Why Verify Employment Records
Employers verify employment records for many reasons. For example, does an applicant’s resume look too good to be true? Are the references provided difficult to reach, deceased, or hesitant to discuss any employment issues due to litigation concerns? Do you want to know what types of positions the applicant may have held but not listed? Verifying past employment records can paint a clearer picture of an applicant’s work history. In addition, you may want to run a criminal background check to ensure that you are aware of any past convictions. By conducting a thorough criminal background check and taking the time to verify employment records, you are taking crucial steps in protecting your business and its employees from decisions made without vital information.What to Expect When You Verify Employment Records
Because all people are individuals with personal histories all their own, few records searches are identical. You may not find any information on an applicant at all. This is particularly true if the applicant is fresh out of school and hasn’t yet built an employment history. You may also find that some applicants have long records, with frequent job changes. This isn’t necessarily cause for alarm given the move from lifelong careers at a single company to shorter stints at many companies. For applicants with longer histories, it’s not unusual for applicants to exclude some employers from their resumes and applications. This, too, is not generally cause for alarm as it often makes sense only to highlight relevant work experience.How to Verify Employment Records
In order to verify work histories, you should have the applicant fill out a form giving you permission to verify past employment as well as giving former employers permission to release information. Once you have permission, make copies of this document and send it, along with a list of employment questions that you want answered, to the applicant’s previous employers. It’s not unusual for employers to be tight-lipped about answering questions due to concerns about litigation. You may need to enlist the applicant’s help in convincing past employers to assist you.Additional Verify Employment Records Considerations
In addition to sending inquiries to past employers, you may also want to consider other options. For example, using a third party employment verification company to handle employment verification tasks on your behalf may be a better choice. These systems consist of huge databases taken from payroll systems and other sources and are used by employers to verify work histories as well as by creditors to make smart lending decisions. Criminal background checks and Social Security number verifications are also smart. Not only may you find out that an applicant has a criminal history, you may find out that an applicant is not in the U.S. legally which could potentially land you in trouble with the law.