The hiring process typically begins with a Curriculum Vitae (CV), an important document that can often be flawed. Whilst its purpose is to showcase a candidate’s skills and experience, a staggering 80% of CVs contain some level of inaccuracy. These range from minor spelling errors to serious misrepresentations such as inflated job titles, falsified qualifications or unearned accreditations.
It is often said that people are an organisation’s greatest asset, but that depends entirely on hiring the right people. We recommend a CV is treated as a marketing tool for candidates, not a legally verified account of someone’s career history. So, how do you verify that what’s reported is accurate?
Building Trust Through Comprehensive Background Checks
At Security & Vetting Solutions, we provide tailored packages containing a range of checks designed to give you peace of mind, ensure compliance and protect your brand. Below are the key background checks every employer should consider when making hiring decisions.
Identity Verification
Verifying a candidate’s identity is a critical first step in the screening process, forming the foundation for all subsequent background checks. Identity can be verified either manually or digitally.
Manual checks require viewing original identification documents in person, which makes it more difficult to detect forgeries. Birth certificates, in particular, are among the most commonly falsified documents, largely because they lack photographs or biometric data.
Digital identity verification offers a more secure, efficient and flexible alternative. It can be completed remotely, directly by the candidate from virtually anywhere. This eliminates the need for in-person meetings. The advanced technology behind digital ID verification is highly effective at detecting fraudulent documents, making the process both faster and more reliable.
Right to Work Checks
Right to Work verification confirms a candidate’s legal authorisation to work in the UK. This check not only helps ensure compliance with immigration laws but also reduces the risk of employing individuals illegally. Integrating digital identity verification into the Right to Work check adds an extra layer of security and convenience, helping you meet compliance standards more efficiently.
Criminal Record Checks
There are three levels of DBS checks in the UK:
Basic: This level of check reveals an individual’s unspent criminal convictions. A fundamental check suitable for any role and available to everyone.
Standard: Includes both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings. This level of check is suitable for roles involving a higher degree of responsibility or trust, such as positions in legal or financial sectors.
Enhanced: The most in-depth level, which includes everything in the standard check plus any relevant information held by the police. Enhanced checks are strictly reserved for roles involving work with vulnerable children or adults, such as roles in schools, care homes or healthcare settings.
A common misconception is that an enhanced DBS check is the most comprehensive screening method. In reality, eligibility for such checks is role-specific and determined by legal criteria outlined in the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 and the Police Act 1997.
Learn more: The Different Types of Criminal Record Checks
For most entry- to mid-level roles, a combination of identity verification, Right to Work, and a basic criminal record check is sufficient to meet compliance standards.
Financial Background Checks
For positions involving financial responsibility such as budgeting, procurement or cash handling a financial probity check is essential. This check includes:
- County Court Judgements (CCJs) – Legal orders for unpaid debts
- Individual Voluntary Arrangements (IVAs) – Formal debt repayment agreements
- Bankruptcies – Legal declaration of insolvency
Understanding a candidate’s financial background can help mitigate risks such as fraud, theft or poor financial decision-making.
Career History Checks
For senior or client-facing roles where experience and performance are critical, career history verification is key. Conducting at least two employment reference checks, including reasons for leaving (subject to HR policy), will provide deeper insight into the candidate’s previous roles and professional behaviour.
Social Media Screening
A social media check is ideal for gaining insight into who you are employing, especially for positions where negative views could pose a threat to an organisation’s reputation. With almost everyone having an online presence, you must understand what your employees are putting out there. A social media check will highlight any concerning or inappropriate online content (e.g., illegal activities, extremist views, substance misuse, etc.) that may conflict with your organisation’s values and damage its reputation.
As best practice, it’s recommended to conduct social media checks for all potential and existing employees to protect your brand and uphold organisational values.
International Background Checks
In today’s global talent market, hiring internationally is more common than ever. Whether you’re recruiting remote workers, relocating candidates or building a global workforce, international vetting is essential to making confident, compliant hiring decisions across borders.
Each country has unique privacy laws, data access limitations and screening eligibility criteria. That’s why our vetting experts manage the complexity on your behalf, ensuring full compliance with GDPR and local regulations.
As best practice, it’s recommended to conduct international checks for any candidate who has lived outside of the UK for 6 months or more.
Need Something Unique?
At Security & Vetting Solutions, we understand that no two organisations are the same. That’s why our employment screening packages are fully customisable with additional checks or modifications to meet your specific hiring needs.
Complete Your Hiring Strategy with Expert Screening
The cost of a bad hire extends well beyond the initial recruitment spend. It can lead to compliance failures, financial loss, reputational damage and even legal issues. That’s why conducting the right background checks is not just best practice, it’s an essential step.
At Security & Vetting Solutions, we take the complexity out of employment screening. Our fully customisable packages are designed to support your unique business needs, whether you’re hiring locally or internationally. From basic identity checks to advanced vetting, we give you the tools to make informed and confident hiring decisions.
Ready to Hire with Confidence?
See our list of screening services
Get in touch with our team of experts:
enquiries@security-vetting.co.uk
+44 (0)1962 600 110