Requirements for background checks in Cameroon

Each of the various types of background checks in Cameroon requires you to provide different information.

Employment history

To perform an employment background check in Cameroon, you must furnish the following information regarding your job candidate:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Former employer's name and contact information
• Dates of employment
• Job title or position
• A hand-signed release or consent form

Educational background

To conduct an educational verification, you must provide the following information for the candidate:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Name of educational institution
• Location of educational institution
• Dates of attendance
• Degree earned
• Major
• Copy of degree
• Signed release or consent form

Medical screening

You must confirm that your job applicant who is applying for a work visa in Cameroon has received a medical examination from a properly accredited physician as well as a valid yellow fever vaccination.

Criminal history

To perform a criminal records search in Cameroon, you must provide the following information about the job applicant:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Full address
• Signed release or consent form

Steps in conducting background checks in Cameroon

When preparing to conduct a background check in Cameroon, you should follow these steps:

1. Determine which types of background checks you must conduct to receive all of the pertinent information you will need to make a decision about employing the job applicant.
2. Obtain the applicant's required consent for each type of background check you plan to conduct.
3. Confirm that the applicant has a valid national identity card, which is required in Cameroon to apply for work, vote, obtain a passport, and apply for a driver's license.
4. Collect all necessary documents, certificates, reports, and information. You may wish to enlist the services of a reputable third-party company specializing in running background checks in Cameroon.
5. Conduct the background check, ensuring you verify all provided details.

Benefits of background checks

When recruiting and hiring workers in Cameroon, there are multiple reasons your company should consider performing background checks on each candidate. Some of the benefits of conducting background checks on potential employees include:

• Hiring only the most qualified candidates with the most stellar track records
• Culling any candidates with serious criminal charges or convictions, thereby improving the safety of your workplace
• Protecting your company from lawsuits, liabilities, and other legal trouble
• Reducing turnover by hiring only the most reliable, well-qualified job seekers
• Avoiding hiring negligent or dishonest applicants who present falsified credentials
• Giving you insight into the morality, trustworthiness, and ethics of your potential employees
• Allowing you to assist the best quality candidates with immigration

Although some companies question the necessity of investing money in performing a comprehensive background check for every job applicant, this procedure can have a significant long-term impact by preventing your company from hiring someone with falsified credentials or qualifications or other troubling issues.

Are employee background checks legal in Cameroon?

In Cameroon, employers are legally allowed to conduct several types of background checks on job candidates without restriction. These include criminal record checks and medical screenings. Some types of background checks, however, may be restricted in Cameroon depending on the circumstances, including address checks and identity checks.

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FAQs

What background checks are asked?

There are a variety of different types of background checks that potential employers in Cameroon can conduct as part of their pre-employment verification process. For example, some commonly run background reports include:

• Employment history verification
• Educational background check
• Medical screening background check
• Criminal record check, police clearance certificate, or criminal history check
• Financial history check
• Personal credit report
• Business credit report
• Social media activity report
• Terrorist/sanctions search
• Professional license verification
• Professional association verification
• Civil records check
• Tax ID verification
• Passport validation
• Right-to-work check

How do I get an international background check?

It is important to maintain legal compliance with all pertinent laws relating to background checks in your job applicant's country of residence. To perform an international background check, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you fulfill the legal requirements. In some countries, some kinds of pre-employment checks may be required by law. It is also important that you verify the job candidate is legally allowed to work in the country where the job is based. Finally, some countries require certain workers to have specific degrees, certificates, or qualifications to perform a particular job.
2. Confirm the candidate's credentials. It is vital that you verify the authenticity of the credentials each job applicant provides in their resume or job application.
3. Prevent crime and protect other people. Undoubtedly, you want to avoid hiring a candidate who could pose a risk to your employees or customers. For this reason, it is important to perform a criminal history check. Hiring someone with a criminal history can lead to your company being liable in the event that the worker commits a similar crime. Also, knowing your job candidate's criminal history can help you avoid hiring someone who could commit theft or other crimes against your company.
4. Hire the best candidates. Performing background checks is a practice used to help you find the most appropriate workers for your team. Background screening can help you choose the best candidate for your open position.

How to get a background check?

Each type of background check in Cameroon can be conducted by request through the appropriate authorities.

• Employment history verifications are performed by contacting the job applicant's former employers directly to verify the provided information.
• Educational verifications can be performed by reaching out to the job applicant's educational institution to verify they have obtained the degrees or certifications they included on their resume or job application.
• Medical screenings consist of the work visa applicant obtaining a medical examination from a properly accredited medical professional, as well as providing proof that they have received a valid yellow fever vaccine.
• Criminal records searches are conducted through the local court based on the jurisdiction of the city provided.

Do all countries do background checks?

Although background screening in Cameroon is a common practice, performing background checks as part of the pre-employment screening process is not common in every country around the world. In those countries where the practice is a typical part of the hiring process, the job candidate's consent is most often required.