Tips for employers looking to run a background check

While it's exciting to hire a new employee, it can be a time consuming process to find the right candidate for the position. While the economy is improving, jobs are still scarce in some areas, which means most small businesses will sift through hundreds of applicants to fill one position.

As an employer, you'll review the applicants, conduct interviews and check references. These days' companies are doing some online research as well, investigating social media sites and the online reputation of an applicant. While all of these tools can help you narrow down your applicant pool, you'll also want to conduct a thorough background check.

Here's a look at why a background check is needed and few tips to get the most out of the process:

The reasons to conduct a background check

If you're looking to hire a new employee you'll want to do a background check. Some companies are more stringent than others, but just about every company takes a look at a future employee's past.

The Small Business Administration advises every employer to conduct a background check, mainly because your company can be liable for an employee's behavior if there was a history of criminal activity. Plus, the background check gives an employer a look at behavior and character.

Use a company or run a check for free

When you're ready to run a background check, there are plenty of companies that can assist you. Or you can learn how to run a totally free background check online. Either way works. It's up to your company to decide which avenue works best.

The information you'll get

As an employer, you'll get a variety of information. Depending on how rigorous the check is. Anything from verifying the applicant's social security number to arrests and court proceedings can come up on a background check. Some checks will look at driving records, medical reports - even property ownership. It's all an effort to give you a complete look at the applicant's past.

Have a plan in place to handle surprises

If you find out that an applicant has a criminal past, it's best to talk with him or her about it. If you have a plan in place when these red flags pop up, you'll be able to get the answers you need to make an informed decision.

"We always reach out to the candidate for their explanation and document the conversation. Typically, there is more to the story than what the background check reveals," Michelle D. Roccia, a senior vice president at Winter Wyman, a Massachusetts-based staffing firm, tells the Huffington Post.

Be consistent

Every applicant should be subjected to the same background check.

A Forbes article offers this advice: "Two applicants applying for the same job should have the same searches and investigations run on them. Different job types may require different levels of investigation, but for the same job title, make sure you keep your process uniform to avoid charges of discrimination."