3/21/2008

We've had two bad hiring experiences in which we found out later that candidates misrepresented certain areas of their background. Now, we want to improve our background checks. What can you recommend? —Isabella, HR Staffing Specialist in Oakland

Great question, Isabella. Background checks can range from a routine check to a full investigation, which might even involve using an outside investigator, which takes time and money.

Most people choose to run a routine background check, which certainly can be effective at a lower cost. To verify past employment, you should check at least the last five years. Look for any unexplained job gaps. Sure, the applicant may have gone back to school, stayed home to care for children or a sick relative, etc., but you are looking for gaps that cannot be explained. Asking the applicant about those gaps may uncover a wealth of important information about the candidate.

Don't be afraid to contact past employers to at least verify that the person actually worked there when the candidate said he or she did. While most employers are reluctant to give actual references, verifying dates of employment and titles held is still very commonplace, especially if the candidate has signed a release form authorizing you to verify his or her work history and releasing the former employer of any liability for providing true verification.

Whether you have a background firm confirm past employment or you conduct the check internally, verification is an absolute must. It may be valuable in making your employment decision, and at the least, it will establish due diligence on your company's behalf. I hope this helps!

—Jared Callahan is a licensed private investigator in California, and is director, client services and production, for Employment Screening Resources in Novato.

Discounted Background Checks Available from ERI Partner

Conducting background checks is an important element of the hiring process, but the costs of checking up on candidates can add up quickly. But a new partnership between the Employer Resource Institute (ERI)—the same people who bring you the award-winning California Employment Law Answers—and Novato-based Employment Screening Resources (ESR) allows ERI member employers to enjoy discounts on employee background checks.

CELA Online and Weekly Q&A subscribers—as well as online subscribers to ERI's other products—can now avoid ESR's $125 enrollment fee and receive 10 percent discounts off the prices other employers pay for ESR background checks.

ESR, a Consumer Reporting Agency, provides pre-employment screening reports to employers, human resources personnel, and security professionals. The company offers various services, including:

• Criminal County Court Search


• Upper Civil County Court Search


• Social Security Number Trace


• DMV/MVR Record


• Employment Verification


• Education Verification


• Professional License/Credentials Verifications


• National (Multi-Jurisdictional) Criminal Record Database


• Sexual Offender Registry Search


• State-of-the-art technology with 24/7 online access to background check results


• And more

Click here for more information and to start taking advantage of this added benefit of being an online subscriber. If you're not yet a CELA Online member, click here to learn more.