Although background checks may be very complex, the small things can truly make the difference in the results. Since these investigations are governed by different laws, simple things can make a difference in the eyes of the legal system.
For example, one of the most important things that needs to be done during a background check actually has to be completed before the investigation. Prior to running the background check, the hiring manger should make sure that the applicant has given their written permission to have their history investigated. The best way to make sure that job seekers don’t forget to fill in the information is by creating a separate form for consent. If the applicant does not remember to sign this form, conducting a background check on them is actually illegal. To afford being prosecuted, someone in the HR department should double check the form.
Another thing that can make a difference when conducting a background check is having the applicants birth date. Many states’ Equal Opportunity Employment laws makes it illegal to ask job seekers their ages, but including a field requesting their birth date is not against the law if done with a background check release form.
Remembering to look into different states and even counties during a background check can also make a huge difference. For the most part, criminal records tend to stay in the area that the crimes were actually committed. This means that if the investigation isn’t thorough, then many offenses won’t be made known.
Attending to these little details, among others, can make a sever difference in the results yielded during a background check.