Candidate Assessment

Many job seekers have long suspected their online employment applications disappear into a black hole, never to be seen again. Their fears may not be far off the mark, as more companies rely on technology to winnow out less-qualified candidates.
photo courtesy of ToobyDoo

Does it pay to recruit from -- or even go to -- a prestigious university? There have been a number of studies that follow the careers of students who attended elite universities and those who just missed the criteria for admission.

With more Americans living and working outside the United States than ever before (5.08 million, according to the U.S. State Department), it’s becoming increasingly likely that new hires for companies in the U.S. will have spent some portion of their lives abroad. Candidates with international work or school experience can bring a worldview that more domestically focused applicants lack, making them attractive hires in an increasingly global economy.

Unfortunately, screening the international portion of an applicant’s work or other activities is fraught with peril. Strict privacy laws, poor integration among law enforcement, and other problems make screening complicated and difficult. Yet, failing to screen or adequately screen this portion of a candidate’s life can expose companies to significant risk. Fortunately, employers that address, rather than evade, this problem can position themselves to screen and hire these candidates safely, efficiently, and effectively.