Background Investigators
The OBIS Background History Questionnaire (OBIS-BHQ) was designed to improve the quality, integrity, and speed of the background investigation process when hiring new police officers or other public safety personnel.
Quality: The OBIS-BHQ was designed using the best available research on predictors of job performance, integrity violations, early termination, and disciplinary actions. Meta-analytic studies have consistently shown that biographical data best predict future job performance. Now, background investigators can obtain critical information on known predictors of future performance.
Integrity: Working closely with background investigators, polygraph examiners, and police psychologists, we have found that candidates frequently hide their problems during the hiring process. They do this through various methods, including minimization to making outright omissions. Asking the right questions is where an effective background investigation starts. The OBIS-BHQ asks candidates high-quality, narrow, and specific questions and then documents their answers in their own words for later follow-up background investigators.
The internet-based OBIS-BHQ makes sharing information among key recruitment team members easier and faster. By comparing candidates’ answers to background investigators, polygraph examiners, and police psychologists for consistency, investigators have an improved chance of detecting deception.
Speed: Giving the OBIS-BHQ early in the hiring process improves the speed and efficiency with which background investigations can be completed. Investigators can hone in on problem areas rather than spend their time simply collecting background information.
Contact us for a free demonstration package.
How It Works
Step 1 – Sign-up
Before you can start using the OBIS system, you need to sign up for an account. You can do this by contacting us here or calling us at 585-424-5680 (9 AM – 5 PM Eastern time).
Step 2 – Purchase BHQ administrations
The free trial comes with 10 free BHQ administrations, so you do not need to purchase anything right away. However, if you decide to continue using OBIS, you can purchase additional BHQ administrations via your account. You can use a check or credit card; just click on the Purchase BHQ’s link in the Administration Menu and follow the PayPal instructions.
Step 3 – Testing an applicant
When you have an applicant you want to test, you need to create a group name and password for that candidate. A group can consist of one or many candidates. Once you have the Group Name and Password, you provide that information to the candidate via email or telephone along with the candidate login URL. The candidate then logs into the site and takes the BHQ from home.
Step 4 – Downloading the Background History Report
As soon as the candidate completes the BHQ, you will receive an email informing you that his/her BHQ Report is ready to download. You can then download the report in PDF format from your OBIS Control Panel. You can also have other recruitment team members, e.g., background investigators, download copies of the report using their usernames and password.
Pricing
- Pricing for OBIS is based on a cost per BHQ administered, which is $25.00 each.
- You pay only once for each BHQ administered.
- You can download as many copies of the BHQ Reports as you want for free.
Sign up for a free trial
We are offering a free trial of OBIS to introduce agencies to it. If you would like a free trial, please contact Applied Psychological Technologies, and we will provide you with everything you need to start.