As 2019 kicks into high gear, it’s a good time to take a look at the changes in employment screening trends. A company’s success depends on using new services and technology for employment screening and background checks.
Looking ahead, here are the three trends we expect to make the most impact.
An Increase in Social Media Screening
Social media continues to evolve and gain in popularity. For that reason, more companies are investing in social media screening. Many candidates consider personal profiles to be just that – personal. Employers can gain a better understanding of a candidate’s personality from their social media profile than just through their resume.
According to a 2018 CareerBuilder survey, 70 percent of employers used social media to screen candidates during the hiring process.
But that doesn’t mean current employees should be overlooked. According to the same survey, 43 percent of employers used social media to check on current employees. In a world where a company’s brand is so fragile, employers continue to monitor the people who currently represent their brand as well.
Oral Drug Screenings Are Gaining in Popularity
In the past, employees had to go offsite for drug and alcohol screenings. With oral drug screenings, that isn’t the case anymore. During an oral drug screening, an absorbent collection device is placed in the mouth and the saliva collected is screened. And the best part? No urine samples.
For first-shift employees, an offsite drug test isn’t a problem. But what if an accident happens at the work place for a second- or third-shift employee? It’s required for the employer to administer a drug and alcohol test, but if the lab closes at 5 p.m., where do they go? This is no longer an issue with onsite screenings.
SkillSurvey Will Change the World of Reference Checks
With SkillSurvey, references are anonymous. The customized questions are straightforward and ask for the positives and negatives traits of candidates. References offer more honest feedback through this method. Also, the turnaround time is faster enabling the right candidates to get hired quicker.
Signet Screening President Matt Messersmith said that since working with SkillSurvey, his customers have avoided hires that initially seemed like the perfect candidate.
“We’ve had people who possessed glowing resumes,” says Messersmith. “They interviewed incredibly well, they passed the background check, they pass the drug screen and then our customer sends out the SkillSurvey. Because of the survey results, our customers have said they decided not to move forward with that person.”
For More Information
At Signet Screening, we provide comprehensive solutions for all of your pre-employment screening needs. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for more information.
