Pre-Employment Screening-3 WC Blog 633
Background Investigation-4
Top Hiring Mistakes Include Failing To Conduct A Background Investigation
One of the top hiring mistakes I have seen from employers is the failure to conduct pre-employment screening on prospective job candidates. There are a number of unforeseen problems that can and often do manifest themselves only after a new employee is brought on the team. There are also consequences for employers that make hiring mistakes, like losing great candidates. From an article in Business News Daily by Sammi Caramela, January 8, 2018, “Hiring? Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes”, the writer mentions several that jumped out at me and one that I have been guilty of committing. Among those mentioned by the writer:
• Trusting first impressions – It is not unheard of for a manager to be influenced by the first impression a candidate gives to them.
• Lacking transparency – This applies the business failing to be clear about the job and what it may entail. Applicants should have a realistic understanding of the position.
• Forgetting to highlight culture – Ms. Caramela points out that businesses may neglect to promote the “style and culture” of the company which can include salary, benefits and even perks. For example, a flexible work schedule may be something that could appeal to some strong candidates.
• Being too narrow in your search – The writer reminds us that hiring a diverse team means being open to hiring various age groups, races, genders, etc. Expanding the background of the people on a team brings in new ideas and perspectives.
These are excellent reminders that managers should consider as they post job ads and begin the interviewing process. What the article failed to mention is that not completing a background investigation is also a common mistake.
Pre-employment screening is more than an employer calling the contacts or references listed on an applicant’s resume. It involves a deeper dive into the candidate’s past. This may involve a driver history, a credit report and even a criminal background check. As an employer you might not want someone who is a partaker of illegal drugs working for you. A screening can include drug testing of candidates prior to welcoming them on board. Looking into a person’s past can uncover information that the person may have been attempting to conceal from you. Why would they do that? Some people may have convictions for crimes and believe they would not be considered for a job if they noted it on an application. Someone may job hop because they have an inability to control their temper and they have been fired multiple times. They list a reference as someone they know who will pretend to have been a supervisor. A background investigation by a reputable company that specializes in them can discover these types of deceptions. A hiring manager may not recognize that the reference is not a credible source of information. Screening applicants improves the chances that a candidate under consideration for a position will be a good choice and not one that will carry negative consequences.
So which of the five mistakes listed have I been guilty of committing? I confess in the past I have erred by trusting the first impression of a job applicant. This candidate had an outgoing personality, he maintained eye contact with me and according to his resume he had prior Loss Prevention experience. We conducted an interview in which he did really well, answering questions with strong responses. A preliminary job offer was made and when the company’s background check was complete we started his training. Over the next two months the employee made several poor decisions and I eventually had to fire him. It was only after his departure I learned through a second-hand source that the former employee had been fired from a job in Florida under questionable circumstances. I learned that the background investigation completed by our company or whoever they contracted with were not very thorough. Had the check been more complete the details of a gap in employment may have been uncovered. I may have also been alerted to the incident that led to his alleged dismissal. I still have to admit I was blinded by my first impression and that was my own fault.
Don’t make hiring mistakes that can hurt your business. Be open to hiring people with different perspectives. Be clear in what the job you are filling really requires of an employee, highlight the benefits of working for your business and don’t be sucked in by first impressions. Finally, be sure that an experienced company conducts pre-employment screening of job candidates you are considering. In-depth screening ensures applicants with sketchy backgrounds are removed from your applicant pool and only the best remain.
A background investigation is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
One of the top hiring mistakes I have seen from employers is the failure to conduct pre-employment screening on prospective job candidates. There are a number of unforeseen problems that can and often do manifest themselves only after a new employee is brought on the team. There are also consequences for employers that make hiring mistakes, like losing great candidates. From an article in Business News Daily by Sammi Caramela, January 8, 2018, “Hiring? Avoid These 7 Common Mistakes”, the writer mentions several that jumped out at me and one that I have been guilty of committing. Among those mentioned by the writer:
• Trusting first impressions – It is not unheard of for a manager to be influenced by the first impression a candidate gives to them.
• Lacking transparency – This applies the business failing to be clear about the job and what it may entail. Applicants should have a realistic understanding of the position.
• Forgetting to highlight culture – Ms. Caramela points out that businesses may neglect to promote the “style and culture” of the company which can include salary, benefits and even perks. For example, a flexible work schedule may be something that could appeal to some strong candidates.
• Being too narrow in your search – The writer reminds us that hiring a diverse team means being open to hiring various age groups, races, genders, etc. Expanding the background of the people on a team brings in new ideas and perspectives.
These are excellent reminders that managers should consider as they post job ads and begin the interviewing process. What the article failed to mention is that not completing a background investigation is also a common mistake.
Pre-employment screening is more than an employer calling the contacts or references listed on an applicant’s resume. It involves a deeper dive into the candidate’s past. This may involve a driver history, a credit report and even a criminal background check. As an employer you might not want someone who is a partaker of illegal drugs working for you. A screening can include drug testing of candidates prior to welcoming them on board. Looking into a person’s past can uncover information that the person may have been attempting to conceal from you. Why would they do that? Some people may have convictions for crimes and believe they would not be considered for a job if they noted it on an application. Someone may job hop because they have an inability to control their temper and they have been fired multiple times. They list a reference as someone they know who will pretend to have been a supervisor. A background investigation by a reputable company that specializes in them can discover these types of deceptions. A hiring manager may not recognize that the reference is not a credible source of information. Screening applicants improves the chances that a candidate under consideration for a position will be a good choice and not one that will carry negative consequences.
So which of the five mistakes listed have I been guilty of committing? I confess in the past I have erred by trusting the first impression of a job applicant. This candidate had an outgoing personality, he maintained eye contact with me and according to his resume he had prior Loss Prevention experience. We conducted an interview in which he did really well, answering questions with strong responses. A preliminary job offer was made and when the company’s background check was complete we started his training. Over the next two months the employee made several poor decisions and I eventually had to fire him. It was only after his departure I learned through a second-hand source that the former employee had been fired from a job in Florida under questionable circumstances. I learned that the background investigation completed by our company or whoever they contracted with were not very thorough. Had the check been more complete the details of a gap in employment may have been uncovered. I may have also been alerted to the incident that led to his alleged dismissal. I still have to admit I was blinded by my first impression and that was my own fault.
Don’t make hiring mistakes that can hurt your business. Be open to hiring people with different perspectives. Be clear in what the job you are filling really requires of an employee, highlight the benefits of working for your business and don’t be sucked in by first impressions. Finally, be sure that an experienced company conducts pre-employment screening of job candidates you are considering. In-depth screening ensures applicants with sketchy backgrounds are removed from your applicant pool and only the best remain.
A background investigation is important and we can help you with it. Call 1.770.426.0547 and let’s talk.
