Background Check
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What Are Background Checks?
Conducting background checks constitutes a crucial aspect of the hiring process, offering employers valuable insights into a candidate’s past, aiding in the prediction of their performance in a new role.
As the foremost method of pre-employment screening, background checks have stood the test of time. They are extensively utilized by employers to uncover information such as criminal records, financial obligations, and past job terminations of candidates.
The significance of background checks lies in their ability to safeguard companies from potential harm caused by employees. Ensuring that prospective hires pose no threat to the organization is a key motivation behind the employment of background checks.
Understanding the various types of employment background checks and their impact on the hiring process is essential. Below, you’ll find a compilation of the ten most common types of employment background checks.
Examining criminal history is a specific category within background checks, delving into an individual’s past legal records. This process is undertaken to verify the eligibility of a job applicant for the position they seek.
The application of criminal history checks extends to various scenarios, including employment considerations and granting access to confidential information. Employers often opt for these checks to ensure they are not hiring individuals with a criminal record, mitigating potential risks and safeguarding the workplace.
This check examines past social media activity, acknowledging the significance of social media as a tool for both businesses and consumers. This interactive platform provides individuals with the opportunity to express themselves across various networks, yet it carries inherent risks.
Using social media comes with the potential for unintended consequences, as posts may be made without full consideration of their interpretation or the ensuing consequences. Risks encompass the spread of misinformation and the possibility of offending consumers through posts. Awareness of these risks is crucial, prompting individuals to take appropriate measures to avoid causing more harm than good in the long run.
This check validates the claimed past employment history of an individual. Employment verification is a service dedicated to confirming the accuracy of a person’s job history as stated in their resume or CV. It involves verifying whether the individual has been employed by any company, organization, or establishment.
The verification process poses a significant challenge for employers and HR professionals, requiring extensive time on the phone and completion of numerous forms to conduct background checks, confirm diplomas, or obtain other necessary information.
When hiring, companies commonly request employment history from applicants. However, some individuals may be untruthful about their job experience, engaging in dishonesty regarding their professional background.
This examination investigates any adverse credit information related to the applicant. In the event of credit discrepancies, the findings will specify the precise details contributing to the credit report.
Credit bureaus, specifically Experian, Equifax, and Transunion, gather and store data concerning an individual’s credit history. These comprehensive reports encompass details about borrowing history, including the number of loans, interest rates, repayment history, and the status of loans (paid off or associated with bankruptcy).
Validating education credentials is a crucial step in the hiring process, ensuring that the job candidate possesses the necessary level of education and relevant skills for the position.
Typically, this verification entails checking the validity of a candidate’s diploma, degree, or certificate, ensuring it is issued by an accredited institution. It serves the additional purpose of preventing the misuse of someone else’s credentials to secure a position for which they lack qualification.
Education verification is a standard procedure for most jobs in both private and public sectors, involving the authentication of one’s educational qualifications and the verification of the certificate and its issuing university.
In the hiring process, reference checks play a vital role by offering insights into an applicant’s professional history, delivered value, character, and certain qualifications not explicitly outlined in their resume.
These checks serve as a means to validate softer skills information that may be absent from resumes or other application documents. Contacts with current or previous employers and nominated professional references facilitate the reference check process.
Primarily utilized by prospective employers, reference checks delve deeper into a candidate’s work habits, abilities, and personality traits. Current employers, if approached, may also provide insights into attendance records and performance evaluations, depending on local employment regulations and customs.
Conducting reference checks is a standard practice among employers, providing a comprehensive understanding of potential team members and ensuring alignment with the company’s values and requirements.
A document known as a “Professional Qualifications Check for Employment,” or alternatively referred to as “Professional Credentials Verification,” serves to confirm an individual’s professional qualifications.
Prospective employers can utilize this document to verify whether an individual is qualified for the job they are applying for. The verification process encompasses the individual’s employment history, education, training, professional memberships, and any other pertinent information.
Professional qualifications checks involve a series of assessments conducted by employers to evaluate a prospective employee’s suitability for a job. These checks aim to ensure that the applicant possesses the qualifications necessary for the position they are seeking.
Employers can perform various types of professional qualifications checks, including examinations of the candidate’s educational and work background, as well as assessments of their skills and abilities.
Civil litigation history checks are commonly mandated for employment due to the potential liabilities associated with hiring individuals involved in civil lawsuits. The purpose of such checks is to ascertain if the person being considered for hire has past claims that could impact their work performance or pose a liability for the company.
These checks extend beyond employment screening, also serving to assess individuals with regular contact with children or vulnerable adults, including volunteers.
Employers conduct civil litigation history checks for various reasons:
1. To comply with legal requirements.
2. To safeguard the company from potential liabilities.
3. To protect children or vulnerable adults from the risk of abuse.
Conclusion: Use Employment Background Check To Streamline The Process Of Hiring & Protect Your Company's Reputation
The hiring process stands as a pivotal element for any company, shaping the caliber and performance of incoming employees. To ensure a smooth hiring process, employers often implement background checks on potential candidates, drawing information from diverse sources such as criminal history reports or credit reports. Employers may opt for the convenience and cost-effectiveness of employment background check service providers.
These services prove beneficial for employers by furnishing details about a person’s past work experience, education, and other pertinent professional information. Armed with such insights, employers can make well-informed decisions when bringing new employees on board.
To initiate an employment background check, employers select specialized service providers, responsible for verifying the applicant’s identification and employer details.
Utilizing cloud SaaS platforms, websites, or phone requests, these providers ensure the accuracy of the information provided, conducting thorough and reliable reports that highlight any noteworthy discrepancies.