The fact that some people lie on their job applications is hardly surprising. But what is surprising is that the numbers have been increasing over the past few years.

To put an end to it, more firms are now routinely conducting employment screening as part of the job hiring process. Many firms are now outsourcing the process of employment verification to pre employment screening services.

The pre employment screening services vet the resume handed over to them by the employment firm. They first run background checks to make sure that the applicant has not lied about his or her name or where he or she came from.

As part of the pre employment test screening, the services run the applicant's information through national criminal record databases. They also carry out personal background checks and sometimes social security checks on the individual.

Some pre employment screening services make potential candidates under go polygraph tests to determine honesty and loyalty. This is usually done for jobs that handle a lot of sensitive information.  The areas in which this applicant screening technique is used include pharmacy, banking, casinos, law enforcement and sensitive technology work.

Some pre employment screening services also require potential employees to hand over copies of education transcripts and a list of five references. Sometimes, this information can indicate some red flags regarding the applicant.

Most employers find that requesting an employee background check is one of the best techniques to discourage applicants who have something to hide. Even if the company does not go through and conduct an employment background check, the mention of it seems to stop unsuitable candidates from applying.

However, before conducting a pre employment background screening on an applicant, the company needs to inform the applicant about it.  Employers need to request The Fair Credit Reporting Act for access to an applicant's background information.

Employers may ask for employment screening processes that include examining an individual's credit records, academic records, personal references, driving records, criminal records and workers compensation details as part of the employment verification process.

An applicant who does not get a job because of information that appears on a credit report needs to be informed. The employer is also duty bound to hand over the report along with the name and details of the credit agency to the applicant.