What is the purpose of using screening tools in a hiring process?

Using screening tools in the hiring process primarily serves the function of evaluating an applicant's potential dishonesty. These tools, which may include background checks, personality assessments, and integrity tests, are designed to provide insights into an applicant's character and reliability. By identifying traits that correlate with honesty and trustworthiness, employers can better predict whether a candidate is likely to engage in dishonest behaviors once employed. This focus on evaluating integrity is particularly crucial in sectors where loss prevention is vital, as dishonest employees can significantly impact an organization's bottom line.

While reducing hiring costs, speeding up the interview process, and identifying top-performing candidates may be additional benefits of using screening tools, they are not the primary purpose. Cost reduction and efficiency may arise as secondary effects of better screening, but the main objective remains centered on assessing candidates' honesty and integrity to mitigate risks associated with mis-hires.