Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts
Showing posts with label small business. Show all posts

Sunday, December 11, 2022

Happy Holidays!

 Happy Holidays!

It is that time of year again…holiday festivities are in full swing and the current year is winding down to welcome in the new.

It is a time of wonder, reflection, hope, and yes, exhaustion!

It is also the time of year when we at Access Profiles take a break from our business and shift our focus to our wonderful family and friends.

To that end, this will be our last blog post for the year. We will resume with our annual “Best Of” post in the beginning of January.

We look forward to being able to share many more blog articles to help you with your own Small Business in the coming year.

We hope that you will all be able to take the break you need too!

Wishing you all a very happy holiday season and all the best in the coming New Year.

Here is hoping that 2023 will be amazing!


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Sunday, February 20, 2022

Discover why doing Employment Background Checks is More Important than ever!

It is not easy to find the right employee, especially for a Small Business!

Hiring someone with the right skills, experience, and “fit” is, of course, essential. They need to not only be able to do the job, but to do it well.

But finding that talented candidate is not enough. They also need to be a safe and reliable hire. One that will not jeopardize the safety of your company’s existing employees, your customers, or your assets. 

And the key to accomplishing this goal is by doing a sound Employment Background Check!

When you screen your potential new hires, you are not only making a cost-effective and sound business decision, you are protecting your business reputation. And here are 4 reasons why......

  1. Small Businesses have limited budget for hiring and training
  2. The more “intimate setting” of a Small Business requires safer hires
  3. Background Checks help Small Businesses avoid litigation
  4. Small Businesses rely heavily on their reputation

“Your customers rely on your honesty and integrity, and will keep doing business with you because of it. Having unsafe employees can ruin that reputation. If your company is not taking the time to hire wisely, customers will notice. If your reputation is ruined or tainted by the actions of your employees, it is hard to bounce back. Small Businesses especially have to be vigilant in protecting the good reputation they have built.

By using Background Checks, Small Businesses can avoid making many of these missteps”. 

Find out more in “4 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need to use Background Checks”!

The question then becomes ~ what is the best way to get the quality background check you need?

You may find it tempting to simply go online and use the first "instant" background check website you see. But that would be a mistake!

“You see them everywhere. Ads touting “totally free”, “instant”, or "low cost" background checks. They all promise to get you information on anyone at any time.

Just do an online search for “Background Checks” and you will see what we mean. Over 40 million results pop up from “$9.83 for Unlimited Searches”, “Background Checks - Search for Free!”, to our personal favorite, “Instant Background Checks - 100% Free”! Who wouldn’t be intrigued?

And if you are hiring for your small business while trying to work within a budget and pressed for time, then you might be tempted to give it a try. But take our advice, and Stop Right There!”.

That online background check is simply not enough. It is essential that you take an all-important "Second Step". 

And that step, additional verification, is where a real, quality Background Check shines. Additional verification is vital in ensuring that you get the accurate and up-to-date information you need.

Checking any information found through a database search against real court records is simply good business. It is the single best way to determine whether any record found actually belongs to your subject.

Court records will also be more complete. They will contain identifying information, such as date of birth, of the subject. The court record will also list details of the charges, final disposition, and sentence. If no disposition is listed, then that additional verification will determine if it is an active case where no disposition is yet recorded. Online Databases are often missing the information you need and that can result in major holes in your report.

The bottom line is this ~ there is a definite difference between an Online Database search and the kind of information a real Background Background check will provide.

Find out more about the importance of going “directly to the source” when doing your employment background check here!

When it comes to your business reputation it is vital that you protect it, and that includes making safe hires, and using the right background check company to help you do it!

“It takes a significant time and resources to build a strong reputation and just moments to ruin it. How can people trust that the company will keep them safe if they cannot trust who is being sent into their homes. How can other employees feel safe if they are working next to someone they cannot trust? The loss of control is scary to consider. A person’s position in the company could be threatened because of the actions of another person who wasn’t properly vetted.”

That is why it is so important to know When and How to pick the right Background Check company for you!

“Our advice? The best time to contact us, or any screening company, is long BEFORE you ever need to hire!

Many companies get this backwards. They realize they need to hire, then scramble to find someone to help them screen their applicants ~ or worse, forgo the background check all together.

Meeting with potential background check companies before hand, and choosing the one best for you, will make your hiring process much smoother and more successful!

A good background check company will help you put in place all the steps you need to follow well in advance. This may start with the job descriptions for each position within your company (this is something that we have helped clients with in the past), and should also include advising you on your  employment applications.  

They will also make sure your release forms are compliant, or supply you with one of their own, along with explaining employee rights when it comes to background checks, adverse action letters, etc.

Connecting with your background check company early also gives you ample time to ask any questions you may have about the employment screening process. There should never be any confusion about how and why you are using background checks in your hiring practices.

Going the extra mile to make sure you are completely comfortable with the entire process is the goal of every good screening service ~ and this is especially important to Small Business.

With limited budgets and the settings that often result in close contact among employees and customers, hiring safely is more important than ever. “

You should choose a company that:

  • focuses on your needs
  • uses direct sources for their information
  • is willing to take the time necessary to do their job right
  • understands compliance issues
  • does not promise prices that are “too good to be true”

Outsourcing your employment background checks is simply good business. It will give you access to their knowledge and experience, keep you updated on compliance issues, will help you keep your candidate and employee information confidential and protected, act as a barrier against discrimination claims, and, most importantly, save you time, money, and resources.

Find out more about When and How to choose the best Background Check company for you here!

Making sure your new hires are going to be an asset to your Small Business is vital ~ and doing a sound background check on them first goes a long way towards achieving that goal. And the time to start is now! 

So, before you hire your next employee, Contact Us. We can answer your Background Check questions and help you hire safely and effectively for your Small Business!


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Sunday, January 23, 2022

Our Most Popular Articles of 2021

 

Every year we take stock of the articles we posted. We take note of what topics resonated with our readers and which fell flat. We also discover trends and areas of interest that help us write articles for the upcoming year. 

This year is no different!

Here are our Top 5 most popular blog posts of 2021……..

Not surprisingly, our two most read articles centered on the effects of COVID and hiring.

In, “Can COVID delay your Background Checks?” we focused on the very real problem in getting timely background check results due to closures, limited working hours, and a reduced workforce.

“There is no doubt that the effects of the COVID pandemic have caused problems for businesses. It has impacted employees, customers, and a businesses bottom line. And one of these problems is potential delays to employment background checks".

Factors than can delay your background check due to the COVID pandemic include:

  • Court closures and limited court and records staff may delay receiving case records needed for criminal and civil reports
  • Limited Staff and Work from home employees can make it hard to reach anyone to verify the information you need  
  • Work from home employees may not have ready access to the files containing the information required 
  • Business you are trying to reach may be shut down or their hours limited

Learn more about the effects of COVID and other factors on your employment background checks here!

Our next popular article looked into why many companies are having a problem finding new hires. 

In “Need to Hire but ‘No one wants to Work'? The problem might not be what you think!”, we shared what employers need to focus on to attract the employees they need!

“If you find that your business is facing the "I need to hire but no one is applying" dilemma, instead of throwing in the towel, you need to do this instead ~ take a good hard look at what you and your business are offering!

Be honest with yourself……

  • Before the pandemic hit did you have a high employee turnover?
  • Despite your company earning increasing business profits, did your employees’ wages remain stagnant?
  • Did you ignore or refuse to offer incentives such as good benefits and perks to attract and retain good workers? 

If the answers to any of these questions is "yes", then the next question becomes….What can you do now?

This is the time to change your tactics, and that starts with doing the following….

  • Get the Word Out
  • Use the Employees you have to Recruit new ones
  • Offer bonuses, better pay and incentives

Check out the entire article to find out more!

Another article that clearly resonated, especially with employers, was “Learn how You can use your Existing Employees to help you Hire!”.

Employers are always looking for ways to attract applicants. However, one resource they often overlook is their current employees!

“Using your existing workforce as a resource simply makes good business sense. They are intimately aware of what is needed to do the jobs within your company and they also understand the inner workings of the team.

So how exactly can they help you find and train the new hire you need?

Here are some tips to help ~

Reach out to your employees, especially your best and brightest. Talk to them. Find out more about what skills and talents are needed to help your company grow and succeed. Learn where your workforce is lacking and where it needs help. Really listen to what they have to say. Their input will be invaluable not only in recruiting but when it comes time to make a job offer.

Ask them to refer other like-minded, smart and hard-working individuals to the business to supplement your recruiting efforts. Sometimes your current employees are your best resource for finding qualified candidates who can help improve your business”.

Read the entire article for more tips!

The following article was popular among Job Seekers! 

Do Companies contact Current Employers when doing a Background Check?” focused on the common fear that a current employer will find out they are looking for a new job!

“There is no doubt that job applicants have a valid concern when it comes to their current employer finding out they are looking elsewhere. The chance that their current job may be put in jeopardy, without another offer and acceptance in hand, is bound to cause angst. That is why it is so important to know the facts first”.

As a rule, companies do not contact current employers. They understand the very real problem that can create for their applicants. But past employers are another story!

That is why it is best to be prepared!

Check out our entire article here to find out what you need to know before you apply!

Both Employers and Job Seekers found our final top article on “Ageism” relevant, “Ageism in the Workplace ~ Discover why you need to Hire and Retain Older Workers”. 

“The fact is, rather than retire at age 65, more older Americans are remaining in or returning to the workforce. Some are continuing to work due to longer life expectancies, health expenses or financial insecurity. Others simply enjoy the social interaction and the fulfillment and sense of identity work provides. In order to succeed, it is vital that your workplace embrace them. Is your company ready?”.

It is important that your company show a strong dedication to hiring for qualifications and fitness for the job no matter the age, sex, race, religion, or sexual orientation of your applicants. 

You can accomplish this by:

  • Using age-inclusive language in your hiring and employment practices, including job postings.
  • Focusing on establishing benefits that take into consideration the wants and needs of your diverse workforce.
  • Creating a welcoming and innovative working environment that encourages collaboration.

Discover how eliminating Ageism in your workplace will encourage a variety of applicants and help your business by checking out the full article by clicking on the link above!

This rounds out our Top Blog Posts of 2021! For more articles focused on you and your Small Business, be sure to visit our site hereAnd if you have questions or topics you would like to see covered in the coming year, please Contact Us or comment on this article. We would love to hear from you!


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Thursday, December 16, 2021

Happy Holidays!

It's that time of year again ~ a time when we  celebrate the holidays and are both nostalgic and excited to close out the old year and welcome in the new!

For us at API, it is our favorite season of all!

It is a special time that many of us fill with family and friends. We decorate our homes with holiday lights and enjoy the quiet times just enjoying their glow.  

For many it also means taking a break from our work or even our own small businesses.

But perhaps our favorite is the time is spent in reflection and wonder. Remembering holidays past with loved ones who may no longer be here. Looking back on what we have accomplished or wished we had. But also looking forward to what the new year will bring!

No matter how you choose to celebrate, our hope is that you have time to relax, enjoy, and do all the wonderful things that this holiday season has to offer!

So, from us at Access Profiles to all of you ~ We wish you the Happiest of Holidays and a safe and successful New Year!


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Friday, November 19, 2021

It’s Time to Remember and Give Thanks!

We are Thankful!

The older we get the more we find that with the holidays comes reflection. We remember past celebrations and the people we shared them with. We cherish the present for the chance to get together with family and friends, keep up holiday traditions, and create new ones. And we also find ourselves looking forward to what future holidays hold.

And this Thanksgiving is no different.

We are busily prepping our home to welcome out of town family and planning our dinner that will feature family favorites and some new dishes to try. And despite being exhausting, we are thankful for all of it.

But our gratitude and reflection doesn’t end there. At API, we are also truly thankful for our wonderful clients and our small business friends. 

Without your patronage and support we could not have weathered all the recent uncertainties or been able to run our business for the past 25 years! 

We don’t take your loyalty lightly and we will be forever grateful!

So, from the bottom of our hearts…..We wish you and yours a wonderful holiday filled with hope, happiness, family, and friends.

To all our Small Business friends and followers…..What are you especially thankful for this year? Please share by commenting below! We would love to hear from you!

Happy Thanksgiving!


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Sunday, June 27, 2021

We are finding Special Meaning in this Independence Day!


 What are you celebrating this Independence Day?

While the traditional reason behind July 4th is still something to honor, this year we all have more reasons that ever to celebrate.

We have come through a very trying and difficult time. Not only our nation, but the entire world, has faced many hardships, sorrows, and divisions. We have lost loved ones. We have been separated from family and friends. And we have seen the difficulties that came from businesses downsizing and even shutting their doors for good.

At Access Profiles, we have also felt the profound effects of the pandemic, so we understand. We saw the struggles our clients faced and offered sympathy and support sympathize while we dealt with our own.

But despite these hardships, many of us are finally seeing a way out and shifting our focus on the days ahead! We are finding a new Independence!

People are visiting their family and friends. Travel is exploding as we are all more than ready to take the trips we postponed and find new places to explore. 

Many businesses are also finding their way back. After long months of safety restrictions and modified hours, they are slowly moving forward and back towards their “normal”.  

As customers, we are responding. People are no longer only relying on take-out to keep their favorite restaurants afloat. We are once again eating inside. Entertainment and sports venues are seeing increased attendance. And many other businesses, such as retail, are feeling more hopeful than they have in a long time.

And we are all more than ready!

So this July 4th, and for many to come, we all should reflect on what has passed and rejoice at what has yet to come. We know we will! Happy Independence Day to all!


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Sunday, April 25, 2021

Need a Background Check? Find out when and how to choose the right company for you!

 When is the best time to choose your Background Check company? 

The short answer is this ~ long before you are ready to hire! And here is why….

Imagine this, you are ready to make a new hire for your Small Business. You tell your network, place ads ~ all the things you hope will land you the perfect applicant.

You contact a few hopefuls to come in for an interview and find three possible candidates. But before making your new hire, you decide it might be wise to run a background check first.   

You make a few calls, or check online, and find a company you think will get you the information you need.  

What could be better? But instead of being a good way to hire for your business, this is actually a perfect example of what NOT to do!

Our advice? The best time to contact us, or any screening company, is long BEFORE you ever need to hire!

Many companies get this backwards. They realize they need to hire, then scramble to find someone to help them screen their applicants ~ or worse, forgo the background check all together.

Meeting with potential background check companies before hand, and choosing the one best for you, will make your hiring process much smoother and more successful!

A good background check company will help you put in place all the steps you need to follow well in advance. This may start with the job descriptions for each position within your company (this is something that we have helped clients with in the past), and should also include advising you on your  employment applications.  

They will also make sure your release forms are compliant, or supply you with one of their own, along with explaining employee rights when it comes to background checks, adverse action letters, etc.

Connecting with your background check company early also gives you ample time to ask any questions you may have about the employment screening process. There should never be any confusion about how and why you are using background checks in your hiring practices.

Going the extra mile to make sure you are completely comfortable with the entire process is the goal of every good screening service ~ and this is especially important to Small Business.

With limited budgets and the settings that often result in close contact among employees and customers, hiring safely is more important than ever. 

Read “4 Reasons Why Small Businesses Need to Use Background Checks” to find out more!

No matter whether you are ready to make your first hire, or your 20th, preparing early  for what you need to do and when makes sense. And the best way to accomplish this? Partner with the right background check company first!

After all, going into anything blindly is rarely the best course of action ~ and making your new hire is no exception!

Choose a Background Check company that will work WITH you, not just FOR you! "Tweet This"

Want to know how to choose the best background check company for you and your business? The key is to find one that will work with you every step of the way!

You should understand first and foremost that not all Background Check Companies are created equal. And many small business owners are confused or fearful of choosing the wrong one. But it is possible to find one that is a perfect fit for you and your small business. 

You should choose a company that:

  • focuses on your needs
  • uses direct sources for their information
  • is willing to take the time necessary to do their job right
  • understands compliance issues
  • does not promise prices that are “too good to be true”

Learn more about choosing the best background check company for you here!

Outsourcing your employment background checks is simply good business. It will give you access to their knowledge and experience, keep you updated on compliance issues, will help you keep your candidate and employee information confidential and protected, act as a barrier against discrimination claims, and, most importantly, save you time, money, and resources.

Learn more in “5 Smart Reasons to Outsource your Background Checks”!

No matter which screening company you choose, it is always best to do some research long before you really need their services. Having one in place before looking for your new hire will give you time to integrate the background check into your hiring process and be prepared to move quickly when a candidate looks promising. And that is good for both you and your potential new hire!

Still have questions? Contact Us Today! We can give you the information you need and help you hire safely and effectively for your Small Business.


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Sunday, December 20, 2020

Goodby 2020 and Hello 2021!


The holiday season is upon us and a brand new year is just around the corner….and who isn’t ready to say goodbye to 2020?

There is no doubt about it ~ 2020 has been a trying year.

While normally the holidays and coming new year would find us filled with hope and optimism, this time this mind set may be difficult to achieve. 

What started out as the dawn of a brand new century quickly morphed into something much different. 

News of the effects of the coronavirus circled around the world and soon cases began to crop up in the U.S. We were suddenly faced with fighting the virus, business and school closures, and all our lives were quickly changed in ways never thought possible.

People were getting sick. Many were out of work. And for some that still had jobs, working from home became the new norm.

For those that were on the front lines, life became incredibly hectic and sometimes downright scary. Health care workers were, and continue to be, on high alert and overworked. Schools had to suddenly switch gears to try and educate their students. Essential workers such as truckers, delivery services, and store workers did all they could to keep the country fed, clothed, and stocked.

But for many small businesses and their employees, things became, and continue to be dire. Drastic cuts in foot traffic and in-person customers crippled their bottom line. While some were able to pivot enough to keep money coming in, others had more trouble.

For these businesses, and for all who have faced tragedy and struggles, we can only wish that hope is on the horizon. 

And that is what the end of one year and the beginning of a new brings ~ Hope!

Even if it is hard, feeling hope is what drives us as human beings to hang in there another day. It is what keeps us moving forward, despite obstacles that get in our way.

And we have faith that better days are on the horizon!

So, on that note we are signing off from our blog and spending the remaining days of 2020 focused on family, friends, and faith! For this holiday season, and all the days to come, we wish you all Peace, Joy, and Love! 

Happy Holidays….and we will be back in the New Year!

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Check out our Background Investigation and Business Mentoring  and visit our About Us pages to find out more about the people of Access Profiles, Inc.!

Sunday, November 15, 2020

This Year most of all...We Give Thanks!

 


"Thanksgiving reminds us that no matter what befalls us in life, we can take the charred remnants and we can reconstruct a life unimaginably richer than that from which the shards and pieces fell." — Craig D. Lounsbrough

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a rough year. 

We continue to face a pandemic unlike anything we have ever seen in our lifetime. It has caused us to re-think how, and even if, we do things we used to take for granted ~ enjoy large family gatherings, go on impromptu trips and shopping excursions, and so much more.

We have also witnessed civil unrest, distrust in our institutions and leaders, and a nation often greatly divided. 

This has left many of us uneasy, saddened, and even afraid.

But no matter what we have endured, we need to remember the importance of looking past the negative and changing our mind-set. That means taking the time to recognize and cherish all we really do have and Give Thanks!

“When you arise in the morning, give thanks for the food and for the joy of living. If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.” — Tecumseh

Being thankful, grateful, and happy is often a choice, and it can be a difficult one. We often find ourselves dwelling on all we have lost and find ourselves unable to see what we still have. Keeping focus on what really matters ~ family, friends and neighbors, and even our businesses or professions ~ makes all the difference.

And when we take the time to focus on what we truly have, we know we are blessed.

We have loving and giving family and friends. Even if our connection is now often virtual, we know we are always there for each other to lend support and a laugh. We feel fortunate that our needs are met, much more often than not. 

We are also extremely thankful that our small business has been able to hold on and our clients are standing by us. That means so much to us and for that, and so much more, we will always be eternally grateful.

So, while things are certainly different, and often difficult, we can rejoice and be thankful.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." — Melody Beattie

We hope that each of you can feel thankfulness and gratitude this year and each and every one to come. Remember, no matter what…..There is always, always something to be thankful for!


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Sunday, February 9, 2020

Hiring in 2020? 5 Things You Need to Do First!

Hiring is a big step for any business. 
Whether it is your first hire or you have hired before, making sure you do it right is important for you, your employee, and your company. 


Knowing these 5 things first will ensure your Hiring Practices are up to the task!

Know what Kind of Background Check fits the Job
Knowing exactly what you need to include in your employment background checks, and why, makes good business sense. Not only will it save you time, it will save you money. It will also ensure that you are fitting the background check to the job! 

“When it comes to Background Checks, clients often ask “what exactly do I need to screen for?”. The answer? It depends! It depends on what position you are looking to fill and what your job description requires. It is wise, and cost effective, to fit the Background check to your open position. This means covering only what is necessary in your screening process.” excerpt from “Why You need to fit the Background Check to the Job”!

That is why it is vital that before you need to hire you take the time to get your job descriptions in place first.

You will need to determine the education or training it will take to do the job and if prior experience is required. You will also have to outline the job’s responsibilities and duties.

Learn more about how to write the best Job Description for your Small Business and Why it is so important in Part 1 and Part 2 of  “Job Descriptions ~ How to Write One & Why it is Important to Do it Right”!

Knowing this information beforehand will help you be compliant with background check best practices and help you find the right person for the job!

Know what Rules Apply to Your Background Checks
Rules governing background checks have undergone major changes in the past few years, and this evolution is most likely to continue. Keeping up with these new guidelines can seem like a daunting task. But ignoring them can end up costing you and your company.

Your best practice is to be proactive and know exactly how to use employment background checks safely in your small business. 

Now is the time to make sure that your hiring practices are not violating EEOC guidelines, especially those concerning background check releases and disclosure forms.

4 Most Common Background Check Release Violations:
  1. You (the Employer) don't Disclose that a Background Check will be Obtained
  2. You don't obtain a Signed Authorization from your Applicants
  3. Your Authorization Form is Not a Stand-Alone Document
  4. Your Authorization Form includes a Release from Liability

Find out more about what you can do to protect your business from violating employment background check guidelines in “Tips to Help Your Business Fly Under the EEOC Radar”.

5 Things You need to Know before You Hire! "Tweet This"!
5 Things You Need to Know Before You Hire!

Don’t Hire before doing a Background Check
“When it comes time to hire, many small businesses make the biggest mistake they can make ~ They Skip the Background Check!

Instead of approaching hiring with caution, they think that simply because they are a small business, screening their applicants before hiring them isn’t necessary. Maybe they are hiring people they know…..Maybe they think they can’t spare any additional money checking into their applicants’ pasts. Or they might think that they should take anyone just to lessen their work load. Still there are others who believe they have a good ‘sixth sense’ when it comes to people. They think they will ‘just know’ if someone will be a good fit. And, after all, their resume just looks so impressive. They couldn’t be more wrong!”, excerpt from “If You are not Doing Background Checks on Your New Hires, You are Making the Biggest Mistake Your Small Business can Make”!

Hiring for your Small Business should be done carefully. There are very real consequences to making a bad hire. You need to remember that your employees are a reflection of your business, and that is even more so in a Small Business. If you end up hiring someone who steals from you or is a danger to your customers or your other employees, then it is much harder for you, as a Small Business, to recover and your reputation will suffer.

Your best defense is to do a good Background Check each and every time you hire. This will set an important precedent and show that you take your business seriously. The key is being consistent. Don’t pick and choose who to screen. Screening all your chosen applicants will help you hire the right candidate and protect your company against discriminatory hiring claims.

Understand the Steps You need to take when your Background Check uncovers a “Red Flag”
There is bound to come a time when your employment background check uncovers a “red flag”.

It might be a degree or an employment that cannot be verified. It may even be a criminal history. But no matter what the case, simply dismissing the applicant may not be in your best interest.

This is when it is time to use Individualized Assessments.
“Individualized Assessments are used when the background check on your applicant uncovers a “red flag” or a criminal past that may keep you from hiring them. And when this happens, there are specific steps you must follow to be compliant with EEOC guidelines”.

These steps involve:
  • Informing your applicant, in writing, of the background check findings
  • Giving them a chance to explain or mitigate the findings
  • Assessing any additional information before making a final hiring decision
It is important that you consider any information your applicant provides to explain, mitigate, or refute those findings before deciding whether to hire them or remove them from consideration.

Discover more about the steps you need to take during an Individualized Assessment in “Individual Assessments ~ What They are and Why You need to use them in Your Small Business!”.

You can also learn more about best practices when it comes to your Employment Background Checks here!

Partner with a Good Background Check Company ~ It is simply Good Business    
A professional background check company will help you navigate these ever changing screening waters. They will keep you current with new guidelines and help you understand what information you can use and why to make your new hire.

“Outsourcing your background check needs to a professional is your best bet. Their experience and knowledge will actually save you time and money, letting you focus on other important aspects of your business”. 

5 Smart Reasons to use a professional Background Check Company ~
  1. Their Knowledge and Experience 
  2. They will stay Updated on Compliance Issues 
  3. They are practiced in Protecting your Applicant’s Personal Information 
  4. They act as a Barrier against Discrimination Lawsuits 
  5. They will Save  You Time and Money

Learn more about the benefits of partnering with a good Background Check company in “5 Smart Reasons to Outsource Your Background Checks”!

Your hiring practices will undoubtedly continue to evolve and grow as your needs change . Having sound policies in place now, and the flexibility to to update them in the future, is simply good business. Keeping these 5 Tips in mind will help. Is your Small Business ready? 

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Contact Us Today! API will help You Hire the best Candidate for your Small Business!


Sunday, January 5, 2020

Our Top 5 Small Business Articles of 2019!


2019 is in in the books!
At Access Profiles we, like all of you, have had to deal with changes throughout this past year. Changes that impact how we run our small business and changes on how we seek to improve it.

But one thing has remained constant ~ our focus on helping you, our clients and readers, navigate the changes that directly effect your employment and hiring practices.

So, in order to to close out the old and welcome in the new, we are once again sharing our Top 5 Small Business Articles as determined by you, our readers. These articles are the ones that got the most “likes”, shares, and comments.

Thank You!

Number one on our list was “The Top 5 Hiring & Background Check Trends and Guidelines You need to Follow Now”.

The purpose of this article was simple…..to make sure you know what you need to know about the laws and guidelines that can impact your hiring process.

“Keeping informed of any new and emerging laws and guidelines is important in ensuring that your hiring and employment screening practices are working for and not against you”.

Understanding these trends and guidelines will:

  • help you make any necessary adjustments to your hiring procedures
  • help you comply with current and upcoming screening laws
  • help you attract the quality new hires you need

We also shared the steps you need to take now to comply with these laws and guidelines. 

You should:

  • Follow FCRA guidelines covering Employment Background Check release forms
  • Protect your clients personal information (PII)
  • Stop asking for salary history
  • Take steps to make your company attractive to job seekers
  • Consider hiring ex-offenders

Find out why taking these steps is so important to your company and hiring process here.

“Who” to Hire is just as important as knowing “How” to Hire for your Small Business. 

The next article to hit our “Top 5” focused on just that.

In “The “Soft” Skills You need to look for in Your New Hires!”, we shared how sometimes hiring for the “intangibles” makes sense. “Soft” Skills falls under this category.


“People that possess good “Soft” skills are able to work with and lead others. They are creative problem solvers and are often inherently likable ~ all of which make for valuable employees. 

When you are looking for a new hire, many of your applicants will have the technical “hard” skills needed to do the job. But those that also possess those coveted soft skills are the ones you really need to consider!

Even candidates that may not have every qualification you desire can be great new hires, if they possess those soft skill traits that are hard to teach”. 

The “soft skills” you should look for are:

  • A good work ethic
  • Leadership skills
  • Team player
  • Effective communicator
  • Resourceful problem solver
  • Good time manager
  • Willingness to learn
  • LIKABILITY

Hiring with these skills in mind is even more important for small businesses. Find out why here!

Our final “Top 5” article on hiring really struck a chord, “Should You Hire Family and Friends for Your Small Business?”.
This article resonated with many because it is common for businesses, especially small businesses, to hire family or people they know.

Hiring family and friends for your business would seem to make sense. You think you know the person and that they would have you and your companies best interests at heart.

But it is still smart to consider a few things first! Are they qualified to do the job? If not, are they able to learn quickly enough to do the job? And, even though you think you "know" them, don’t forget the background check!

Discover the pros and cons of hiring family or friends in your business here!


This next top article, “Isn’t a Background Check just a Way to Breach Your Privacy?”, really highlighted one of the greatest fears that job seekers have about the employment background check ~ the protection of their personal information.

Job applicants are wary about the kinds of information they are required to give employers and potential employers. They worry about who will see it and who could steal it. Easing these fears should be the goal of any good employer.

That is why companies must put sound policies in place to protect their applicant’s, and even their existing employee’s, personal information and be completely open and above board when it comes to background checks. 

Learn the steps you need to take to accomplish these goals here.

Rounding out our “Top 5” is “Questions You need to ask before Doing Business with any Business!”.
“Whether we ourselves own a business and are contemplating taking on a partner or we are look for someone to work in our home, doing our homework first makes good sense”!


Key is knowing what to look for when we do our due diligence. We need to know the questions we need answered and why those answers are important to making a good decision as to whether or not we should work with a company.

You should:

  • know what others say about them (check references)
  • check with the BBB
  • check for any civil or criminal court records
  • look at online reviews

Knowing as much as possible about any company you are thinking of working with helps minimize risk, protects your company or your family, and keeps you from wasting time and money.

Learn more about how to check out any company here!

This concludes our “Top 5 Articles of 2019”!. We look forward to sharing more information about Hiring and Background Checks to help you and your small business in 2020.

If you have any specific topics you would like covered, please let us know!

Thanks again for supporting our blog and small business. We couldn’t do it without you!

Authored by  


Check out our site for more information on Hiring and Background Checks and our Small Business Mentoring and Security Consulting services.

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