Employee recruitment can be challenging because you need to ensure that the candidates you select are trustworthy. The best way to improve the chances of success for your selection is by conducting an appropriate background check and applying due diligence.
Of course, both processes will not help you with decision-making unless you know what to look for. We have been providing these services to businesses for several years, and below we have compiled a list of the most common red flags on background checks to look out for.
What are Background Checks?
A background check is a process that companies use to determine any points of concern regarding the individual they are hiring. It also helps reveal any information candidates may have been trying to hide from the company, like criminal records, work history, education, etc.
Getting a background check before hiring a candidate can help you avoid hiring someone who will compromise workplace safety. It will also reduce the risk of fraud and increase your new hire’s chances of improving business productivity.
6 Common Red Flags During Background Checks
In our experience, the following are the 6 most common red flags that often turn up in candidate background checks:
1. Discrepancies between Candidate Name and their Social Security Number
A candidate having different names on their resume compared to what is linked with their social security number might be trying to hide something. Giving incorrect identification is one of the first red flags you must look out for. Such discrepancies affect your records and prevent you from discovering how risky the candidate is.
2. Criminal Record
A criminal record may not always be a red flag, but knowing the details can help determine if it is. Job-related criminal records are red flags because they reflect the relationship between the candidate’s past behavior and the performance expected on the job. For instance, recent convictions for writing bad checks or theft are red flags for candidates applying for accounting positions.
Similarly, a recent auto theft conviction would pose a potential risk to employers hiring for jobs related to valet parking or other auto services or car rentals.
3. Several Short-Lived Jobs
A series of short-term full-time employments implies the candidate job-hops frequently. It is a red flag because your business will pay significant recruitment and training costs, which will be wasted if the person leaves the organization within the first year of employment.
4. Unexplained Periods of Unemployment
Having several long periods of unemployment is cause for concern, especially if the candidate fails to give you a concrete reason for it. While people take employment breaks to go back to school, care for a loved one, or have health reasons, having several career gaps may result from difficult personality or indecisiveness.
5. Alignment Issues between Resume And Background Check
Discrepancies between the resume, background check, and work history mentioned on social media accounts like LinkedIn can reveal whether the candidate is honest or not. Therefore, it is standard practice to cross-examine the information the person has presented.
6. Refusing a Background Check
Lastly, an employee refusing a background check is a major red flag because it could mean that the candidate is trying to hide something. We recommend including background checks as a hiring policy because hiring someone with a sketchy history may result in losses for your organization.
Wrapping Up
In short, a candidate with some of the red flags mentioned above in a background check is a risky hire, and you should carefully weigh the pros and cons of hiring them before making a final decision. First Contact HR has a reliable history of providing accurate background checks against candidates.
You can click here to receive a quote, email us at info@FirstContactHR.com or call us at (866) 406-2142 to discuss your needs.