by Jason Morris

Nick Fishman

Chief Marketing Officer, EVP

by Nick Fishman

Okay.  I know in the past we’ve used this blog to admonish many an employer who decided not to perform a background check only for it to backfire in their face in a major way.  This time, I cannot completely fault MIT, one of our nation’s most prestigious universities.  However, the most recent resignation of a trusted dean has now become very public and very embarrassing as reported by Fox News and countless others.

It seems that Marilee Jones, dean of Admissions since 1997 claimed to have degrees from three different universities when she initially applied at MIT in 1978.  At least one school, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has indicated that Jones never earned that degree. 

Why the leniency for MIT?  Let’s be fair, it was a different world in 1978.  There weren’t a whole lot of background checks being done.  So, I’m prepared to let this lapse slide. 

But uh oh! there’s more.  Why didn’t the school perform a check when they promoted her to this pubic and prestigious position in 1997?  Whoops!  Do you think they might care to re-think this decision?  Let’s see, a $10 Education Verification or a Major Public Embarrassment.  You decide.

by Jason Morris

There has been a lot of buzz the past few days about background checks containing mental health information. This would never ‘fly’ for employment screening but it certainly begs the question for gun control.

Mental Health and Guns: Do Background Checks Do Enough?

by Jason Morris

I just found a good article on how to protect yourself against identity theft.

Helpful hits for preventing identity theft

By Jo Bonner

As
technology has advanced so too have the opportunities for thieves who
seek to steal a person’s very identity. Identity theft is a frightening
crime that is becoming more and more common.

When
a person’s identity is stolen, their reputation can be destroyed, their
sense of security shattered, and their life savings completely wiped
out.

Identity thieves can use your
personal information to open credit card accounts in your name, apply
for utilities in your name, borrow money in your name, or even make
major purchases in your name.

More

by Jason Morris

Suspects in ChildNet identity theft were hired despite extensive criminal records

By Brian Haas and Bill Hirschman

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Posted
04/13/07

by Jason Morris

U of M considers background checks after signing accused player!

Showing the world that no one is safe from deceit.

Criminal background checks may one day be part of the recruiting process for freshman athletes at the University of Minnesota after the school signed a football player who had been charged in two armed robberies in the St. Louis area.

"It’s something we’ve debated," said Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi. "I think people are leaning toward going down that path. But I’m a little nervous because we have a situation where we didn’t find anything."

More

by Jason Morris

I have given speaches across the United States and been interviewed in many different mediums.  A hot topic of discussion these days is using social networking sites and blogs for pre-employment screening decisions. 

Here is an interesting take on a new argument.

Web anonymity can sink your job search

Your Web presence can make or break a job application

Considering that a growing number of recruiters and hiring managers are
using search engines when gathering impressions of potential employees,
the question isn’t as frivolous as it may seem.

In a 2006 survey by executive search firm ExecuNet in
Norwalk, Conn., 77 of 100 recruiters said they use search engines to
check out job candidates. In a CareerBuilder.com survey of 1,150 hiring
managers last year, one in four said they use Internet search engines
to research potential employees. One in 10 said they also use social
networking sites to screen candidates. In fact, according to Search
Engine Watch, there are 25 million to 50 million proper-name searches
performed each day. Read More