Tips for a Better Criminal Background Check

An applicant’s past has a lot to do with your decision that will affect your company’s future, especially when it comes to criminal records. The implications of the applicant’s past heighten when it is your family’s welfare at risk (when hiring nannies, caretakers or housemaid). That is why a thorough criminal background check must be done to eliminate the dangers that wrong hiring can bring.

Here are some tips to better assess a person’s criminal background.

1. Ask for complete information from your applicant.

There are more things that a resume can tell you. Important information that is left out will tell more that what is written in the résumé.

This tip will be supplemented by a criminal background check too. By comparing the criminal background check with the information given by the applicant, you can see more possible angles to investigate on.

2. Check for information consistencies.

Social Security number can also be checked vis-à-vis the former addresses supplied in the résumé for the validity of the information as well as the proper association of the applicants to the information he supplied.

3. Ask for clarifications regarding inconsistencies that will arise from the resume and the criminal background check

By giving an opportunity to the applicant to clarify some things regarding the résumé he has submitted, you can also test the character of the applicant. Trustworthiness can be quantified in this manner depending on the kind of reasons he will give.

4. Give equal emphasis on address history and workplace history

Some employers give more emphasis on the applicant’s home address. But the fact that working persons spend more time in their workplaces must be given equal considerations too. This tip can be used if the address of the applicant varies from the workplace he has provided in the résumé.

Both workplace address and home address can be used to conduct criminal records search in those areas.

5. Be aware of laws regarding background check.

You do not want to run a criminal background check at the expense of your company having legal responsibilities, right?

These laws must be taken into account when conducting a criminal background check:

- Use of credit history report used in credit-granting purposes in employment screening is prohibited by law.

The format of the credit history report for employment purposes is created to give protection and confidentiality to its owner by hiding information that is not necessary in getting a job. This hidden information is necessary in granting loans, however, because it will give the creditor a vague idea of the person’s capability to pay debts.

- Birth Date (which is a requirement for running criminal history search) cannot be utilized without a release form from the applicant.

This must be done by asking the applicant to prepare a release form with his date of birth. These requirements must be sealed in an envelope and must be treated as confidential. These requirements can only be used for criminal history search.

6. Get Human References

The HR Departments of companies can only give you limited information. However, co-employees or supervisors can give you more important information.

7. Try online criminal background check services.

There are a lot of online companies that offer criminal background check. Also, the crime databases of the government can be accessed too. It is possible to use internet in crime history searches.

Just make sure that you read reviews regarding these companies so that you can get maximum results and get the service that you want.

With all those tips, you will be more assured of your company’s welfare, and the future of your loved ones.