If you’re an employer who conducts background checks on all new personnel, congratulations!  You’ve taken the first step to ensuring that you’re hiring decent individuals.  But don’t rely on background checks alone.  A comprehensive hiring strategy must be a part of any company’s plan for success.

What else should you include in your interviewing process in addition to background checks? 

• Always check references.  You can do this yourself or hire a third party provider to do it for you.
• Always check past employers.  Again, this is something that can be handled in or out of house.
• Establish protocols for interviews.  This will set a tone for how all your new hires are interviewed.
• Train any interviewers.  Don’t assume that a good employee will be a good interviewer.  Get him or her training.
• Don’t allow anyone to hire on “gut instincts”.  Sometimes, your gut can be wrong… and that can cost you money, time and, unfortunately, your reputation.