Pre-employment background checks are crucial to finding the right candidates for staff openings – and avoiding the candidates that could cause problems for the organization. Poor hiring decisions not only impair business performance and damage staff morale; they could also result in negligent hiring litigation against the company.
The following are five of the most important elements of successful pre-employment background checks:
1. Skills, Aptitude and Experience
Of course, the most important element of determining if a candidate will be a fit for a job is their ability to perform the tasks involved. Checking for and confirming both their past experience and current skill level is essential in determining if they will be successful on the job. Cognitive abilities may be tested or assessed based upon their answers to challenging interview questions; however, relevant pre-employment tests can also be administered. If specific motor stills or sensory abilities are required for the job, the candidate should undergo appropriate testing for these skills.
2. Rule Out Criminal History
Accidentally hiring someone with a criminal history can be damaging to the company on a number of levels. Not only could it be detrimental to overall company performance and productivity, but it can also create an unsafe workplace. A criminal incident can result in physical danger to the staff, bad P.R. for the company as well as the possibility of negligent hiring lawsuits. Such incidents can be a tremendous blow to staff morale. Professional pre-employment background checks can assist with a thorough check of criminal history so that high-risk individuals can be avoided.
3. Emotional Intelligence
Without emotional intelligence, even the most impressive intellect may not be a fit within an existing workplace climate. A high IQ can be undermined by the absence of balance within an individual’s personality. Assessing candidates for emotional intelligence can inform the hiring process and help ensure the candidate will be able to handle the stresses and social situations required for the job. There are a number of emotional intelligence tests available online; however, targeted interview questions can also allow HR staff to get a sense of a candidate’s “EQ.”
4. Financial History
Positions that will require the handling of cash, finances or financial information can be sensitive in terms of the risk of theft and dishonesty. Candidates for such positions should be screened in terms of their credit history and criminal history. Professional pre-employment background checks can assist in performing these critical checks. However, companies should be mindful of only doing these types of credit pre-employment background checks for positions that require financial honesty and reliability.
5. Compliance and Legal Methods
While testing and specific screening elements are crucial to successful hiring, the method in which the screening is conducted is also important. Pre-employment background checks must be done legally and in compliance with current EEOC guidelines. These include not using testing that is discriminatory to any group or that lacks relevance to the position. Using a professional pre-employment background checks service can help to ensure that many aspects of screening are conducted legally.
Employees are the backbone of every company, and successful pre-employment background checks are key to successful hiring. Businesses that address these five areas will dramatically increase their odds of hiring ideal candidates for each position. A professional pre-employment background checks service can help to ensure compliant, thorough and effective employment screening that leads to optimal hiring.
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