Hiring qualified people is always a challenge, and it is important for managers to know as much as possible about those they bring into their businesses. This article provides some tips hiring managers can use to conduct effective criminal background checks.
Hiring people is always a challenge, and in a tight labor market it can become even more difficult. Every manager and business owner knows how important it is to screen applicants carefully, and a criminal background check should be part of any hiring plan. Before an offer is extended it is essential to do a thorough background check, and those in a position to hire have a number of resources at their fingertips.
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Of course a big part of conducting an effective criminal background search is gathering as much information as possible from each candidate. It is important to gather basic information such as phone number and address, as well as the names of schools attended and past employers. This information is vital to conducting a thorough background check and criminal profile, and all company application forms should require this type of data.
Knowing the names of former employers can do far more than provide insight into the individual’s work habits and business ethics. This information can also form the basis of a thorough and accurate criminal background search. People tend to spend the majority of their time in and around the places where they live or work, so accessing the criminal court records of the county where the job candidate last lived or worked can reveal a wealth of information.
Running a statewide criminal background search can provide additional information as well, but for the most part a search of the county records should provide adequate information. If the potential hire has moved around a great deal, or if there is reason to suspect that he or she is not being forthright on the application, then a further background check may be warranted.
The internet can also provide valuable insights into the ethics, manners and possible criminal activity of the individual being considered. Sites like MySpace, Flickr and other social networking sites can reveal a wealth of information about individuals and those with whom they associate. The web itself seems to provide a shield for many people, and many individuals are willing to share a great deal about their lives and their interests with total strangers on the internet.
In some cases this shared information will extend to potentially illegal conduct, including drug use and criminal activity. A quick search for the job applicant’s name on a social networking site like MySpace can be a real eye opener, and more and more employers are taking advangage of the power of technology to carefully screen those they plan to hire.
