With the recent corporate scandals of Enron and WorldCom, the popularity and necessity of executive background checks has greatly increased. In order to protect themselves from potential disasters later on, many companies are now requiring extensive investigation on prospective executives to verify their employment and educational history as well as information regarding any past wrongdoings.
As with any other type of pre-employment background investigations, employers need to have the appropriate disclosures available. According to Federal law and the Fair Credit Reporting Act, applicants must sign and date specific disclosures regarding the various types of background checks employers desire. It is important to respect the privacy of potential employees while maintaining the company’s hiring standards.
Although executive-level background checks are becoming increasingly more popular, there may still be some hesitation as to how far to take them. Many high-level executives seem to think of their atmosphere as more of a society, or ‘country-club’ feels. They may not feel comfortable about performing checks on executives and in many cases, do not feel it is necessary. Human Resource managers in the executive level seem to also have some hesitations to conducting extensive background checks. Many of them feel as if their network of peers is enough to get the information they need and may neglect to further investigate a potential employee. The Wall Street Journal suggests that many top-level hiring managers may ignore the reference list provided by the would-be-executive to utilize their own connections in their past companies.
Whatever the reasoning behind conducting background checks, employers need to be aware of the Federal and State laws regarding such investigations. Most reputable investigation firms adhere strictly to these guidelines. Using one of the top firms can save headaches in the future while being sure that the information is fair, accurate and thorough. The employers themselves, however, can obtain some information. Educational references can be verified by contacting the academic institution, work and salary history can be obtained by contacting former employers, and character references can often be sought by contacting various people who know the prospective employee. Regardless of the method used, it is certainly in the company’s best interest to know who is working for them. In the case of top-level management, an executive background check is necessary and vital to the ongoing success of the establishment.
Related Articles
Factoring Financing: How to Grow Your Business Without Debt or Loans
By: annaya rana | 04/03/2008 | Networking
What is factoring?
Accounts receivable financing, also known as factoring, is a powerful financial tool that has fueled the growth and success of a number of companies
Running Your Own Business: the Options
By: gurpreet singh | 10/03/2008 | Networking
Very few people ever got rich by working for someone else. Leaving aside pop musicians, sportsmen and similarly gifted people, the only way to acquire wealth by work is to build a business of your own
The Number One Reason for Business Failure!
By: harjeetkaur | 10/03/2008 | Small Business
The market. Your chances of survival are better if you can answer the following questions with a yes: Is there already a market for your product or service? (It's much easier to fill a need than trying to create an entirely new market.) Can your target market afford to buy your products or services? (If they can't afford it, it doesn't matter how great it is, you won't sell any!) Will your target market perceive your product or service as valuable?
Seven Keys to Get Out of a Rut
By: upinder singh negi2 | 13/03/2008 | Home Business
They say a rut is a shallow grave with two open ends. The good news (good news?!) is that the ends ARE still open, which means if you act fast, you just might out of it. How do we get into these ruts anyway? Who would voluntarily lie down in that grave, shallow or otherwise?
Sales Leads - How to Generate Quality Sales Leads Through Public Speaking
By: Nisha Yadav | 14/03/2008 | Internet Marketing
Delivering speeches, seminars, and webinars (online seminars) is a terrific way to generate large quantities of quality sales leads. Why is public speaking such an effective lead-generating vehicle?
The Importance of Planning
By: Vikram Parmar | 17/03/2008 | Business
Are you planning to start a new business? Or are you considering expanding your current business and require a bank loan or investment from outsiders?
If you are going to look for an investment of capital it is quite likely that you will be required to have a business plan. If you are starting a business, despite the work involved, a business plan can prepare you for the obstacles ahead and help ensure your success.
Money Management for the Work at Home Mom - Auto Recovery
By: Jitender Sharma | 25/03/2008 | Business
One of the most difficult aspects of working at home may very well be the money management. Even if you’re making great money, many people find it difficult to make ends meet when there’s not a weekly paycheck. Consider some of the problems that arise and why the work at home mom may feel that she’s really not making any money at all.
VoIP Vs. Analog
By: Anureet Singh Bhanot | 27/03/2008 | Business
Many people today prefer VoIP to Analog phones. Analog or traditional phones are losing the battle against VoIP when it comes to cost effectiveness, standards, quality, and ease of use.
Latest Business Articles
The Basics of Creating a Filing System That You Can Benefit From Starting Today
By: Tracey Lawton | 19/07/2008
In my brand-new article, I'm going to share with you 7 easy steps for getting your filing system in place. The summertime is generally a quieter time with a more slower pace of business, so use this time to get one of your core office systems in place.
The 9 Things You Will Want to Include in Your Email Newsletters
By: Katrina Sawa | 19/07/2008
You probably get numerous newsletters across your desk each month. How many of those do you really read? I am sure that you scan certain newsletters for valuable information, while you just toss others. Then, of course, there those like mine (chuckle), which you read every last word of.
How to Establish yourself as an Expert
By: Katrina Sawa | 18/07/2008
Establishing yourself as an Expert in your field is a great way to get added exposure, publicity and credibility for you and your business which will ultimately bring you more sales and more money!!
Women Owning the Workplace: Tips to Guide Female Entrepreneurs
By: Melissa Mashtonio | 18/07/2008
Women are taking the business world by storm, and it doesn't look like they're backing down. According the Womenentrepreneur.com, women-owned firms are the fastest growing in the country. Women are looking beyond the traditional roles and moving ahead to a new role: entrepreneur. This does not necessarily mean women are...
Getting Ahead in the Construction Industry
By: Duncan Freer | 18/07/2008
With new regeneration and Government housing targets, the construction industry is facing the toughest challenges yet. With new projects in commercial and residential developments, growing pressures for sustainable and low impact development and the need for low cost housing, better and faster results are being expected from everyone involved in...
Getting Ahead In The Rail Industry
By: Duncan Freer | 18/07/2008
The rail industry is a greener alternative for travel than any other method at the moment, and as a result is beginning to see an increase in investment and public interest. With the Government and business regulators placing such a huge emphasis on offsetting personal and private carbon emissions it...
Getting Ahead in the Utilities Industry
By: Duncan Freer | 18/07/2008
The Utilities industry is currently facing rapid change and is having to adapt to the many new demands made on it by existing and potential customers. Once dominated by state-run monopolies, the utilities sector of the twenty first century is shifting to respond to emerging competitors who are increasingly savvy...
Recessions Require Leadership From the Core!
By: Axel Meierhoefer | 18/07/2008
When things are going tough, leaders need to step up and deliver more than every. LEading fomr the core is what we need to succeed
More from Dolly Kapil
7 No Cost Tips to Market Your Business
By: Dolly Kapil | 29/03/2008 | Online Business
Marketing a business can be fun, exciting and creative. It can also be very frustrating and expensive if one doesn’t know what outcome they are looking for or how to evaluate cost effective methods of marketing.
Auto Insurance Rates
By: Dolly Kapil | 29/03/2008 | Online Business
Will vary depending on the insurance agency, you’re driving record, and the type of insurance you are looking to purchase. I you are looking for affordable car insurance or truck insurance then read on.
The Key to Increasing Your Customer Base: Accept Credit Cards
By: Dolly Kapil | 29/03/2008 | Business
Here is a tactic you should heed for your online businesses… accept credit cards. Whether you’re selling digital products or tangible goods through online channels, your business should be able to accept credit cards to ensure the widest customer base possible. The importance of the ability to accept credit cards cannot be denied. Being able to accept credit cards makes your online business more accessible to a greater number of potential clients and customers.
Advertising on a Budget -- Using Print to Drive Traffic Online
By: Dolly Kapil | 29/03/2008 | Home Business
I decided to try something a little different and illustrate the marketing challenges of a small business. I'm using one of my clients, PrescottWeddings.com.
PWC is an online resource guide for couples planning their weddings. Along with a ton of information for brides and grooms, the site includes a resource guide where local businesses can advertise their products and services.
Advertising Methods: Understanding & Implementing Key
By: Dolly Kapil | 29/03/2008 | Online Business
Being the Public Relations' Director for a major, online holistic journal, I often find myself brainstorming new and creative ways of marketing, and making our site not only visitor/client-friendly, but informative and entertaining as well. While we offer a broad array of alternative healing arts' schools, I wanted to explain exactly how successful marketing can lead to maximum, effective exposure.
Moral Armor's Economic Warning for Americans
By: Dolly Kapil | 28/03/2008 | Business
For years we’ve suffered under recession, prompting us to ask, When will it end? My answer is, “It’s only the beginning.”
Historically, recessions are the result of high interest rates, pushed up as the result of loose money policies. Recovery comes when citizens begin to spend more wisely, save money and pay off their debts, but not this time
Effectively Completing the Operations Plan Section of Your Business Plan & How to Get Your Contact Details Across: When the Organizers
By: Dolly Kapil | 28/03/2008 | Business
The Operations Plan is a critical component of any business plan as it presents the Company’s action plan for executing its vision. The Operations Plan must detail 1) the processes that are performed to serve customers every day (short-term processes) and 2) the overall business milestones that the company must attain to be successful (long-term processes
7 Ways in Which You Can Overcome Excuses for not Marketing Your Website by Writing Articles
By: Dolly Kapil | 28/03/2008 | Copywriting
Wannabe writers, are full of excuses as to why they aren’t writing yet. Many of these excuses can be changed to proactive statements with a mere switch in attitude and perspective.
How many times have you read an article, and said to yourself, “I could have written this.” Well, why don’t you?
Business 
