So why is screening for employment important?
Hiring employees is one of the most important things a business can do.
The right employees can help a business grow and succeed, while the wrong can drag a business down. Which is why it’s crucial to take the time to screen applicants carefully.
Also, did you know that according to HR TRUcheck, 53% of all job applications contain inaccurate information? This is why employee screening becomes so important.
So if you’re unsure what screening means and why it’s important, don’t worry – you’re not alone.
Read on to learn more about screening for employment and the importance of background checks.
What is Screening?
Screening is the process of reviewing an applicant’s qualifications in order to determine whether or not they are suited for a particular position.
This can include everything from reviewing their resume and cover letter to conducting interviews and administering tests.
In many cases, businesses will also run background checks as part of the screening process.
Background checks are a way to verify an applicant’s qualifications and to make sure that they haven’t been involved in any illegal or unethical activities in the past.
Also Read: What Is A Felony Charges Background Check?
Why is Screening Important?
No matter what position you are hiring for, the screening process is a crucial step that you cannot miss.
Here are reasons why screening is important:
1. Better Hiring Decisions
Screening is important because it helps businesses to make better hiring decisions.
By taking the time to screen applicants, businesses can ensure that they are hiring the best possible candidates for the job.
This can save you plenty of time, resources, and money in the long run and help avoid potential legal problems.
2. Protects Business From Liability
Background checks are especially important because they can help to protect businesses from liability.
For example, if an employee is convicted of a crime, the business could be held liable if it is found that they knew about the employee’s criminal history and hired them anyway.
In addition, background checks can help businesses avoid hiring employees who may pose a safety risk.
For example, if a certain employee has a violent history, the business may want to think twice about hiring them.
3. Eliminates Unsuitable Candidates
Whenever you post a job, chances are that you will receive too many applications to review.
More often than not, more than 90% of these applicants are unsuitable for the company, and the screening process helps eliminate them. This saves a lot of time and effort for the hiring party.
4. Protects Reputation
During the screening process, we suggest you run background checks. They help in knowing the background of a person.
Do they have a criminal background? What did their previous employment history look like, etc.?
Hiring someone with a criminal background or improper conduct in the previous organization can stain your company’s reputation.
5. Preventing Fraud
Without a proper screening procedure, you cannot determine if a person is a fraud or not.
You do not want to hire a fraud or some who indulges in data theft to sell it to other companies.
Also, people often lie about their qualifications, work experience, etc., and hiring an underskilled employee for a skilled job can not only cost you money but can also cause legal troubles for you.
How to Screen Applicants?
There are many different ways in which businesses can screen applicants.
The most important thing is to be thorough and take the time to review all available information on an applicant.
One way to do this is to ask for references from previous employers. This can help you to get a better idea of an applicant’s work history and qualifications.
Another way to screen applicants is to conduct interviews. This can be done in person, over the phone, or even via video chat.
During an interview, you’ll want to ask questions that will help you get to know the applicant better and assess their qualifications.
You may also want to administer tests, such as skills tests or personality tests. This can help you to get a better idea of an applicant’s strengths and weaknesses.
Finally, don’t forget about online background checks. These days, it’s easier than ever to run a background check on an applicant.
There are many different websites that offer this service, and most of them are very affordable.
Online background checks can help you verify an applicant’s qualifications and ensure they haven’t been involved in any illegal or unethical activities in the past.
Also Read: What Does A Background Check Show?
What Are The Different Types Of Applicant Screening Tests?
The pre-employment screening process may vary from company to company, job type, sector, etc.
However, employee screening can be broken down into three phases. Let us have a look at them one by one:
1. Pre-interview Screening
This is the first interaction that an applicant has with a company. This step includes screening resume, phone or video interviews, aptitude, personality test, etc.
Let us go through these pre-interview screening methods one by one:
Resume or Application Screening
This is the first step in any hiring process. The first thing that you will do is screen the application or resume of candidates.
You want to look for relevant work experience, additional skills, and any other thing that may be relevant to your company.
Screening the applications carefully can help you avoid wasting time later and to eliminate unfit candidates.
Phone/Video Interview
Once you have shortlisted resumes, the next step is to take a phone or video interview.
This step gives you the opportunity to know the candidate better and to ask questions to understand if they will be a fit for your company.
Aptitude Test
An aptitude test allows you to identify whether the candidate has the ability to fulfill the demand of the position. Take an aptitude test before you promise a second interview.
The aptitude test would help you analyze wether they are fit enough to be moved further to the second round of interviews.
2. Interview Screening
Once the candidates are done with the initial screening, now it’s time for you to move them to the official interview.
Official Interview
After narrowing down the top-suited candidates, it is time for you to send them for an official interview.
This can be taken by someone in the top managerial position, an HR manager, or any other relevant person in your company.
An official interview allows you to probe relevant questions and understand if the candidate has it in him/her to fulfill the role effectively.
3. Post-Interview Screening Process
You cannot possibly overlook this last step in hiring an employee.
This step allows you to cross-check with references and do a background check to assess whether the candidate is what he claims to be.
Reference Check
By contacting the candidate’s references, you can cross-check the information provided by them. References are generally ex-co-workers and employers of the candidate.
Education Verification
Contact the school or college that your candidate went to cross-check their grades. You might skip this step if grades are not crucial to the kind of position you are hiring for.
Military services records
If your candidate claims to have a military background, then cross-check that.
License
Certain industries, like medical, transportation, accounting, etc., require one to have a license.
So make sure you check that the candidate has a valid license related to the field of work.
4. Background Checks
Employee background checks can’t be missed in the hiring process. Background checks can help you to protect your company against fraud or criminals.
Here’s what an employee background check includes:
- Criminal history: This reveals any criminal activity or record held under the person’s name. Scrutinize the report carefully as this will help you in creating trouble at the workplace.
- Credit report: If you are hiring for a position that requires one to handle and manage money, then this report can be really useful in that. A credit report reveals red flags about money management.
- Drug test: You wouldn’t like someone to ruin the atmosphere of your office by indulging in drugs and other illegal activity. A drug test in a background check helps you in avoiding such issues.
- Driving records: If you are hiring someone for a driver’s job or for a role that involves driving a company’s vehicle, then scanning the driving record of the candidate is essential. This helps you in avoiding legal and insurance troubles.
- Sex offender registries: This record helps you determine whether the candidate is a sex offender or not. It is important to make your office a safe place for your employees, and so this report can help you immensely.
Employment Screening Tips
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re looking for your first employee or your hundredth, it’s important to take the time to screen applicants carefully.
By taking the time to review an applicant’s qualifications and conduct a background check, you can help to ensure that you’re making the best possible hiring decision.
People Also Ask For
Is it important to follow all the steps in the hiring process?
The steps involved in the hiring process vary from company to company and for the position they are hiring for.
You can choose to follow all the steps or narrow it down as per your requirement.
Is employee background check important?
Yes, an employee background check is very important as it helps you determine if the candidate has any red flags in their report that may not be good for your company.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
