Outsourcing Reference Checking
Why don't past employers share? There are several reasons. Some are concerned about being sued for giving a bad reference or saying too much. Perhaps they have a company policy that prohibits them from sharing more than the past employment dates of a former employee. Whatever the reason, we've all, at one time or another, had the job of calling an applicant's past employer for a reference, only to run into a brick wall.
Many companies and HR professionals are looking at outsourcing the task of reference checking. They want to know if they can expect more information then if they did the job themselves. The answer is undeniably "Yes."
Pretiem Pre-Employment Screening is a highly-regarded employment verification service located in Princeton, NJ. They feel the value of outsourcing not only stems from making your job as an HR professional easier but by providing comprehensive background information on potential employees, too difficult and time-consuming to obtain on your own. For example, Pretiem can call past employers and get answers to questions about applicants including everything from dates a person worked with a company, to their salary level and how well they worked at their job.
For employers who wish to know more, outsourcing can supply answers to:
- Punctuality and attendance record
- Quality of work
- Performance of assigned duties
- Interpersonal skills
- Reason for leaving
- Eligibility for rehire
Why can an employment verification service get this information, while it may be difficult for you? Some companies are more willing to speak to a neutral third party than directly with prospective employers. Since the verification service is removed from the hiring process, companies are more inclined to share. They recognize that it's an employment verification service's sole job to verify and obtain information, and they comply with requests for reference checks.
According to Pretiem, there are four main reasons an outsource service can get more information:
1. Persistence
Call and call and call. Leave voicemail. And call and call and call. Your outsource vendor can do this because it's their only job. In a busy HR department, there are a truckload of jobs to do and deadlines to meet. You just don't have the time. Employment verification services call until they get a hold of the source.
2. Show the authorization
Outsource companies provide consent forms. Each candidate gives written authorization to obtain background information about them. The signed authorization statement is faxed to former employers giving them the green light to provide all the information necessary.
Also, prospective employers take comfort in knowing an applicant has given consent. For the applicant, let's face it, getting a job is competitive. The candidate readily complies because they want the employer to favor him or her over the other person. Results of reference checks can sometimes make the difference between an employer shouting, "Next!", and calling back for a second interview.
3. Know who to call
When you call hundreds of companies a day to check references, you learn who to call, the best time to call and their policies on giving information. A service such as Pretiem, has countless contacts making the process more efficient. These details are then databased to make the process flow smoothly.
4. Ask the right questions, the right way
The nature of the questions is just as important as the order in which they are asked. Reference sources with a person's past employers are usually interviewed by phone. Some companies prefer to complete a written questionnaire provided by an outsource service. Adverse information about a candidate is confirmed by a second source at the company. After all, an employer doesn't want to base an important hiring decision on information supplied by someone who may have had a personal conflict with the candidate.
The most striking aspect of outsourcing background checks is its low cost. Compare that against a bad hire, and you'll find outsourcing very price-effective. The cost, depending on the type of report you request averages between $X-$X. And some employment verification services such as Pretiem, offer employment reports, criminal, reports, etc., over the web in just 2-3 days. These user-friendly sites allow busy HR professionals to evaluate their applicants according to their own standards and procedures; integrating both companies' systems.
With 80% of all applicants lying on their resumes/applications combined with the downsizing of HR departments, it is apparent outsourcing background checks is the best way to protect your company. As an added bonus, it makes our jobs as HR professionals a little easier.
Author: Ezra Schneier, President of Pretiem, Princeton, New Jersey