For years, pre-employment screenings relied almost exclusively on criminal background investigations. Likewise, investigations for lawsuits, threats, bad behavior, theft, etc., relied significantly on interviews, surveillance, records retrieval, and more. All these methods continue to have utility in modern investigations; however, in some cases these investigation methodologies may be augmented and even replaced with social media/open source investigations.

Social media/open source investigation may provide vast amounts of data on a subject. More importantly, these investigations deliver insight into the character of an individual beyond that obtained from traditional background investigation methods. Whether conducting a pre-employment screening or investigating fraud, social media/open source investigations assist with making connections and discovering information necessary for a complete picture of an individual.

Today, social media/open source investigations serve to augment the pre-employment screening process. Simply stated, information developed from social media pre-employment screenings adds a new dimension to the hiring process. While it might not seem a common practice to conduct a social media/open source pre-employment screening, recent surveys demonstrate that including social media/open source screening in the pre-employment process has become commonplace.

In 2017, Career Builder conducted a survey asking employers if they used social media during the hiring process. Astonishingly, 70% of employers surveyed claimed they utilized social media during the hiring process. While many organizations may handle these investigations internally, they may not have the training, experience, software, and techniques to adequately locate information that may provide insight into the candidate’s suitability for employment.

Social media/open source investigations go beyond pre-employment screening. Investigations involving social media/open source provide details on a subject’s history, relationships/friendships/associations, interests, location, items they own, recent activities, publications, places they frequent, hobbies, finances, and character insights and may provide recent images of the subject. Information gathered from these investigations assist with legal cases, fraud issues, risk assessments, background investigations, security assessments, etc.

Another thing to consider with social media/open source investigations involves the constant changing nature of content. In some cases, a social media/open source investigation may require constant or periodic monitoring. This monitoring provides updated information for a case, a security brief, or risk assessment. INA specializes in these type of monitoring projects for various types of clients from Fortune 100 companies to individuals.

For over 12 years, Information Network Associates (INA) has remained on the forefront of social media/open source investigations. As a result of this more than 12 years’ experience, INA developed the techniques and procedures necessary to generate effective and useful pre-employment screenings and investigations. Our pre-employment screenings are in compliance with all applicable laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Recently, INA made significant changes regarding the manner in which it receives pre-employment background screenings. INA introduced its new background portal in 2019. This portal provides additional functionality to the user. The new portal allows clients various options for inputting, tracking, and receiving notification about pre-employment screenings. Importantly, the addition of an applicant management system allows for seamless integration into an organization’s human resources processes.

Contact INA today for more information.