The onboarding of new employees holds such promise – and possible peril. Businesses turn to background checking services to improve the odds of hiring people who will become longtime, valued employees.
Here are 4 ways proper screenings to reduce turnover.
1. Verify Skills
Someone can look great on paper and make a positive impression during rounds of interviews and still turn out to be a bad fit for a job. While there could be many reasons new hires don’t work out, often it is because they don’t have the right skills or education to do the work successfully.
Background screenings are a proven way to verify that applicants aren’t exaggerating – or even outright lying about – their talent and skills.
2. Set Clear Expectations
Unrealistic expectations on the part of both employers and job candidates can lead to high turnover. For example, if your new employee was under the impression they were hired to handle clients but the actual job is heavy with administrative duties, they could quickly become disillusioned. How could this scenario happen? It’s possible that they weren’t adequately informed about the job responsibilities before accepting the offer.
The recruitment process typically starts with a well-conceived job description that outlines the nature of the job and spells out the expected tasks. This comprehensive listing is matched against the skills and experiences that applicants provide. Background checks serve to verify candidate’s credentials by checking references, education and employment history to generate an accurate and realistic candidate profile.
Having that extra layer of assurance that everyone is on the same page about the job expectations can go a long way when it comes to employee retention.
3. Weed out bad actors
It’s hard to know if someone applying for a job is doing it because they consider it a good career move and truly want to be part of your team, or if they have ulterior motives. Some people can talk a good talk – it’s the art of the con.
How do you know if a candidate is hiding a dark past or if they’re using your company as a stepping stone?
When a company uses proper pre-employment screening tools, including criminal history reviews, it’s a warning that con artists need not apply. Moreover, verifying an applicant’s job history will provide an accurate picture of their employment history. If they have been jumping from job to job, you’ll be able to tell.
4. Promote Good Company Culture
Creating a culture where employees feel valued and part of a team is a major driver in increasing profitability and developing a good business reputation. Continuity is key. It’s in everyone’s interests to bring new people into the fold who will work well with their new coworkers.
A single bad employee can harm this dynamic. And sometimes, it leads good workers to wonder how someone so out of sync was hired in the first place.
While background checks can’t predict the future, they provide evidence that the company took all reasonable and evidence-based steps to make good hiring choices. It also sends your current employees a message that their health and well being is taken seriously.
Why is this so important?
A business is only as good as its employees. Turnover resulting from bad hiring choices is damaging, which is why it’s so important to get the most accurate picture of job candidates before making a final offer.
Contact First Contact HR today to schedule a consultation and ensure a successful and lawful hiring process.