How exactly is education verified by background check companies?

In today’s competitive job market, ensuring the authenticity of a candidate's educational background is crucial for employers. Background check companies play a pivotal role in this process by conducting thorough employment education verifications. But how exactly do they do it? Let's explore the steps involved in education verification by these companies.

1. Obtaining Candidate Consent

The first step in any background check process is obtaining written consent from the candidate. This is a legal requirement and ensures that the candidate is aware that their educational history will be scrutinized.

2. Gathering Information

The background check company collects detailed information from the candidate. This typically includes the names of institutions attended, dates of attendance, degrees or certifications earned, and any honors received.

3. Direct Verification

Background check companies then reach out directly to the educational institutions listed by the candidate. This contact can be made via various methods:

Phone Calls: A representative from the background check company may call the registrar’s office or the relevant department to confirm the candidate's credentials.

Emails: Some institutions prefer written communication and may require a formal request sent via email.

Online Databases: Many institutions and verification services maintain online databases where degrees can be verified. These databases are particularly useful for large universities and colleges.

4. Third-Party Services

In some cases, background check companies use third-party verification services. These services specialize in education verification and often have pre-existing relationships with educational institutions, making the verification process quicker and more reliable.

5. Document Verification

If the direct methods are not sufficient, companies may request official transcripts or degree certificates from the candidate. These documents are then scrutinized for authenticity by experts.

6. Cross-Referencing with Public Records

Background check companies may also cross-reference the provided educational information with public records. For instance, many countries have public registries of graduates from recognized institutions.

7. Reporting

Once the verification process is complete, the background check company compiles a detailed report outlining the findings. This report includes confirmation of the degrees earned, the dates of attendance, and any discrepancies found between the candidate’s claims and the information provided by the institutions.

8. Notifying the Employer

The final step is notifying the employer of the results. If any discrepancies are found, the employer can then decide the best course of action, whether it's further investigation or reevaluation of the candidate’s application.

Conclusion

Education verification is a meticulous process that involves direct communication with educational institutions, the use of third-party services, and careful scrutiny of documents. This thorough approach ensures that employers can trust the educational qualifications of their prospective employees, ultimately contributing to a more reliable and competent workforce.