In today’s “microwave society” the need for speed often supersedes thoroughness, but in the absence of comprehensive background checks on prospective employees, haste can result in waste…and sometimes worse. Gone are the days when the hiring process was based on a good “gut” feeling and a firm handshake, yet there remain a fair number of otherwise very savvy business people who take the self-service approach to background screening. Without question, the Internet has made the screening process somewhat simple and inexpensive, but without knowing what to look for and where to find it, information can be confusing and/or misleading.

The biggest skill set gaps in the security industry are business acumen, strategic capabilities and an entrepreneurial mindset, according to Kathy Lavinder, owner of Security & Investigative Placement Consultants and a well-known recruiter in the security industry.