Background checks are important for many reasons. You might want to learn more about the history of a potential employee, a business partner, or a romantic partner. Most people are who they say they are, but there are some unfortunate exceptions. When someone is hiding a grave secret, the consequences for those interacting with this person can be dire. 

Running a background check on a new partner or potential hire is always the smartest thing to do, even though you shouldn't expect to find the perfect person. Here's our answer to the common question of "why use a background check service." 

Check for Criminal History

The main reason companies screen job candidates is to check for criminal history. They can be held liable for negligent hiring if they don't carry out a check. An employer cannot make the best and safest hiring decision when they're not informed about a person's criminal record. 

The Implications of Looking Into Someone's Past

The existence of a criminal record or lack thereof won't always tell you enough about the subject of your search. For example, someone's financial history can be a crucial aspect to be aware of. You need to check if they are on any offender registers or watchlists. You might learn someone used to live under an alias, which might conceal important information about them. You could also check if they have ever been involved in any legal action.

Find More Information About a Potential SO

Safe hires aren't the only reason background checks are important. You might have come across something on a dating site that leaves you wondering, such as an excessively mysterious profile. In this case, you might run a background check to learn more about the person. When it comes to dating online, some mystery may be normal. To some, it's even appealing and exciting. However, it might signal you're not going to get the whole truth.

Imagine this: two people meet online, chat, and eventually meet in person. Their first date is great. They both want to see each other again. They make plans to, but one of them cancels last minute, giving a reasonable excuse. However, this keeps happening every time they make plans to meet. The person on the receiving end of the excuses gives the other person the benefit of the doubt every time. Eventually, it emerges the other person was married.

Getting Peace of Mind

Background screening is a valuable procedure and tool to select the right job candidate. If applied consistently. It can eliminate the risk of many potential issues. To a company, a background check means the applicant has been screened, and their credentials and experience are sufficient to meet job requirements. This person can be presented to HR with confidence.

Companies should have consistent and clear background check policies. You want to avoid demonstrating favoritism to an applicant or rejecting someone for a reason the screening does not support. Unsuitability for the job is the only valid reason. 

It's best practice to discuss any negative findings with the candidate to eliminate the possibility of inaccurate reporting. The background check company could have confused them with someone else. 

Final Tips 

When running a background check on a possible suitor, don't rely on the results completely. Even if it reveals nothing concerning, always meet them in a safe, public place the first few times. Don't give in to pressure to meet somewhere private if you don't feel comfortable doing so. If the date doesn't go well, you might feel trapped. Choose a place that's familiar to both of you and which you can easily leave and go home if things head south.