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7 Of The Best Employment Background Check Services for Online Recruitment

What are employment background checks?

Employment background checks are comprehensive reviews conducted by employers to verify a candidate’s credentials, social media, criminal history, credit history, and other relevant information.

These checks are essential to ensure that the potential employee is truthful about their qualifications, and experience, and has no hidden issues that could affect their job performance or the company’s reputation such as the use of hate speech, drug usage, or a criminal background.

What are pre-employment screening checks?

Pre-employment screening checks are a subset of employment background checks. They are conducted before hiring a candidate to ensure that they meet the specific requirements of the job.

These checks can again include verifying educational qualifications, previous employment history, drug usage, and checking for any criminal records.

Why do companies use background screening services?

Companies use background check services to:

  • Ensure the safety and security of their employees and workplace.
  • Verify the accuracy of a candidate’s resume and application.
  • Reduce the risk of negligent hiring lawsuits/claims.
  • Ensure compliance with industry regulations and standards.
  • Build trust and confidence in their hiring decisions.

Types of Background Checks

While background checks is a broad term, they usually include at least one or more of the following:

  • Criminal Background Checks: Review of any criminal history.
  • Credit Checks: Assessment of credit history, often used for positions dealing with finances.
  • Education and Employment Verification: Ensuring the candidate’s educational and work history is accurate.
  • Reference Checks: Speaking to previous employers or colleagues to assess the candidate’s suitability.
  • Social Media & Online Checks: Review a candidate’s online presence for any potential red flags.

How pre-employment background checks are used in online recruitment

In the digital age, online recruitment has become the norm. Pre-employment background checks in online recruitment involve using digital platforms and tools to verify a candidate’s information.

These checks can be conducted swiftly, allowing employers to screen multiple candidates simultaneously. Online platforms also offer a centralised system for storing and accessing background check reports, making the hiring process more streamlined and efficient.

7 best background check services for employers in 2023

So who are the biggest and best names in the pre-employment screening or pre-employment background check service industry? Here are our top picks in 2023:

  1. Yoono

Yoono is an automated intelligence service designed to assist organisations in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the individuals and companies they engage with. The platform emphasises the importance of making informed decisions when hiring or collaborating, highlighting the potential risks and costs associated with poor choices.

Yoono offers tools that can swiftly gather pertinent information, facilitating more informed decision-making. One of its standout features is its ability to generate reputation reports in mere minutes, offering real-time insights into individuals or organisations.

These reports are comprehensive, covering data from browsers, the web, and social networks, and are delivered directly to users’ inboxes. Yoono also emphasises its commitment to unbiased searches, ensuring that the data provided is free from any preconceived notions or biases. Additionally, the platform raises questions about the thoroughness, consistency, and GDPR compliance of manual searches, suggesting that its automated system offers a more reliable and efficient alternative.

Overall, Yoono presents itself as a robust tool for businesses seeking to streamline their checking processes and ensure they are making well-informed decisions about their hires and collaborations. The tool is very affordable and offers a range of discounted offers based on the level of package you select.

  1. GoodHire

GoodHire offers employment background check services tailored to meet the needs of companies. A key feature that Goodhire offers is its flexibility in designing a screening program. Whether businesses want a custom solution or prefer to select from pre-bundled packages, GoodHire provides options. The company emphasises its compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), ensuring that its checks are both thorough and legal. Additionally, GoodHire boasts a US-based support team that is FCRA-certified. This team is readily available to address any queries or concerns from both employers and potential employees.

They also keep all parties informed about the status of the background check. On the positive side, the company’s commitment to compliance and its robust support system make it a reliable choice. However, the website doesn’t provide detailed information about pricing or the full range of their services, which might be a drawback for some potential users.

  1. AccurateNow

AccurateNow offers background check services tailored for small to mid-sized businesses. The platform is designed with affordability, speed, and compliance in mind. Businesses can benefit from its pay-as-you-go packages, ensuring they only pay for the checks they require without any monthly fees or minimums. The sign-up process is swift, and the platform promises quick turnaround times for background checks. One of the standout features of AccurateNow is its emphasis on compliance, ensuring that all background checks align with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), as well as state and local regulations.

Their service offerings range from SSN Trace & Address History, 7-Year Criminal History, National Criminal Checks, and even Global Watch checks to comply with the USA Patriot Act. They also offer additional services like Education Verification, Employment Verification, and Motor Vehicle Reports. Positive testimonials on the site underscore its reliability and efficiency. However, while the platform provides a comprehensive suite of services, potential users might find the one-time setup fee and potential third-party verification fees as considerations. It also seems to be very US focused which may distract users based in other locations throughout the world.

  1. eKnowID

eKnowID specialises in providing background checks for growing businesses, aiming to assist small businesses in making informed hiring decisions. The company’s offerings range from instant online criminal checks to more in-depth investigative solutions. A distinctive feature of eKnowID is its “high tech, high touch” formula, which combines advanced technology with a US-based team of experienced private investigators. This blend ensures comprehensive and updated information is provided to businesses. eKnowID emphasises affordability, with no setup fees and the availability of bulk discounts for businesses planning multiple hires.

The process is streamlined: Businesses invite the applicant via email, review the report once completed, and then make their hiring decision. eKnowID offers various packages tailored to different business needs, from basic criminal record checks to more comprehensive checks that include education and employment verifications. While the platform offers a range of services, the website could benefit from more detailed explanations of each package’s offerings. Overall, eKnowID presents itself as a reliable and user-friendly solution for businesses seeking thorough background checks.

  1. BeenVerified

BeenVerified is a comprehensive background check service that offers a suite of search tools, including people search, reverse phone lookup, email lookup, address lookup, username search, unclaimed money search, and vehicle lookup. The platform has a commitment to user privacy and security, ensuring that users can trust the information they access. BeenVerified prides itself on providing users with access to billions of records from leading sources and has been in the industry for over 10 years.

The platform’s offerings are diverse, allowing users to reconnect with loved ones, monitor their public records, improve customer data, and even make informed decisions about used vehicles and online sellers. Testimonials on the site highlight the platform’s effectiveness in various scenarios, from finding long-lost friends to verifying information about potential dates.

  1. Spokeo

Spokeo is a multifaceted search tool that provides users with access to a vast array of public records, including contact information, personal details, location history, wealth data, family and associates, criminal records, and social media accounts. The platform boasts billions of records, covering areas such as property, consumer, historical, court, and business records, and over 120 social networks. Spokeo’s primary objective is to help users confidentially look up information about people they know, such as friends, family, acquaintances, and even themselves. The platform has been featured in various media outlets, emphasizing its credibility and reach.

Testimonials on the site underscore its utility in various scenarios, from stopping unwanted calls and texts to connecting with lost friends. One of Spokeo’s strengths is its commitment to user privacy and its emphasis on providing accurate and up-to-date information.

  1. TruthFinder

TruthFinder is a platform that offers a variety of search services, including people search, reverse phone lookup, and address lookup. The website emphasizes its commitment to user privacy and ensures a secure connection for its users.

A notable feature of TruthFinder is its extensive public records search, which covers areas like social media, photos, police records, background checks, civil judgments, contact information, and more. Testimonials on the site highlight its effectiveness in reconnecting with long-lost friends and verifying information about individuals.

The Chief Technology Officer, Shiem Edelbrock, emphasises the platform’s dedication to website security, ensuring that users can trust the information they receive. However, it’s essential to note that TruthFinder is not a consumer reporting agency, and the information it provides should not be used for decisions about consumer credit or employment.

TruthFinder presents itself as a reliable tool for those seeking to uncover detailed information about individuals.

Conclusion

In today’s competitive job market, ensuring the authenticity and suitability of potential employees is paramount. Employment background check services play a crucial role in this process, offering employers peace of mind and confidence in their hiring decisions.

Whether you’re a small business or a large corporation, investing in thorough background checks is a prudent step toward building a trustworthy and competent team.