Blog, Resources
It is commonly thought that a fingerprint background check is an all-encompassing background screening. No two fingerprints are alike, so the background check would be accurate, right? However, the criminal records associated with the fingerprint are sometimes incomplete. We will go into detail explaining what a fingerprint background check is, the industries that use it, and its accuracy.
What is a fingerprint background check?
Fingerprints used to be stamped onto a paper card and sent to an expert who would compare the fingerprint to the others in the database. Now, fingerprints are captured digitally from a scanner. This process is cleaner and faster than what was previously done. Fingerprints are stored in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) database.
What does it show?
A person’s fingerprint can identify a lot of information about a person. A fingerprint can pinpoint a person’s birth date, name, address and employment status. It can also identify a person’s criminal record, which includes criminal arrests, charges, and dispositions of cases. Over 70 million criminal backgrounds along with fingerprints are stored in the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).
Do companies still use fingerprint background checks?
In short, yes. Many industries are mandated to include fingerprinting in their pre-employment background screening. Some of these industries that require fingerprinting are education, health care, and child care. Millions of Americans each year apply for these positions and are fingerprinted.
How accurate is a fingerprint background check?
No two fingerprints are the same, which is why fingerprinting can be accurate. A fingerprint can’t be faked. However, the record that goes along with the fingerprint isn’t always complete.
In the case of fingerprint background checks, some records, such as misdemeanor drug offenses, public intoxication and disorderly conduct, can be missed simply because the crime is a ticketed offense in that area and doesn’t require being fingerprinted in the first place.
The associated information is oftentimes inaccurate or incomplete. For case dispositions, many records that are submitted to the FBI do not include the court’s final ruling. Sadly, there is no universal reporting methodology and local regulations vary, which is a big part of the problem. It is up to the states and local agencies to decide what is reported to the FBI database.
What is a good solution?
The best solution is not to depend solely on one source expecting to return a 100 percent accurate and completed criminal background report. Combined reports are the best options to get a thorough background check.
That is why at SELECTiON.COM® we always recommend a thorough approach to your pre-employment discovery and background check procedure.
We bundle reporting based specifically upon the needs of our clients, combining granular criminal reporting from the actual counties of residency and the most complete national criminal database in the industry.
Contact us today to see how SELECTiON.COM® can take your employment background check process to the next level.
NOTE: The contents of this article are not legal advice for your particular situation. You should neither act nor rely upon anything stated in this article without first consulting your own legal counsel.
Blog
Even in a digital world, resumes are still relied upon heavily in the hiring process. Especially in a world of “first impressions”, information provided on the resume is often the difference between an applicant being hired or rejected.
But, how do you know the information is truthful?
In a recent CareerBuilder survey of more than 2,500 hiring managers, 56% have caught job candidates lying on their resumes.
You don’t have to be a math scholar to know that MORE THAN HALF of all job applicants have misrepresented themselves on their application!
If you would have seen this glaring statistic before your most recent hire, would you still have accepted the resume without question, or would you have done more due diligence before making the offer?
Studies show that every time a business replaces a salaried employee, it costs 6 to 9 months’ salary on average.
Even on the conservative end of the pay scale, such as a new hire earning $400 per week for six months, that can cost your company nearly $10,000! 
You can greatly reduce that risk through proper verification and background check services BEFORE making an offer of employment, and best of all it will cost a great deal less than a HALF DAY worth of salary!
At SELECTiON.COM®, we usually recommend three different types of pre-employment verification reports: prior employment, education and character reference. These three reports will help you verify the accuracy of the information listed on a resume.
Most, if not all resumes list an applicant’s education history. For upper-level and management positions, education can be an important factor in the hiring decision. Some advanced positions, such has nursing or teaching, may require specific education requirements.
A SELECTiON.COM® education verification documents an applicant’s educational start dates, end dates, major, fields of study and degrees earned. Other stated credentials may also be validated through the institution when contacted.
Job experience is also a very important factor to finding the perfect candidate.
However, also per CareerBuilder “A quarter [of hiring managers] have seen people who claim to be employed by companies they never really worked for.”
Employment verifications are available so that you can not only ensure that an applicant has the experience necessary for the position, but the integrity and truthfulness to only represent accurate information on their resume.
In most cases, SELECTiON.COM® will work directly with previous employers to verify an applicant’s positions held, length of employment, salary and other relevant information about the applicant.
Lastly, a character reference will provide information about an applicant that the individual more than likely would never include on their resume.
Character references gather personal information concerning the reputation, conduct, and integrity of the applicant.
When you pair these three checks and verify the information on the resume, you greatly reduce the possibility of hiring an applicant with false information.
It’s your job to find the most qualified candidate to fill an opening. It is ours to verify your selection.
That’s why at SELECTiON.COM® our motto is “Your SELECTiON™, Verified!”
SOURCE: CareerBuilder Survey: http://time.com/money/3995981/how-many-people-lie-resumes/
Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) https://online.alvernia.edu/cost-employee-turnover/
Blog
As part of your hiring process, do you currently run ONLY a national criminal database search on your applicants?
If so, you’re making a mistake.
A criminal database search, while certainly very helpful, should only be used as a supplement to further research, which typically includes county criminal, federal, state, etc.
The most common misconception surrounding national database searches is that the results are from all 50 states and the territories, thus comprising every possible criminal record in the nation on that applicant.
This is simply not true.
All such databases are just compiled records from specific sources that allow their data to be accessed and aggregated.
In large part that is because many repositories haven’t made the transition to digital technologies and still use paper filing systems, or even microfiche.
For that reason alone, no aggregated national criminal database can draw from every source in the United States.
The best criminal background check to use starts with a Social Security Number Trace to establish a residency history and from there a county criminal history report is compiled from data acquired directly from the county, or counties, of record. 
All jurisdiction starts at the county level. This means it provides the most up to date and accurate information possible.
Our researchers are sent to county courthouses in every county in the United States to pull actual files and records relating to the applicant. It is the basis for building a solid criminal history.
From there, a national criminal database search is the perfect complement, providing a “snapshot” and helping to fill in the gaps on a national scale.
Results returned may even show the need to add a county criminal search based upon a returned record from a part of the country that did not show in their permanent residency history to begin with.
We certainly are not advocating against the use of a national criminal database, but rather we caution against relying on one as a standalone “silver bullet” solution.
At SELECTiON.COM®, we are continuously adding sources, which currently number more than 1800, to our national Search America® criminal database.
Additionally, we work with our clients to seek out a specific database that may help in their screening process and, where accessible, we will add that into their customized report.
SELECTiON.COM® has more than 25 pre-employment and background check reports on our à la carte menu, from which we can build a combined report that’s just right for your hiring needs!
Blog
Background checks are an essential part of any hiring process. And while most companies think that criminal history along with education and employment verifications are enough— there is another way to find out more about a potential employee.
Character references can be supplemental and used to verify more information about previous work experience. 
SAMPLE QUESTIONS:
- If provided the opportunity would you hire him/her again? Why or why not?
- What can you tell me about his/her personality?
- What can you tell me about his/her work ethic?
- How reliable is he/she?
- What can you tell me about his/her ability to get along with his/her peers and supervisors?
Character references allow you to get more in-depth information about a candidate. Just verifying that a candidate worked at a certain company in the past isn’t always enough. References give you more information than basic dates of employment.
Character references allow you to receive more information such as time and attendance by talking with direct supervisors. Since the questions are more in-depth, we can get a better sense of work ethic and personality.
For example, if you are hiring for a position that requires very strict attendance policies, you need to know if the candidate has had attendance issues in the past.
Character references give insight into a candidate’s personality. While most questions are very standard, talking to a direct supervisor who knew the candidate personally gives you more accurate information.
SELECTiON.COM® goes above and beyond standard background checks. Our education and employment verification packages can be customized to fit your every need.
We want our clients to KNOW they are getting the most information about a potential candidate as possible.
By: Jordan Henges – SELECTiON.COM® Social Media Manager
Blog
How do you really know who you’re hiring? Does the interview and application allow enough face-to-face time for you to really get a good read on an applicant? Do you have enough knowledge about the applicant to make a great hiring decision?
In today’s workplace, background screening programs are a common part of the hiring process. While some companies only run criminal background checks, there is a better solution, verification and reference checks.
SELECTiON.COM® provides four different types of verifications/ checks. 
First, is the employment verification report which provides positions held, length of employment, salary, motivation, work habits, and other information about the applicant’s work performance.
Second, is the reference check/ character reference. A reference check gives you more personal insight into the applicant. Things such as reputation, conduct and integrity of the applicant.
Both the employment verification and reference check allow you to get to know the applicant on a more personal level. These checks provide information that allow you to make a much more educated and insightful decision.
The last two verification checks are to make sure that their resume and credentials are accurate.
The education verification documents an applicant’s start and end dates, major fields of study and degrees earned. The last is the professional license verification which includes license type, issuing authority and dates of validity.
These four additional verifications/ checks should be implemented into your background screening program.
Adding these provides insight into the behavior of the applicant along with other aspects of their work habits that you might not have discovered through a basic interview. So, next time you hire, try running these additional checks, so you really know the individual you are hiring.
