It also assumes that the search is conducted in the venue where the records are on file. Reference checks are equally untrustworthy. A previous employer may not know or tell the truth about an applicant's honesty. If a person thinks honestly, he or she is less likely to steal than the person who thinks like a thief. These screening methods attempt to predict future performance based on past history or on attitude.
People have a difficult time changing who they are and the things they do.
Yet changes do occur in peoples lives. For this reason the better you know the person, the more likely you are to make a correct hiring decision. A striking example involved a young lady who applied for a position at a department store for the Christmas season. She passed honesty and background checks, which included polygraph and drug screening. In the spring, she came to our office when applying for a position as teller with a local bank.