The pandemic has undoubtedly changed several aspects when it comes to the hiring process, and this includes how we approach employment background checks.
“Normal” hiring activities have been disrupted, and most recruiters are no longer able to meet candidates face-to-face before making a decision.
Closures may also limit your ability to access necessary information. This underscores the importance of completing thorough background checks.
In fact, Allied Market Research has found that the employment screening services market generated $4.95 billion in 2020. And the number is expected to grow even further in the next decade or so as younger people are joining the workforce.
As the landscape for employee screening continues to change, here are some red flags to look out for when conducting your background investigations:
1. Inconsistencies with the resume
The traditional resume isn’t obsolete just yet. Its value comes from its ability to provide a bird's-eye view of a candidate’s experience and qualifications.
However, this is under the assumption that the candidate represents that information truthfully and accurately. One of the first red flags to look for is inconsistencies between a candidate’s claims and what is actually on their resume.
Applicants may claim to have had a longer tenure at a company or graduated from institutions they dropped out from.
It’s important to consider just how grave the discrepancy is first — it’s very common for candidates to mix up months between previous jobs. However, greater discrepancies are red flags.
2. Dishonesty about previous job roles
