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Tuesday, February 25 2020
3 Reasons Employers Should Invest in Reference Checks

Consider the following scenario: The owner of a food distribution company is looking to hire a new Vice President. They’re vetting a number of candidates, all of whom have interviewed well and passed their background screening.

 

The next step is to check the applicants’ references. No matter your industry, reference checks are vital to the hiring process.

 

What Are Reference Checks?

Reference checks occur when a hiring manager contacts the candidate’s previous employers, schools, or other third-party sources to learn more about their qualifications. These checks allow the company to explore the applicant’s employment history, educational background, and character.

 

These checks can be as simple as confirming the candidate’s job title and dates of employment. They can also be relatively complex, and explore the individual’s skillset and general work performance.

 

A key part of the screening process, reference checks are also an important part of employment verification. They can be used to confirm truthfulness on a resume or job application, and make sure the applicant’s abilities truly align with the job in question.

 

Reference Checks in San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and Austin

Redstar Backgrounds conducts reference checks on behalf of companies and nonprofit organizations throughout Texas and nationwide. Our expert team can oversee the entire reference check process, and contact your job candidates’ personal and professional references.

 

Often, reference checks are completed via phone interview. Conversely, digital reference checks allow candidates to submit requests to their contacts online.

 

Background screening companies like Redstar verify the information references provide and organize the data. The result is a well-organized, simplified hiring process.

 

We may ask the applicant’s references questions such as:

 

  • What dates did the applicant work at your organization?

 

  • Describe a situation where the applicant helped solve a problem.

 

  • How would you describe the applicant’s communication? What about their collaboration with others?

 

  • Would you hire the applicant again?

 

A combination of general and specific questions—many of them open-ended—will offer deep insights into the candidate’s character and capabilities.

 

It’s worth noting that Texas law protects employers against defamation lawsuits based on employer references, so long as the employer does not intentionally provide false information. In addition, all information employers release to hiring managers should be factual and non-inflammatory in nature.

 

Why Should Texas Employers Invest in Reference Checks?

If your organization isn’t already checking applicants’ references, we strongly encourage you to start doing so. Companies that invest in reference checks can save time and make better-informed hiring decisions.

 

Here are three reasons to start reference checking:

 

  1. Clarify ambiguous parts of the candidate’s cover letter and resume.

Say an applicant nailed their interview, but their cover letter and resume leave something to be desired. Perhaps there are missing dates, discrepancies in their location, or other issues. Reference checks can help clarify information that doesn’t add up.

 

  1. Better understand the applicant’s expertise.

We all have our strengths and weaknesses. That said, past performance is a great indicator of future performance. Reference checks, in this way, can help employers get a sense of the candidate’s abilities. This can help them determine whether the candidate would be a good fit for the new role.

 

  1. Hire the most qualified candidates for the position.

Hiring managers and recruiters want to fill openings with top-qualified, experienced professionals. By conducting reference checks, employers can eliminate untruthful candidates, get a sense of how well applicants collaborate with others, and glean other essential information.

 

Are you interested in learning more about conducting reference checks? Please contact us for details. You can also follow Redstar Backgrounds on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information and updates.

Posted by: Ryan J. McClure AT 04:02 pm   |  Permalink   |  Email
Wednesday, February 12 2020
Motor Vehicle Records Checks Are Crucial to Texas Employers. Here's Why

Do you work in the transportation industry?

 

Or, do you employ team members who drive on the job?

 

If so, you understand that motor vehicle records (MVR) checks are crucial to your success. Texas recruiters who are hiring drivers—or any employee who will be driving on company time—must do their due diligence and invest in MVR checks. In fact, companies operating in industries regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) must request a new copy of their drivers’ records every year.

 

What Are Motor Vehicle Records Checks?

Motor vehicle records checks are critical to the background screening process. These checks are used to investigate the driving history of an applicant or current employee, and to help employers review other essential information.

 

Generally, MVR checks disclose whether an individual has:

 

- Traffic violations

- Unpaid parking tickets

- Vehicular crimes (including convictions like a DUI)

- An extensive motor vehicle accident history

 

They also include information such as the applicant’s:

 

- Driver’s license status, class, type, number, and expiration date

- Driving history (including any deducted points from the Department of Motor Vehicles)

- Driving restrictions (including glasses, hearing aids, and other relevant information)

- Special endorsements

 

If you aren’t familiar with the term “MVR check,” you might still be aware of this type of screening. MVR checks are also known as motor vehicle report checks, motor vehicle reports, driving records checks, and driver’s license verification.

 

How Do MVR Checks Work in Texas?

Redstar Backgrounds conducts MVR checks on behalf of companies, nonprofits, and government agencies throughout Texas. Our goal is to help your organization stay in compliance with the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

 

At the state level, MVR checks bring organizations transparency so they can make the best possible hiring decisions. They also help to keep track of employees’ driving history over time. Driver’s license records are maintained by the Department of Motor Vehicles in each state.

 

It’s important to note that since there is no national database—and since Texas companies may hire candidates with licenses from other states—MVR checks are generally completed for the state where the applicant was issued their license. In most U.S. states, driving records date back three to seven years.

 

Why Do MVR Checks Matter for Employers?

Motor vehicle records checks focus on an applicant or employee’s driving activity. However, the benefits of this type of screening go far beyond the open road.

 

For instance, MVR checks reveal a great deal about the driver’s character. By adhering to basic traffic laws, the candidate shows they have integrity—and that they can follow standard procedures.

 

In addition, MVR checks are often used to verify the candidate’s identity. Many employers use MVR reports to confirm the applicant’s legal name, date of birth, and other critical details.

 

Something to consider: If an MVR check comes back with negative results, employers should proceed as they would in the case of a standard criminal records check. This means that before a hiring decision is made, the applicant should be issued a copy of the report and given time to correct any errors.

 

Ultimately, employers in Texas and nationwide must confirm their team members act responsibly behind the wheel. Motor vehicle records checks are an ideal strategy for doing so.

 

Are you interested in learning more about MVR checks? These checks are just one piece of the overall background screening process—and we’d be happy to walk you through our full suite of solutions. Simply contact Redstar Backgrounds for details. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn for more information.

Posted by: Maddie Cohen AT 10:11 am   |  Permalink   |  Email
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