What type of background checks should I do when hiring salespeople?

Do you run background checks when hiring salespeople? Your salespeople represent your company and interact with customers; it’s a good idea to do so. However, compliance with all relevant laws and regulations is important when conducting background checks. In the United States, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulates the use of background checks in hiring and sets requirements for obtaining consent and providing notices to candidates.

Here are a few types of background checks you may want to consider:

1. Criminal history check: This type of check searches public records to identify any criminal convictions that a candidate may have.
   
2. Employment verification: This check verifies a candidate’s past employment history and job titles, as well as dates of employment.
   
3. Education verification: This check verifies a candidate’s education history, including degrees earned and institutions attended.
   
4. Professional license verification: If the sales role requires a professional license, such as a real estate or insurance license, you may want to verify that the candidate has a valid license and that it is in good standing.
   
5. Reference check: This check involves contacting a candidate’s past employers or colleagues to gather information about their work history and performance.