Today more than ever, consumers are doing more research.  They are reading reviews online, reviewing testimonials to make sure they are true and accurate and asking for reference letters before they purchase a product or service.  When it comes to purchasing something for your business, and the cost of the product is upwards of $10,000 or more, how far would you go to ensure that your money is well spent?

Why then, when it comes to hiring, do many employers rely only on an interview and criminal background check? Interviews are a great way to meet applicants face to face and get to know them, but think of it like this.  The applicant is like a salesman who wants your business.  During the interview they are putting their best foot forward to sell themselves.  As the old saying goes "They can talk the talk, but can they walk the walk?"

Resume fraud has been statistically shown to increase in a down economy.  Some applicants may have been out of work for long periods of time.  What are you doing to make sure you have all of the facts before you invest tens of thousands of dollars into that applicant?

Data Facts reference checks typically cover the last 5 years of the worker's history.  Information older than this can be hard to come by or may be archived.  Reference checks can be customized to your immediate needs.  For example, DOT regulated drivers will have DOT verification confirmed, which includes drug/alcohol test results.  We can also conduct an investigative consumer report, which covers issues that have to do with an applicant's character.   

Here are a few things that are usually included in a reference check:  

• Dates of employment
• Position held
• Reason for termination 
• Rehire Status
• Job performance details 

For more information on reference checking, please contact your account executive or contact Ann Easton at 800-264-4110 or anne@datafacts.com.