APAC Background Checks

Ask anything about background checks, What you would like to know. I'll share whenever possible. Background of the Author Melissa had been working in the Background screening industry for 6 years and would now like to do more to help the public better understand the process and industry. Melissa can also be contacted via Email

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Who could Screen me?

In the last couple of networking events and gatherings the topic on Background screening came as an "interesting" discussion topic and today I'll share on what are some of the questions that were asked.

Can anyone on the street request that you conduct a background check report on me?

Would you be able to run a check on me just by giving you my business cards?

Can i run a check on anyone?

Basically, background checks can be conducted on anyone and everyone. At the same time, you could also say that no one could.

My first question would always be, "Does the person that you're screening knows that you're screening him/her?" Next, it would be 

"Would him/her allow/authorize/give consent to us to screen on them?"

Us in this case would be referring to the requestor and screening provider.

If consent is not granted, Background checks cannot be conducted.

The key to conducting background checks is to ensure that the party you're screening is aware that they are being screened and give you the consent to screen them.

Lastly, due to increasing global recruitment due diligence policy, the company that you are with or about to join may request that a background checks to be conducted as part the onboarding or random checking.

Do speak with the department or personnel who is requesting for background checks to be done to ensure you understand what is required by them and the vendor. Understand everything that you're required to complete and asked to sign. 

Supplement Article for Review as well 

1) Performing an Employee Background Check

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Hiring your Senior Mgmt and you've decided not to Screen them? er..

When you are hiring someone for these high profile roles, they are generally someone really Senior in the industry, had really good reputation. Everyone seems to know them, and you think you do as well? BUT, are you sure you know them?

Read an article yesterday on how little we are screening these crowd who we think we know, the fact was we are screening a lot more on Fresh Graduates than Corporate Leaders. [UK Business Leaders Undergo Fewer Checks than Graduates]

Few reasons why was that, the Background screening process had been deemed as tedious, and possibly invading privacy and most HR Managements would prefer not to go through this with their Prospective Executive Hire. 

Why Tedious?- The New Hires would be asked to complete additional forms, providing information and documents at times. The more countries you have worked or lived in the more information would be required. There could be times where documents had been provided to the recruiting agencies/ headhunters, the HR division, their relocation vendor. And so, the candidate goes, "I've provided this multiple times, to various people from your organization". 

Invading their Privacy? - First and foremost, I need to clarify on this, Background checks are done with consent from the subject themselves, and we do not look up Facebook or Twitter or even Instagram accounts to check who you hang out with. All checks were done through proper channel and the candidates would be informed.

These are the best examples. 

5 big-shots who lied on their resumes

Andrew Flanagan was fired on his first day in a senior role at Myer

Ex-NUS professor in resume fraud scandal in US

So what happened next? 

Your company's name goes right on top of the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Consumers/clients start questioning on what kind of due diligence you have put in place. 

Is my kid getting the right kind of education if his Professor was having a fake degree?

Am I safe to shop?

If they cannot hire the right candidate, can they ensure the quality of merchandise or goods that I'm getting from their shop?

"Let's weigh it, would the cost of getting a background checks done be higher than the cost of putting your reputations at risk?" 

The Cost that you would have to spend to recover your reputation is going to cost the organization a lot more time and money than to conduct Background checks.

I'll say, screening your new hire is a MUST, but do within your means. If you're engaging a third party, have a discussion with them on your budget and what would they recommend.

Screening providers are well verse, and they should have sufficient knowledge to guide you if this is the first time you're attempting to do screening.

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Background Screening Aka Pre-employment screening

Based on your understanding, share with me what you think we do as part of the background check?