Did you know that one in 11 people has lied about their degree qualification in the last year? Education verification can help you ensure the candidates you're hiring are qualified, and knowing how to conduct an education background check is essential. Directly contacting educational institutions is one effective way to confirm if someone has earned a degree, ensuring the accuracy of the educational qualifications.
The process of verifying educational credentials can help prevent costly hiring mistakes. By checking degrees and other qualifications, you can ensure that job applications reflect genuine qualifications. This not only helps in identifying truthful candidates but also maintains the integrity of your hiring process.
Educational verification involves several methods, including using official verification services or contacting schools directly. This ensures that an organisation's hiring process is trustworthy and reliable, helping you make an informed decision. Additionally, understanding the steps in this process can save time and resources, ultimately leading to better hiring choices.
Key takeaways
- Verify degrees by contacting educational institutions directly.
- Checking qualifications helps you verify the information on candidates' job applications.
- Educational verification supports informed hiring decisions.
Understanding education verification
Education verification ensures that the candidates possess the academic degrees and qualifications they claim to have. This not only helps employers make informed decisions but also maintains the integrity in the job market by filtering out false education credentials.
The Importance of education background checks
Education background checks are an essential tool in the employee screening process. They confirm the authenticity of degrees and educational achievements, safeguarding employers from hiring individuals with false education credentials. These checks are key in a competitive job market where qualification verifications can make a significant difference.
Some roles require highly educated individuals, and those who don't have the required qualifications may put customers or patients at risk. This includes medical roles like doctors, nurses and surgeons, psychologists or physical health roles like physiotherapist or personal trainer. By conducting thorough education background checks, employers can ensure they are hiring qualified individuals who meet specific job requirements.
Types of education checks
There are several types of background checks related to education. Pre-employment background checks may include credential verification for academic degrees and professional qualifications. These checks are often performed by a background check company like RecRef, who uses a comprehensive background screening process. International education background checks can also be conducted to verify qualifications obtained outside the country, ensuring global consistency. We use various advanced background check toolsets to verify these credentials effectively.
Degree and qualification verification
Degree and qualification verification involves confirming the educational experience and history of a candidate. Third-party background check services might contact educational institutions to verify school diplomas and academic degrees. This step checks the authenticity of the qualifications listed, including any claims of honours, grades or specific credential titles. Ensuring accurate qualification verifications helps in recognising the candidates’ true educational achievements without falling prey to fraudulent degrees.
Spotting diploma mills and fraudulent credentials
Some unaccredited institutions known as diploma mills offer fake degrees that lack credibility and educational merit. By recognising abundant diploma mills and fraudulent qualifications, employers can avoid making costly hiring mistakes. It's important to use advanced methods in the education verification process, like those at RecRef, to ensure the credentials are legitimate and valid.
Conducting education background checks
When verifying educational claims, you must follow a structured approach. This involves understanding the verification process for domestic and international qualifications, as well as ensuring compliance with legal regulations.
The process for employers
In education verification background checks, employers often begin by gathering the necessary documents from a prospective employee. This could include diplomas or transcripts. Contacting the educational institutions directly or employing third-party background screening providers like RecRef is common. We ensure that the degree programme details are verified accurately.
Consistency in this process can avoid issues related to negligent hiring claims and help identify suitable candidates.
Verifying domestic and international qualifications
When verifying international education background checks, the process can become complex due to varied educational systems. You may need to rely on specialised services to interpret and verify these qualifications accurately. When verifying and assessing international qualifications, compare them to local standards. This ensures that the job candidate meets the required educational qualifications. Accurate verification of both domestic and international qualifications ensures hiring managers select qualified candidates who will contribute effectively to their roles.
Legal considerations and compliance
Background check providers like RecRef have many processes in place to ensure we adhere to legal regulations and industry standards. We're compliant with the legal requirements regarding data handling and privacy. Consulting legal advice is recommended to stay informed about background screening regulations. Proper compliance with these regulations not only protects your company from legal issues but also fosters a fair and transparent hiring process.
Frequently asked questions
Checking educational backgrounds often involves various verification methods. Employers typically verify academic details, and individuals can also conduct self-checks on their education history.
What methods do employers utilise to verify academic qualifications?
Employers can contact educational institutions directly to confirm dates of attendance and degree information. Some use third-party verification services, which dramatically streamlines the process. These methods help ensure candidates have the qualifications they claim.
What steps are involved in conducting a self-educational background check?
To conduct a self-educational background check, gather your academic records and contact your schools to verify details. You can request copies of transcripts or certificates to confirm your information. This helps prepare you for potential employer checks and ensures accuracy in your applications.
Can employers legally obtain the classification of someone's degree, and if so, how?
Yes, employers can legally obtain degree classifications. They typically get this information from the university or via third-party services.
When do companies typically confirm educational credentials during hiring?
Companies often confirm educational credentials during the initial hiring process, especially for roles requiring specific qualifications. This may vary based on industry standards, the position’s requirements and company policy. Regular checks help maintain workforce integrity and ensure you're hiring people who are right for the role.
