1. they are unpredictable, and 2. they lie.
While this isn’t true for all candidates, it is the case for some. This is also true for candidates regardless of which field they come from, or level of professionalism or education they possess. It’s also hard to distinguish the honest candidates from the dishonest. However, there are steps to take to protect yourself and business from such candidates. So, how do you determine if your candidate is honest and trustworthy?
Although you can never really tell if a potential hire is going to fit, looking into their background is surefire way to learn more. Employment experts estimate that 30 percent of all resumes contain false or exaggerated information. Furthermore, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a candidate who admits to performing poorly at a previous job. It is up to you as an employer to uncover this information. You can do so in two ways. The first is to run a background check to check on previous criminal behavior and verify certifications. A second way, and a step that is often skipped, is to check references.
Prior to checking references, always be sure to have your final candidates fill out a Reference Check Release Form, as some employers may require approval before divulging information. At Safari Solutions, we recommend checking at least three references before extending an offer. When speaking to the references, make sure to bring up any questions or red flags you have about the candidate. And most importantly, listen closely. While what you learn may not influence your hiring decision, it may be useful from a management perspective as you work with your new employee.
