Blog Tuesday, February 28 2023
In the digital age, you may feel we’re all connected. Now more than ever, applicants are considering employment opportunities far from home. People can choose a city or a role they’re interested in and relocate in just a few weeks.
Many candidates come to Texas. Others live in one Texas city and search for work in another. Members of a third group may choose to pursue a new career opportunity in the same city. Here in San Antonio, we see this a great deal.
Yet companies must be diligent about the people they hire. This is where pre-employment screening comes in. Background checks confirm each person you invite to join your team is qualified, trustworthy, and safe.
To screen candidates thoroughly and accurately, many employers hire a professional background check service. Here are five reasons you should have a licensed third-party provider oversee your pre-employment screening:
1. Manage liability risks. Did you know that employers are liable for their employees’ actions in the workplace? This means that if a team member does something illegal on the job, the company could be responsible. To avoid hiring someone with a criminal background or a history of illicit behavior, many employers turn to a professional background check provider. The right service will mitigate your organization’s liability risks.
2. Verify the candidate’s history. You’d be surprised by how many job applicants embellish their qualifications and experience. Research shows that 55% of Americans have lied on their resume at least once. To avoid hiring untruthful people, Texas employers may choose to work with a screening service that can catch those discrepancies early. An experienced provider will go the extra mile in making sure your applicants have the skills they claim.
3. Cultivate a safe work environment. Remember how we mentioned that employers have a legal responsibility for their team members’ actions? They’re also tasked with providing a safe workplace for their staff. This starts with conducting comprehensive background checks on each new candidate—and making sure you aren’t hiring someone with a history of violence or drug use. Your community’s safety, after all, should be a top priority.
4. Protect your organization’s credibility. Hiring the wrong person can have serious consequences on your company’s reputation. Word of mouth spreads quickly, and one person’s actions can hurt your business for years. To preserve your brand and reputation, you’ll want to make certain you only hire high-character people whose values align with your own. Again, this is where a professional background check provider may come in.
5. Hire more efficiently. If you’re reluctant to outsource your pre-employment screening, just think about how more efficient you’ll become. Background check providers have access to a full suite of databases and tools that allow them to conduct comprehensive, accurate checks quickly. This will help your Texas organization make better, faster hiring decisions that will save you time and money.
The job market is competitive, and you want to consider only the best candidates for your company. Redstar Backgrounds can help you make the right hiring decisions by verifying candidates’ credentials, checking their references, and confirming other key information.
Pre-Employment Screening in San Antonio Whether you are in San Antonio or Austin, Corpus Christi or El Paso, pre-employment screening should be a key part of your hiring process.
At Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com, our team will help you through every step. No matter your industry, we’ll craft the exact screening solution you need to vet your job candidates.
Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services here in Texas, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Wednesday, February 22 2023
Pre-employment background checks play a key role in the hiring process.
In addition to making sure a candidate is a good fit for the organization, these checks verify the information applicants provide. A simple screening is an effective way for Texas employers to make sure they are hiring honest, well-qualified people.
This post will offer an overview of pre-employment background checks. It will also cover the benefits of background checks and explain how to conduct them.
What Goes into a Pre-Employment Background Check? Pre-employment screening involves a thorough review of the candidate’s personal, educational, and employment history. The vast majority of background checks look into the applicant’s criminal background too. Reference checks and motor vehicle records (MVR) checks may also come into play.
The purpose of a pre-employment background check is to confirm the applicant has provided truthful, accurate information. Another goal is to uncover potential red flags—say, a felony charge or a fudged resume—that would disqualify the person from being considered.
Different Texas employers may adjust their approach to pre-employment screening based on their needs. For example, a company that hires delivery drivers or requires staff to operate heavy machinery will emphasize driving history more than a healthcare facility would.
Why Conduct Pre-Employment Background Checks? Here are some of the benefits pre-employment screening brings employers:
Looking to elevate your company’s security? Background checks are a great place to start. By conducting a thorough review of a candidate’s criminal history, you can identify safety concerns before you onboard a potentially problematic team member.
By verifying a candidate’s background—namely their criminal, employment, and education history—employers can confirm the applicant has the right skills, character, and experience for the role. This brings us to our next point.
Background checks can also reduce turnover. The idea is to make sure the candidate is a good fit both culturally and for the role in question—before they join the team. This helps to improve retention rates and save money on recruitment.
Background screening offers financial protection against liability. By reviewing an applicant’s history before extending a job offer, employers can show they have taken reasonable steps to avoid putting the company at risk.
Now let’s discuss what a pre-employment background check might look like.
The Pre-Employment Screening Process Here are some common steps involved in a pre-employment background check:
1. Obtaining the applicant’s written consent Before conducting a pre-employment background check, employers must seek the candidate’s consent in writing. This generally includes a release form that authorizes the employer to perform the check.
2. Collecting the candidate’s information After obtaining the release, the employer may request the applicant’s name, address, and date of birth. Companies will likely require the candidate’s Social Security and driver’s license number as well.
3. Completing the background check Finally, the employer can complete the pre-employment background screening process. They can then review the results to determine whether the applicant is right for the role.
Texas employers should note that when it comes to background screening, compliance is key. Redstar Backgrounds can help you stay thorough, compliant, and proactive in your hiring process.
Pre-Employment Screening for Texas Employers Whether you are in San Antonio or Austin, Corpus Christi or El Paso, pre-employment screening should be a key part of your approach to hiring.
At Redstar Backgrounds and DrugScreenKits.com, our team will help you through every step of the background check process. No matter your industry, we’ll craft the exact screening solution you need to vet your staff.
Please contact us for details, or to set up a free consultation. For more information on our screening services here in Texas, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. |