During the hiring process, you may come across potential candidates who previously worked as an independent contractor. Or you may want to hire someone solely as an independent contractor, meaning they are not being retained as a full-time employee. In the event that the previous work experience of a potential employee or independent contractor is only from work obtained as an independent contractor, verifying their previous work may feel challenging. Fortunately, there are simple methods to accurately achieve this verification before moving forward with the hiring process.
WHAT IS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR?
Also known as a freelancer, an independent contractor is a self-employed individual who provides goods or services on a contractual basis. There are several pros and cons associated with being an independent contractor. Pros may include a more flexible work schedule as well as no limitations on how much money they can earn. Certain drawbacks include that they are not an employee so they must pay their own social security and Medicare taxes. They also are not eligible to receive certain benefits such as health insurance or an employer-sponsored retirement account.
WHAT IS EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION?
This is the process of confirming the previous work history that a candidate lists on their resume. This will enable you to confirm that they have the necessary experience to handle the responsibilities of the job for with you are hiring them. It will also shed light on situations in which a resume has been padded, exaggerated, or fabricated.
VERIFYING EMPLOYMENT FOR AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR CAN BE COSTLY AND TIME CONSUMING
Employment verification can be tedious as it involves going through a candidate’s resume and contacting each previous employer, or in this instance any previous business who has contracted their services. Most of these businesses rely on third party services already and may refer you to them. An independent contractor may be able to provide proof of previous work through income verification because any contractual job that pays more than $599 from a single entity requires a 1099 form. Obtaining this information on your own also takes time and money that could be better spent on your company.
MAKE APPLYA A PART OF YOUR BACKGROUND SCREENING PROGRAM
The simplest manner to verify employment for an independent contractor is by conducting a background screening using applya’s prequalified vendor marketplace. Through this single platform and service model, we provide comprehensive and fully compliant background screening services including employment verification for independent contractors. You can also customize your services to fit your needs exactly. Learn more by visiting applya.com.