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PBSA Journal PAGE 16 JAN/FEB 2025 Except where otherwise indicated, articles are copyright © by PBSA 2025. All rights reserved. I n my professional journey, I have seen resumes of every shape and size. Yet, no matter how diverse, these resumes only project a linear, curated snapshot of a candidate's professional history. The evolving hiring landscape has shown that relying solely on resumes often paints an incomplete picture. What has proven revolutionary in the realm of hiring is background checks. Background checks have been a cornerstone of recruitment for decades and research has consistently shown that companies hiring candidates after a thorough background check have fewer turnover rates and greater success stories. According to a study by CareerBuilder, 75% of employers who perform background checks report improved quality of hires, leading to long-term retention. Background checks empower hiring managers to go beyond the 'one-dimensional- resume approach' and gauge candidates holistically. The Resume vs. Reality: Where Gaps Often Lie Bryan Robinson, author of Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World: A Guide to Balance, mentions that 70% of candidates have agreed to lie on their resumes. In my professional journey, as the CEO of Check Xperts, I have observed that the urgency of securing the job leads candidates to exaggerate their achievements and responsibilities. From fake-education degree to embellishing responsibilities in general; resumes are a walking deception of many things a candidate is not. A candidate's resume might read that they have been employed for 20 years, but do their skills showcase the same? When an employee is hired based on inflated credentials, their performance does not meet expectations, leading to disillusionment among managers and coworkers. Moreover, other team members when working alongside individuals who don't deliver as promised, feel frustrated and demotivated. This leads to a decline in team morale and disruption in collaboration. The most direct consequence of unchecked claims is the underperformance of the team and the company. With everything said, resumes create a potential image for the hiring managers, how much of this 'image' is true needs to be assessed first before getting candidates on board. Red Flags That Background Checks Uncover We all dislike incomplete stories, and a resume is just like an incomplete story. Comprehensive background checks with their ability to reveal critical red flags, complete this story, and extract the complete picture of a candidate before hiring. The insights gained through background checks identify potential risks and create alignment between the candidate and the responsibilities of the role. An important part of background checks is checking criminal history. A theft conviction may raise concerns if the position involves handling finances, while a history of violence could be critical in customer-facing roles. Equally concerning are patterns of toxic behavior or harassment. Such behavior can ripple through an organization, eroding team morale and productivity. References alone often fail to expose these traits, but detailed background checks uncover patterns that protect workplace harmony. In regulated, sensitive industries like banking or law, financial discrepancies such as bankruptcies can be telling. While financial difficulties don't define a person, they may indicate potential risks when the role involves managing significant assets or client funds. Background checks, when used responsibly, are not about exclusion at all. On the contrary, they are about safeguarding the integrity and culture of the workplace, ensuring every hire contributes positively to the organization. Protecting Company Culture and Brand Hiring a candidate is much more than filling positions–it's about shaping the future of an organization. At a macro level, poor hiring decisions cost businesses millions in lawsuits. Studies suggest that 74% of companies admit to hiring the wrong candidate at least once, resulting in not only monetary loss but also productivity and trust. Beyond the Resume: How Background Checks Reveal the Unseen Truths About Job Applicants By Taha Kisat Continued on page 17

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