview of what their hiring manager will see.