Types of HR Screenings: What You Need to Know Before Hiring

Pre-employment polygraph screening can be considered as an additional step when reviewing a job candidate. It focuses on specific, agreed questions related to the role or a defined workplace concern. A polygraph does not establish a candidate’s general honesty or predict future conduct.

What pre-employment polygraph screening may cover

The questions should relate to the position and the employer’s stated purpose. Depending on the role, topics may include:

  • specific discrepancies in the candidate’s employment history or application;
  • past workplace incidents relevant to the duties of the position;
  • unauthorized sharing of confidential business information;
  • a defined conflict of interest related to the role;
  • details of a specific incident the employer needs to clarify.

For example, questions for a role handling sensitive company information may differ from questions for a position involving cash or inventory. Keep the scope clear. Broad questions about personality or predictions about future behaviour do not establish what a candidate will do at work.

How to prepare for a candidate check

First, define the purpose of the screening. Next, identify the job-related facts that need clarification. Then discuss the wording and procedure with the polygraph examiner and explain them to the candidate before testing. Clear questions help keep the assessment focused on the stated concern.

Health questions and other sensitive personal topics should not be treated as routine screening subjects. A polygraph is not a medical assessment. It also does not replace interviews, reference checks, document review, or other appropriate hiring steps.

Understand the limits of a polygraph

A polygraph records physiological responses during questioning. Those responses do not provide automatic proof that an answer is true or false. The National Research Council found that evidence on polygraph accuracy for employee and pre-employment screening is limited. Therefore, do not treat a test result as a guarantee or the sole basis for a hiring decision.

Poligraf provides personnel screening services. Review the service information or use the contact page to discuss the purpose, questions, timing, and cost of a candidate check.

For an independent overview, read the National Academies’ report on polygraph accuracy and employment screening.