Doing Employee Background checks - what is the best way to do this?

[tankman1989]

I'm starting up a small side business non-computer related because I have a good bit of down time with what I'm doing now. I'm basically going to be a scheduler for my employees and they will be going on site to work. I want to make sure that I am sending trustworthy employees out to my contract work so I will be doing background checks on the people. Do any of you do checks like this and do you have any suggestions?

[callthatgirl]

Rule #1, never 100% trust anyone
Rule #2, someone can come clean on a background check, but you can't background check someone's mental stability or brain.

We use a company in Minneapolis, costs $80 a person. www.verifiedcredentials.com

Be prepared to find out things about current or future employees that might not want you to hire them. This is why you pay for background checks. It showcases what crimes they have committed and it's hard to judge a person by the cover, but I'm just saying....eye opener stuff. But they might make a great employee, so you can never tell.

[Scales]

I would not solely base your hiring decision making based on background checks. Life can be hard, sometimes people make mistakes which will haunt them for many years. Sometimes a person on their second chance has more character, more drive, etc... And would make a great employee. I would rather look at someone's Facebook page and their automobile and have lunch with them. Resumes to me are a joke. They are all fluff.

[3ft]

I've utilized verifiedcredentials.com before with excellent results, and, in fact, the state of Kentucky utilized them at one time to background check all their new Emergency Medical Technicians (which I am one, and that's how I knew to try them with my biz). Reasonably timely results, and very detailed.

That being said - you don't know whatcha got, until you got it!

[ComputerRepairTech]

Originally Posted by Scales

I would not solely base your hiring decision making based on background checks. Life can be hard, sometimes people make mistakes which will haunt them for many years. Sometimes a person on their second chance has more character, more drive, etc... And would make a great employee. I would rather look at someone's Facebook page and their automobile and have lunch with them. Resumes to me are a joke. They are all fluff.

Facebook page good idea.

What about the automobile? thats an interesting thought. Mine has a protective layer of dust and grime on it (...protective layer thats my excuse and im sticking to it) and its kind of messy inside but I don't really care about the vehicle....I guess that would send a negative message. Though it is a 2003 lancer and I barely have 30,000 miles in it so I guess that would say I spend entirely too much time on the computer

[angry_geek]

Off topic, but, wow! An '03 with only 30k miles! I got rid of my trusty '01 Explorer in January with 250k miles. I bought a Subaru right before I sold the truck, and I already have 15k on it. You need to drive more. lol