Whether a global corporation or a small business, hiring the right person is a critical task for any organization. By using background investigation services, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to hire qualified employees who meet your organization’s standards and values. To further understand their importance and what they involve, take an in-depth look at background investigation services.
What Are Background Investigation Services?
Background investigation services help you verify the personal and professional history of a potential employee. By using these services, you’ll ensure that your candidates possess the qualifications, experience, and integrity they claim to have.
Typically, background check information includes:
- Employment history verification: This information guarantees your candidates have the experience listed on their resumes.
- Education verification: Confirm a potential employee’s degrees, certificates, and other educational claims.
- Criminal history check: Identify any legal issues that could pose a risk to your organization.
- Credit history: For fiduciary roles, screen for financial responsibility.
- Reference checks: Gain relevant insight into a candidate’s previous work performance and character.
To meet the specific needs of your industry, company, or job, many providers like PSI Background Check offer customizable background check packages.
Why Do You Need Background Investigation Services?
Even if you run a smaller operation, you still need to invest in background checks for all potential employees. Follow along to discover the reasons why.
1. Protect Your Workplace Culture
Hiring the wrong individual can have a ripple effect on team dynamics and culture. With background checks, you can be confident you only hire people who align with your company’s values and can positively contribute to your team.
2. Ensure Compliance
Many industries like health care, education, and finance have regulatory requirements for employee background checks. When you use reputable professional background investigation services, you’ll meet all legal and industry-specific compliance standards.
3. Safeguard Your Company’s Reputation
The cost of a bad hire can extend beyond lost productivity and cause serious damage to your company’s reputation. By displaying possible red flags before someone joins your organization, pre-employment background checks minimize these risks.
4. Reduce Turnover Rates
Verifying employment and educational history ensures you only hire people with the right skills for the job. This reduces the likelihood of hiring someone who leaves quickly because they weren’t a good fit.
5. Prevent Legal Risks
Hiring without conducting a background check leaves you exposed to potential lawsuits. For example, failing to screen a candidate’s criminal record for a position that involves working with vulnerable populations might lead to claims of negligence or other legal consequences.
Types of Background Checks and Their Applications
Background investigation services are not one-size-fits-all. Depending on your business and the roles you’re hiring for, you may prioritize some checks over others.
1. Employment History Verification
If you want to make sure your candidates have the skills they claim to, background check services allow you to verify that their resume matches their actual work experience. For roles that require specialized skills or expertise, these screenings are especially critical.
2. Criminal History Check
For roles that involve handling sensitive information, working with vulnerable populations, or managing company assets, criminal record checks are a must. By performing these checks, you’ll minimize risk while ensuring workplace safety.
3. Education Verification
Candidates sometimes exaggerate or falsify their education credentials, but performing an education verification can confirm degrees, certifications, and the institutions they attended.
4. Reference Checks
Speaking directly to a candidate’s past employers, supervisors, or colleagues gives you valuable insight into their work ethic and interpersonal skills. Plus, this step helps you identify any potential red flags beyond what they listed in their resume or cover letter.
5. Drug Testing
Depending on your industry or organizational policies, drug testing may be necessary to ensure that new hires meet health and safety standards. Generally, drug testing is a common practice for industries like manufacturing or transportation.
6. Credit History Check
For accounting roles or other positions that involve financial responsibility, a credit history check will ensure you only hire financially reliable candidates.
By tailoring background checks to the specific requirements of your business, you can maximize the value of your investigation efforts.
Steps To Implement Background Investigation Services
Step 1: Define Your Needs
Not every role requires the same level of screening, so begin by identifying the types of background checks necessary for each role you’re hiring for. For instance, a data analyst may require a criminal history check, while a financial controller likely requires a credit history review.
Step 2: Choose the Right Background Investigation Service Provider
Select a provider with experience in your industry and a strong reputation for accuracy and compliance. Look for services that offer customizable solutions and have a transparent pricing structure.
Step 3: Comply With Legal Guidelines
Regulations for background checks vary by country and even by state, so always make sure your process complies with these regulations. For example, laws like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) in the US require employers to notify candidates and obtain written consent before conducting background checks.
Step 4: Communicate With the Candidate
Maintain transparency by informing the candidate upfront about the background checks you plan to conduct. Be clear about how you’ll use their information and who will have access to it.
Step 5: Review Results Thoroughly
Once you receive the background check results, review them in detail and use the information to make an informed hiring decision. However, also consider context—a minor issue in the distant past may not be relevant to the current role.
Step 6: Maintain Records
For any background checks conducted, maintain comprehensive records. Doing so will help you demonstrate compliance and protect your organization in case of future legal disputes.
Factors To Consider When Choosing a Background Investigation Provider
To ensure accuracy and legal compliance during the background check process, consider the following important factors when choosing a provider.
- Turnaround time: How quickly can the provider deliver results? Fast turnaround is essential when you’re filling time-sensitive roles.
- Customization: Does the provider offer services tailored to your industry or specific roles?
- Compliance expertise: Does the provider stay up-to-date with legal and regulatory guidelines in your country or state?
- Accuracy: Does the provider deliver accurate and verified information?
- Cost: Look for a service that balances affordability with the quality of outcomes.
By considering these factors, you can partner with a provider that meets your organization’s needs.
Hiring is one of the most important investments your organization makes. Now that you’ve taken an in-depth look at background investigation services, you can hire confidently, protect your company’s reputation, and create a safer, more productive workplace.
Are you ready to make smarter, more informed hiring decisions? Explore the affordable, customizable background investigation services provided by PSI Background Check.
