Everything You Need To Know About Pointer Searches
We all want to find out as much as we can about a candidate before hiring them. Of course, we want evidence that the candidate is competent and qualified to fill the role for which they’re applying. We also want to know if they’re honest and trustworthy, especially if they’ll be working with vulnerable populations (like children) or if they’ll be handling money.
Wouldn’t it be great if all you had to do was click on the applicant’s name in one database and instantly find out all this information?
Unfortunately, it’s not so simple. Hundreds of different databases and record sources exist at the national, local and state level, and each database reveals different kinds of information.
So where to start? The best place to start is usually a pointer search.
Why Veriswift Conducts Pointer Searches
Background screenings are by no means simple. Sometimes, the most complex aspect of them is understanding where to look.
That’s why it’s helpful to use a few preliminary searches to point us in the right direction.
First, we can conduct a National Criminal Database Search. This vast database includes millions of criminal records. While the information obtained here is not complete, anything we find indicates the need for other searches, such as county and/or municipal criminal record checks in jurisdictions that the candidate didn’t live.
An SSN (Social Security Number) Trace is another essential pointer search. This brings up any information attached to a particular Social Security Number, including previous addresses and aliases. This is a good way to verify that the SSN information an applicant has provided is associated with their name, and that the SSN isn’t listed in the SSA master death file. To complement the SSN Trace, an address history check may also be conducted. This can verify that a candidate has lived at the addresses they provided and turn up additional addresses. This is often used to trigger other types of screening, such as county, state, and/or federal court searches.
Why Pointer Searches Are Only the Beginning
While pointer searches are useful to cast a wide net and figure out what you need to look for, we cannot rely solely on these preliminary searches when making a decision about a candidate. The information uncovered in a pointer search may be incomplete or inaccurate. For that reason, we use them simply to point us in the right direction. If potential criminal history appears on a pointer search, it’s best to go directly to the source for verification, and search the source of record such as county, state, or federal court records. In some cases, a motor vehicle records search or another type of search may be required.
The type of screenings we conduct depend on the position as well as the industry and, of course, on what information is uncovered during the initial pointer search.
In most cases, a variety of searches will need to be performed to allow a full picture of the candidate.
As you can imagine, without undertaking pointer searches, you may not search sources that are relevant to the candidate.
Fortunately, you can rely on Veriswift to perform such pointer searches with speed and accuracy. We also have the expertise to determine what further screenings should be conducted, and to complete them with thoroughness and efficiency.
The process of performing a background check on prospective employees does not have to use up your valuable time. Contact Veriswift to find out how we can help.