Hiring is so much easier when you do background checks on candidates. If you hire a background check company to investigate a potential hire’s past, you’ll receive a report with details on their educational background, employment history, skill set, and more. However, background checks aren’t supposed to be “make it or break it” documents. You need to know what you’re looking at and what you should be looking for in a report. To make things simpler, here are four red flags to look out for during a background check. When you see one of these, think a bit more about whether you want the candidate working for you.
Inconsistent Employment History
Nowadays, few people in the workforce have a consistent employment history. Layoffs are simply a fact of life, so a gap of a few months or more in a person’s work history doesn’t mean evidence of anything negative. Still, gaps can be a red flag. If employment dates fail to match up or you see large gaps between gigs in a person’s history, they’re worth inquiring about. In fact, such a red flag can open an interesting line of questioning about the candidate, where they can share information about how they used that time to acquire new education and skills, travel, or the like. If they can’t account for that time, however, they might be trying to hide something.
Criminal Record
Digging up a criminal record might seem like a deal-breaker, but there are too many myths about hiring people with criminal records. In truth, some crimes preclude a person from being hired or considered for a job. Individuals on a sex offender list, for example, shouldn’t work in places where they can encounter potential victims. Likewise, someone involved in fraud, identity theft, or similar crimes might not be trustworthy for a job involving the handling of personal and financial records. Consider the severity of the crime, whether the candidate poses a real threat to security and safety, and whether they’ve made efforts in paying for their crimes. In truth, ex-criminals are just looking for a second chance.
Poor Credit History
If the role you’re hiring for involves handling money, an individual with a poor credit history might give you pause, especially if they also have a criminal record. Then again, some folks experience low credit scores through no fault of their own. If they otherwise display a good aptitude for the position, seek out more information. However, between a poor credit history, a string of lost jobs, and other red flags, it could indicate a lack of reliability and financial acumen.
Negative References
Most people provide references from individuals who like them and appreciate their hard work. Balance these with testimonies from former employers. If they lean negative, that’s a major red flag. Ask about punctuality, ethics, reliability, conflicts, and more. One unhappy employer could just be a personality conflict. Consistent thumbs down from every employer, however, does not bode well for the potential hire.
Those are just four red flags to look out for during a background check. Remember to be firm but fair when assessing background checks, and give otherwise impressive candidates with only a red flag or two a chance to defend themselves.
