Almost no one employs without carrying out a background check these days, not even small companies. In such intensely competitive age, most employers cannot afford to take the risk of employing the wrong candidate.

Most large corporate organizations recruit the services of an employment screening company. A large number of them authorize a number of screening tests including drug screening and background screening.

However, there are some small organizations, that can't really afford the services of an employment screening company. These small businesses need to take up the task of applicant screening upon themselves. This does take up a lot of time.

The applicant screening process is very important to the hiring process. It demonstrates to the employees that the employer spent considerable time on the hiring process and that employers exercised due diligence on their part. This can protect an employer from claims of "negligent hiring."

Pre employment screening is also essential to obtain all the factual information about a candidate as well as to supplement the employer's impression of the candidate. The screening also serves to discourage applicants with something to hide and encourages applicants to be honest during the interview process.

For most businesses, the pre employment screening process starts as soon as an applicant submits the application. It is completed only when an individual is hired. A typical applicant screening program emphasizes checking for criminal records.

Applicant screening can be expensive for small businesses. However, small business owners can add a few lines to their job advertisement that can serve as the first line of defense for applicant screening.

For instance, an employer could use proficiency in a foreign language as one of the criteria's for applicant screening. Such an advertisement will automatically eliminate a lot of candidates.

A small business owner may also require prospective candidates to have work authorization. Such an applicant screening technique screens applicants who are not legally authorized to work in the country.

A small business owner needs to get written permission from the individual before carrying out any background check.

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