Archive for the ‘Employment’ Category

An Employment Background Check is More Than a Google Search

Thursday, December 2nd, 2010

Student, Zachary Garcia, in Florida, recently conducted a Google background check on himself and discovered some horrifying facts that illustrate some important points. When he entered his name into Google, he found that his name and photograph were connected to a felony murder that took place in September.

What this illustrates is that you cannot rely on just doing a Google search for pre-employment background checks or even if you as a consumer are just looking for someone’s information. You might find an address and phone number for the name you are looking for, but who’s to say that it’s the correct name?

In connection with this I wrote an article some time ago about how 70% of employers are conducting pre-employment checks social media. The problem I see with this is that you might end up passing over a qualified candidate because of something you found on Facebook. There is a reason employment background check services exist, not the least of which is that they can also help you stay legally compliant with employment EEO regulations.

Officers with the Polk County (FL) Sheriff’s Office said Zachary Garcia was charged with murder in a news release, but the real murder suspect was named Zachery (spelled with an ‘e’) Garcia. The story was reported by several media outlets that also broadcast a driver’s license photo of the wrong Garcia (Zachary, with an ‘a’) in connection with the alleged murder, ABC News reports.

In another strange twist, a spokesman with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the two men with very similar names also happened to share the same day of birth, although they were born one year apart.

ABC News also reported that the Polk County sheriff sent the student a formal letter apologizing for the error and vowed to correct the misinformation. The sheriff also said that while the news release named the wrong Garcia, official booking documents never contained the same error.

Zachary Garcia, a freshman, said he hopes the search engine screw-up does not affect his future since employers may background check his name online and may not hire him because of the mix-up. He said he is speaking out about what happened to him because he wants others to know that it could happen to them: “The Internet is not always right.”

This story is proof positive why employers cannot rely only on cheap, quick, and convenient Internet searches using Google or other search engines in place of “real” background checks from companies like BackgroundChecks.com, which is accredited by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS®). BackgroundChecks.com uses trained background check specialists that research criminal and civil court records, driving records, credit checks, social security number traces, employment references, educational verifications, and more.

Technorati Tags: , , ,

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Background Check, Employment | 1 Comment »

Personal Background Check Before Employment When Criminal Records Are a Problem

Thursday, November 18th, 2010

How to Conduct a Personal Employment Background Check.

A job seeker recently wrote to me and presented a rather unique problem that required a little thought, and I thought that more people might have need of the advice I gave him.

His original question was: “Over 20 years ago I was arrested on a warrant from ***** County IL but never went to court. I met with the State’s Attorney and thought the matter was dismissed. I recently found out that I have an arrest record and it is affecting a job that I am attempting to secure. They want me to prove that I don’t have a conviction. How can I find out what the outcome of this situation was since all of the records in Chicago were destroyed? I really need a place to start.”

This is of course a different kind of problem, but there are actually quite a few places where one can proceed with obtaining records. The first place I would start of course is the county where your transgression took place. If a background check dredges up records that were supposedly destroyed, they have obviously not been disposed of. Had they been truly destroyed, then they wouldn’t be showing up and biting you in the wrong places every time you try to get a job.

If you can’t go to the county courthouse yourself and have a little money to spare, I would recommend an on-site county records search either by a detective agency or an online background check provider. Currently, the only online service I recommend for this is eFindOutTheTruth. While USSearch and Intelius offer such a service, they don’t compete on this particular product.

Another thing you can try is a nationwide criminal records search. This is once again a reference check, and won’t necessarily turn anything up. I say this because there are a number of closed-records states, which means they don’t allow automated indexing of their criminal records. So if you do get a criminal records search, make it a nationwide search as there might be something bogus on your records in a different state from where you reside. As an aside note, do not take any special offers from any background check service. All they do is sign you up to a monthly subscription.

If you are willing to spend the money to check if there are criminal records on your records fairly quickly and hassle free, use the ideas above. You can also use the resources offered by the law enforcement in the state where you live, and even the FBI. These types of searches can take up to 8 weeks, but are the real McCoy as far as your record is concerned.

You can also visit the state criminal justice information authority website for the state you live in. Their websites will usually have everything you need to know. Usually you’ll find information on how to obtain your records and how to get records expunged as well. They should also be able to answer any questions you have about submitting proof of dismissal, acquittal, or whatever else you may need for employment purposes. To get there, just proceed to Google and type the name of your state followed by “criminal records”. For example, if I lived in Texas, I would go to Google and type “texas criminal records”. The url will often include state.(two letter state acronym).us if it’s an official state law enforcement website. WHATEVER you do, do NOT go for the free records offers. I was looking around yesterday in preparation for this article and found myself clicking on such a link being offered by a typical scam site. I was very surprised at, because I have been in this business for over 2 years, and thought I was past all that.

The next step, if nothing turns up, is to check your FBI records. There is a chance you have a criminal records on file with the FBI. This wasn’t so common years ago, but these days many state law enforcement agencies report felonies to the FBI, as well as putting them on record in the home state. When I say FBI, I’m referring to the NICS. Since it was only started in 1998, there is the possibility that older criminal records might not be included. However, you should be aware that the FBI maintains a number of records databases as well. You can visit the link below at the FBI’s website for instructions on obtaining your own record: www.fbi.gov.

Hopefully these steps help you with clearing up your own records in the event there is some discrepancy that can’t be pinned down. Or, if you just need to check on your personal history, this is also a good way to ensure you don’t have anything negative on your record. Another step you can take is to check and monitor your credit report and score. Millions of Americans have been turning to credit monitoring in this age of massive identity theft to help avoid a personal catastrophe.

Get started with some very good background check services at the home page.
If you would like to check your credit score or obtain credit monitoring services proceed to EquiFax and get started with a credit report.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Background Check, Employment, Personal Background Check | 2 Comments »

How to Beat The Google Employment Background Check

Friday, November 5th, 2010

Press Release from I-Newswire. BestBackgroundCheck.org has no affiliations with this company and does not endorse the product. This is being posted solely for informational purposes.

On Tuesday it was announced to job seekers that a New website www.RemoveSlander.com provides strategies for passing a Google Background Check

Google has become more than just a search engine, it is now an employment verification service. Unlike regulated 3rd party verification services, there are no rules applying to Google when it comes to collecting and reporting information about job applicants.

In order to obtain quality employees and prevent future legal problems, more and more companies are obtaining background checks, credit reports and criminal history reports on job applicants. These are great tools to learn more about potential employees, but they can also lead to a different type of legal problem if not conducted properly.

Many businesses simply don’t have the resources to run background checks on all of their applicants. So, these companies are now turning to powerful search engines like Google for help screening their applicants.

If a company has the resources to conduct its own background checks, then they will have to comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The FCRA requires that a potential employer disclose in writing to applicants that they will be conducting a background check and obtain their written consent for the check.

The act is intended to insure that applicants are aware that background checks are being run on them and that the information in those checks may be used in the hiring decision. Restrictions and obligations are placed on the employer as to the type of information obtained and the use of that information in deciding not to hire an applicant. However any information provided by a search engine is exempt from the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Remove Slander.com will teach job seekers how to remove negative content off the 1st page of Google out of view from potential employers.

The strategy section of Remove Slander.com covers the following topics:

  • Round 1 – How to Remove Cyber Bully Attacks from the first page of Google
  • Round 2 – How to remove a negative article
  • Round 3 – How to remove a negative blog or forum
  • Round 4 – How to remove a negative complaint site
  • Round 5 – How to defeat an aggressive attacker
  • Round 6 – How to Protect your business from online slander
  • Round 7 – How to remove negative links from court cases and convictions
  • Round 8 – How to bounce back from negative publicity
  • Round 9 – How to vanity search before your next job interview
  • Round 10 – How to create positive publicity

For more information on how to remove negative links off the first page of Google please visit www.RemoveSlander.com.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Background Check, Employment | 2 Comments »

Should Credit Checks be Illegal for Employment Background Checks?

Thursday, October 21st, 2010

credit-checks-cause-discrimination-during-during-the-employment-background-check-processYesterday, the 20th of October, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission convened to hear testimony over the practice of checking job applicants credit history reports by employers.

The past few months has seen increased negative sentiment from legislators and job seekers. They argue that checking a job applicants credit history during the employment background check procedure is unfair. Especially in tough economic times such as during the current recession, when many unemployed individuals cannot pay their bills which results in a credit score that suffers as well.

To date, there are four states that have passed legislation to limit the practice of checking credit histories. 20 other states and Congress have similar laws in the pipeline. The EEOC has stated that checking credit histories may be illegal if minority groups are singled out.

“Numerous studies have documented how, as a group, African Americans and Latinos have lower credit scores than whites,” noted Chi Chi Wu of the National Consumer Law Center, who was quoted by MarketWatch.com. “If credit scores are supposed to be an accurate translation of a consumer’s credit report and creditworthiness, that means these groups will fare worse when credit history is considered in employment.”

However, a report from the Society for Human Resource Management concluded that the practice is actually not widespread and is not routinely used to screen applicants. 13 percent of employers said that they include credit checks as part of the screening process for all applicants. A much higher 47 percent stated that they include credit checks for some applicants. A large 40% of employers reported they do not include a credit check at all in the background check process.

“SHRM research shows that the top reasons why organizations conduct credit background checks are to limit theft and embezzlement in the workplace, reduce liability for negligent hiring, assess the overall trustworthiness of the job candidate, and comply with applicable state laws requiring a background check for particular reasons,” according to SHRM testimony on Wednesday, which was quoted by MarketWatch.com.

“They provide a variety of information that cannot otherwise be confirmed by an employer,” added Pamela Devata, a partner with Seyfarth Shaw LLP who represents businesses on employment issues and was quoted by Portfolio.com. “They are viewed as a valid indicator of a person’s judgment and potential risk to the company.”

However, as with every such issue there are two sides to every story. The Wall Street Journal reported that Fannie Jeffries, 49, strongly suspects that here bad credit is severely diminishing her employment opportunities. Her whopping $140,000 in debt may be the cause for not being hired for government employment, clerical work, or other jobs she has applied for.

Technorati Tags: , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Background Check, Employment | 1 Comment »

Background Check Procedure for Hiring In Home Caregivers for the Baby Boomer Generation

Sunday, October 10th, 2010

baby-boomers-and-the-need-for-caretaker-criminal-background-checksAs everyone knows, the baby boomer generation is not getting any younger and will soon be the largest demographic in the United States. The need for healthcare professionals and in-home caregivers is booming and is one reason job demands in the U.S. have increased. Many people are getting into the field and I know a few myself.

One of the industries booming right alongside healthcare is background checks. Along with that you have more and more individual’s intent on harming or scamming as many people as they can. Along with that, you also have background check scams popping up faster than anyone can keep up.

Today, I will cover some steps to take when hiring someone to work as an in-home caretaker. This is a very serious step and requires the necessary measures be taken to ensure the smoothest possible hiring and employment process. Just think that this worker will have access to your home and family when you are not present. Below are steps to take during the vetting and hiring process:

  • Consult your doctor of course as they are a good place to start. Also ask for referrals from other caregivers you know — relatives, friends and coworkers.
  • Make sure you are clear about pay and expectations with candidates. However, do not be a cheapskate. I have heard countless complaints from the caretakers I know that the work simply doesn’t pay enough for the commitment and effort required,
  • Check if the person is an independent contractor or working through an agency. Once you know, go to the IRS website and make sure you have the proper tax forms and instructions.
  • Make a list of questions and concerns beforehand so you aren’t left stuttering during the interview. Require a résumé, job history, photo ID and at least two references.
  • Of course…ask about previous home care experience. Do they have special training, such as working with clients who have dementia? You should be able to find out pretty quickly whether they are compassionate or simply looking for work.
  • Include your parent in the interview or let them meet the people you’re considering hiring. If your parent doesn’t like the person, reconsider. There’s no sense in creating problems, the process is going to be difficult enough as is.
  • Why did they leave their former job? Have they ever been in trouble with the law? A criminal background check of felonies and serious misdemeanors can usually be obtained in each state. Do NOT order a nationwide criminal background check unless you have access to employment background check services, or you have money to splurge. The many consumer services online offer nationwide criminal searches, but are not the right tool for the job, because of inaccuracies and the lack of records in some states. However, they can help you acquire complete records on the state level.

I have been working on procedures for acquiring the most complete records possible in each state and you can start with that at the online background check tips page. Each state has a page and I lay out how to access criminal and civil records using either the state records system or an online background check. Each state varies and one method might be easier than another depending on the state you are in.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Employment, Health Care | 1 Comment »

« Older Entries