Hiring the wrong person can be a costly mistake for any company, especially in the tech industry. A comprehensive background check website is crucial for IT companies to avoid expensive bad hires. According to a CareerBuilder study, 74% of employers have made bad hires, costing an average of $14,900 annually or 50% to 213% of the annual salary cost per employee. For software developers with access to sensitive data and intellectual property, these costs can be even higher.

A reliable background check website can help prevent costly hiring mistakes by providing access to public records, criminal history information, and credit reports. Here are some reasons why bad hires can be particularly detrimental to software development teams:

• • Lack of necessary skills or experience, leading to decreased productivity and increased costs
• • Potential for damaging mistakes, such as security breaches that could expose company data
• • Early departure, resulting in additional recruitment and training expenses

To mitigate these risks, it's essential for IT companies to utilize a reputable background check website for thorough screening of potential employees. In this post, we'll explore the importance of background checks when hiring software developers and provide a curated list of the best background check websites for screening remote software developers in South America

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Why is important to verify candidates for software engineering positions?

When it comes to hiring software developers, conducting thorough employee background checks is a non-negotiable step. These IT professionals handle sensitive information and data that could cause severe damage if compromised, making a comprehensive screening solution essential. Moreover, their specialized skills and qualifications necessitate rigorous verification to ensure they possess the expertise they claim.

This is particularly critical for remote software developers, who may be challenging to vet without a well-defined procedure or reliable background check provider. By verifying a candidate's background, including their criminal record, you can ensure they have the necessary expertise and clean track record to contribute positively to your company's success. A robust screening process helps mitigate risks and safeguards your organization's interests.

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The Legal and Ethical Considerations of Background Checks

It's crucial to understand that personal background checks are subject to various state laws. Some states restrict when employers can conduct credit checks or inquire about a candidate's criminal history during the hiring process. To ensure compliance and avoid legal issues, it's advisable to make job offers contingent upon a successful background check report.

When implementing a screening solution, companies must adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) regulations. This law mandates that candidates be informed about the background check and provide written consent before it takes place. This step not only ensures legal compliance but can also help identify candidates who may be aware that a background check would disqualify them.

While social media screening may seem like an attractive option for gathering additional information, it carries potential risks. Employers should exercise caution when using personal information from social media platforms, as screening based on data protected by state and national laws can lead to legal consequences. A comprehensive screening solution should focus on verified sources and official background check reports to ensure a fair and legal hiring process.

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The Reality of Background Check Timelines

It's crucial to understand that employee background checks typically take less time than many assume. While some believe background checks can take up to two weeks, the reality is that employment screening can often be completed in less than five business days. In fact, the average completion time for an online background check is between 24 and 72 business hours. This efficiency in obtaining background check results is vital, as prolonged screening processes increase the risk of losing qualified candidates due to delays in verification.

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Best Providers for Background Checks in South America

When searching for the best providers of background checks in South America, it's crucial to consider several factors, including the provider's experience, reputation, and cost. Some of the top options in the region are HireRight, Checkr, Global Backgrounds, Truecheck by Truora, and XtdForce by First Advantage.

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HireRight

HireRight offers comprehensive employee background check solutions with customizable screening packages tailored to various industries, including IT. Their advanced background check resources and expertise can assist in making informed hiring decisions for engineers, developers, IT analysts, network admins, and help desk support staff. HireRight's extensive range of screening services includes thorough employment verification, education validation, qualification checks, and license confirmations. Furthermore, they provide criminal background checks and alcohol and drug screening services to ensure a complete vetting process. With a global reach spanning more than 200 countries and territories, HireRight stands out as a reliable partner for international background checks and employment verification needs.‍

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Checkr

Checkr is a leading provider of comprehensive background reports and pre-employment screening services, catering to various industries, including Technology. Their global record checks platform covers over 200+ countries, offering thorough background investigations starting at $79.99 per screening process. This includes crucial verifications such as education and employment history. Checkr's advanced API integration capabilities allow seamless connection with any HR solution, whether commercial or custom-built, enhancing control and streamlining information management for efficient hiring decisions.‍

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Global Backgrounds

Global Backgrounds offers a comprehensive suite of background report services with both domestic and international coverage. Their resource center provides extensive information on various screening options, including civil records (local level), criminal record checks (local level), federal criminal records, education verification, and employment verification. Global Backgrounds extends its services across more than 250 territories and countries, ensuring thorough international background checks. Due to the variability in local regulations and requirements, prices, specific documentation needs, and delivery times differ by country. To obtain an accurate quotation for the candidate's country of residence, interested parties need to submit a request through their website's dedicated portal.‍

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Truecheck by Truora

Truora is a Latin American startup specializing in innovative fraud prevention technologies for user validation and KYC processes. Their Truecheck service offers comprehensive background screening, including criminal history records and credit report checks. By simply submitting a picture of a national ID, users can access identity verification, criminal background checks, legal background checks, and international checks. This efficient background screening solution is competitively priced, starting at $39.99 monthly for up to 10 background checks, making it an excellent option for companies seeking thorough yet cost-effective screening processes.‍

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XtdForce by First Advantage: Comprehensive Background Check Service

First Advantage offers industry-specific solutions, with XtdForce designed as a specialized background check site for contractor screening. This robust background check service caters to mid-sized and large IT companies or staffing agencies requiring a dedicated platform for thorough criminal background checks of multiple candidates. XtdForce stands out as a reliable background check website, providing comprehensive screening solutions to ensure safe and informed hiring decisions in the tech industry.

First Advantage offers different solutions by industry, and XtdForce was designed for contractor background checks. It's a solution for mid and large IT companies or staffing agencies with the need to have a specific platform for screening multiple candidates.‍Keep in mind that if you hire through a reputable staffing company, they will likely include background checks as part of the process. By partnering with a reputable provider, companies can ensure they're hiring the right candidates while avoiding legal issues and negative consequences.‍

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GlobalWork

GlobalWork is a Colombian startup leveraging AI to streamline the hiring process and provide comprehensive background check services. They offer their expertise in Colombia, Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica, delivering a range of screening solutions including academic and professional background checks, home visits, and thorough criminal background checks. One of GlobalWork's key advantages is their extensive local presence and coverage across these territories.

In conclusion, conducting thorough background checks, including criminal background checks, is crucial for preventing costly bad hires and safeguarding sensitive company information. If you prefer to avoid the complexities of sourcing and screening candidates, consider partnering with an IT staffing company. These firms typically include comprehensive background check services as part of their offerings, ensuring you hire candidates with clean arrest records and verified credentials.

However, if you wish to conduct criminal background checks independently in Colombia or Ecuador, you can utilize public databases for arrest records and other relevant information. Keep in mind that navigating these sites and interpreting the certificates requires a good command of Spanish. It's important to note that official criminal records sites are not publicly accessible in some other South American countries, which may limit the scope of your background check services in certain regions.

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Colombia official background check sites: 

For instance, in Colombia, the Colombian police run a website where you can obtain a criminal background certification by providing the candidate's ID number. Similarly, another website enables you to obtain a full report for the past five years of criminal, disciplinary, and tax records by entering the ID number. These are some of the documents that civil servants must generate to maintain their positions. Both databases are accessible to Colombian citizens and legal residents.

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Ecuador official background checks sites

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In Ecuador, you can obtain a criminal background certificate via a government-run website by entering the candidate's ID number. This website is open to both citizens and residents. 

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In conclusion, conducting thorough background checks on software developers and contractors in South America is crucial for safeguarding your company's interests. These checks can help prevent costly bad hires and protect sensitive company information. While there are legal considerations and limitations to keep in mind, companies can find reliable providers to help them conduct background checks quickly and efficiently.

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Alternatively, to avoid the hassle of sourcing and hiring candidates, companies can consider hiring through an IT staffing company that includes background checks in its services. BetterWay Devs, for instance, offers a unique model for hiring the right developers and fostering long-term relationships.  We give the recognition your developers deserved by offering a transparent salary negotiation.  By partnering with us, companies can ensure they're hiring the right candidates and avoid legal issues and negative consequences. Schedule a call to learn more

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Paula Tellez

BetterWay Devs Inbound Marketing Manager

https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-tellez/

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Suggested Reading

Building a Nearshore Tech Team: IT Recruiting Insights for South America

Expanding Your Talent Pool: The Advantages of Overseas Remote Tech Recruiting

Best Tools for Technical Assessment of Software Developers

Conducting Effective Technical Interviews for Software Developers in South America

How Software Developer Recruiters Can Help Build Your Candidate Funnel

The Impact of AI in Tech Hiring: Revolutionizing the Recruitment Process

Effective Strategies for Vetting IT Candidates: Ensuring Quality Hiring

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