A Guide To The Work Background Check Process For Tech Companies

All hiring managers and recruiters have their own process for conducting work background checks. These reports are essential in vetting out candidates and ensuring a company only hires the best. As the hiring manager for a tech company, you need to know what specifics to investigate as you proceed with an applicant’s background check. In the field of technology especially, you have to find candidates whose personalities, abilities, and character all fit within your company’s values. However, you may not know how each step in the process works. Keep reading for a guide to the work background check process for tech companies.

Employment History

For many human resource professionals, the work background check process begins by looking at an applicant’s employment history. This is mainly to ensure the work history they provided on their resume is accurate. It is decently common for applicants to lie on their resume. It is your job to catch those lies to guarantee your company is hiring qualified applicants. Though a candidate may be truthful regarding which titles they held, they may be dishonest about the responsibilities of the position. Do not be afraid to reach out to previous employers if you feel an applicant is playing fast and loose with the truth. When you begin the work background check process, be sure to verify the applicant’s employment history.

Criminal History

As a part of the work background check process, hiring managers will have to conduct criminal history inquires. This is even true for companies that will hire someone with a DUI despite the criminal record. After all, this minimizes a company’s liability in the event an employee breaks the law while working there. Depending on the state, you have access to an applicant’s detailed criminal history. This includes past arrests, charges, and incarcerations. Of course, there are restrictions on this check and how you use the information. An applicant must give you permission to run the background check at all. If the results of the inquiry cause you to eliminate them as a potential candidate, you must provide them with a copy of the report and explain what has disqualified them. As you move through the work background check process, ensure you are following state laws on criminal background checks.

Civil Violations

In addition to criminal misconduct, you will have access to applicants’ civil violations through a work background check. Most pre-employment background checks include a report that covers an applicant’s civil infraction history. This check provides information on cases brought up in civil court. These cases may include civil theft, vandalism, or other crimes committed against single victims as opposed to the state. If someone is sued for civil wrong-doing, this report will tell you. There are two types of civil violation checks you can conduct, county and federal. Though you need not conduct either check at all, ascertaining an applicant’s civil violation history gives you insight into the type of individual you may be hiring. A civil violation check is an important step in the work background check process because your tech company wants to employ upstanding individuals.

Reference Checks

An often overlooked step in the work background check process is the checking of an applicant’s references. As the hiring manager, you expect these references to offer a subjective view of the candidate. Of course, the applicant will only list people who they believe will vouch for their professional abilities and personal character. This does not diminish the value of these testimonies, however. Use this step in the process to get outside opinions on the applicant’s talents, personality, and work ethic. Though many employers fail to use reference checks, they are important to the work background check process to ensure that your candidate is a good fit.

Education Verification

Finally, as you conduct the work background check process, verify the education credentials provided by the applicant. Most employers demand very specific education requirements. Studies have shown that many applicants are dishonest on their resumes. This includes the education section. That makes verification of education history essential, especially for tech companies. An application could say that an individual took continuing education courses in the tech field, but you cannot be sure unless you check yourself. Though there are privacy laws to consider, most colleges and universities offer confirmation of attendance and graduation when you ask for information on a specific student. As a hiring manager conducting work background checks, it is important to verify an applicant’s education history to ensure that the candidate is qualified.

For hiring managers and human resource professionals in tech companies, it is important to know about work background checks. Look into an applicant’s employment history to ensure they have the skills to perform the job. Additionally, conduct a criminal and civil background check to limit your liability as well as hire upstanding individuals. Follow up with references provided by the candidate to get an understanding of their work ethic and character. Furthermore, verify the education history of an applicant to ensure that are knowledgeable in the field of technology. Follow this guide as you move through the work background checks process for your tech company.