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What is Pre-Employment Screening?

Tammy Cohen, PHR, SHRM-CP

February 9 2015

Pre-employment screening is a crucial component of a job search. Whether you are the job seeker or the potential employer, the process can be a stressful and confusing one to undergo. That’s why choosing the right pre-employment screener is crucial.

For the employer, the investigation process along with the gathering and compiling of a potential employee’s records can be extremely time consuming as well as disappointing if the results are unfavorable. For the candidate, pre-employment screening is a nerve-wracking experience, filled with worry over whether a parking ticket could cost you the position.

However confusing the screening might seem, it is actually just a look into an applicant’s history. This process can benefit not just the employer by helping narrow the pool of potential employees, it also rewards applicants who have worked hard to earn their credentials rather than those who present an application filled with falsehoods. Choose the right pre-employment screener to make the process simple.

What Pre-Employment Screening Does

A large amount of job seekers are lying on their resumes. Studies have found that 46% of background checks found inaccuracies in what information the applicant provided. Also, 36% of driving records showed one or more violations and nearly 1 out of 10 background checks disclosed some form of detrimental information.

A background check can give a business a clear and truthful picture of a potential employee, no matter what information is being presented during the interview process. Through the investigation of their past, a company can be assured that an applicant that is not only qualified for the position, but can be a positive influence on the current employees and a good investment for the business.

What It Entails

There are several searches and databases that a pre-employment screener can use for a background check. This means that the search can be customized to best suit a particular industry, company size or the position that is being filled.

Most screening do include some standard components. It is important to make sure that a criminal history search that covers countywide, statewide and federal agencies is run. A worker’s compensation claims history search, a sex offender registry screening and motor vehicles records screening can also be included to fully ensure a complete reconstruction of an applicant’s history.

There are also screenings that can be run to ensure a job seeker’s resume is truthful. An employment and education verification along with reference interviews can help shed light on the validity of the document.

A few additional searches can be added to help define a candidate’s character. A drug test, a social media search, and a skills assessment can help determine if this is the person that will ideally fill the role.

What Pre-Employment Screening Takes

To run a pre-employment screening, you will need to get some information from the applicant. You at minimum need the full legal name as well as the date of birth from the job seeker. A Social Security number is also good, but you can perform the search without it.

You will also need to make the applicant aware that search is being run. According to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a printed disclosure statement must be given to the person on whom the search is being run to alert them before the screening can begin. A good pre-employment screener will help make this process simple.

Protect Your Business

A pre-employment screening can be beneficial to be a potential employer as well as the applicant, but this detailed and lengthy procedure can be difficult to undertake. A background check company is a good option to look into if you are conducting such an investigation. Not only will this provide you a single source for all of the information, you can also be sure that the pre-employment screener’s search is thorough and conducted legally.

InfoMart's Criminal History Trends Report: 2009 – 2018

Uncover insights that include:

  • how background screening is getting better
  • percentage of violence, theft, fraud, and drug offenses
  • average number of applicants with criminal records

    About Tammy Cohen

    Tammy Cohen, an industry pioneer and expert in identity and employment screening, founded InfoMart 30 years ago. Deemed the “Queen of Screen,” she’s been a force behind industry-leading innovations. She was most recently the first-to-market with a fully compliant sanctions search, as well as a suite of identity services that modernizes talent onboarding. Tammy revolutionized the screening industry when she stepped into the field, developing the first client-facing application and a due diligence criminal search that has since become standard for all background screening companies. Cohen has received national awards and honors for her business and civic involvement, including Atlanta Business Chronicle’s Top 25 Women-Owned Firms in Atlanta, Enterprising Women Magazine’s Enterprising Women of the Year award, the YWCA of Northwest Georgia’s Kathryn Woods Racial Justice Award, and a commendation in the 152nd Congressional Record. To learn more about Tammy, visit www.tammycohen.com.

    About InfoMart

    InfoMart has been revolutionizing the global background and identity screening industry for 30 years, providing businesses the information they need to make informed hiring decisions. They develop innovative technology that modernizes talent onboarding, including a first-to-market biometric identity authentication application and a verified sanctions search. The WBENC-certified company is a founding member of the Professional Background Screening Association, and they have achieved PBSA accreditation in recognition of their consistent business practices and commitment to compliance with the FCRA. The company is dedicated to customer service, speed, and accuracy, and it has been recognized for its success, workplace culture, and corporate citizenship with over 45 industry awards. To Get the Whole Story on InfoMart, please visit www.InfoMart-USA.com, follow @InfoMartUSA, or call (770) 984-2727.

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