The Relationship Between A Background Check Company And Big Data Is Simpler Than You Think

Big data refers to massive data sets like employment history and criminal records used by businesses to determine whether to hire you or do business with you. Every application ever filed by anybody has prompted a background check. It’s a fact of life: death, taxes, and big data-backed background checks. However, it’s how companies use copious amounts of consumer information that demands a closer look.

The Brass Tacks Of Big Data And How It Influences Background Checks

On the surface, big data streamlines and exponentially speeds the process of conducting background checks. By plugging in preset parameters to create data algorithms, an organization can sift through mountains of applicant data in minutes. Therefore, big data analytics are incredibly useful throughout our daily lives. Even so, things go haywire when information is wrong or unverified.

In a typical scenario, you might spend hours hand-crafting the perfect resume that could land you a dream job. After tediously checking your masterpiece, you submit it in full confidence. Then, in a moment best described as absolute horror, your hard work is destroyed with a rejection notice.

In a similar debacle, you are denied a bank loan when a background check reveals that your credit file includes various spellings of your name. Red flags raise and sirens wail when your application data doesn’t match the data that a background check company has on record. Approval or rejection is sometimes as simple as a zip code discrepancy.

This brings up the downside of big data and a responsibility to do more than keep information safe. All data should be verified for accuracy, and any erroneous information must either be corrected or deleted from consumer profiles. The bottom line is that big data analytics lack empathy. Moreso, sterile algorithms may unintentionally reinforce discrimination if data patterns driven by big data are the only parameters used to select candidates.

One Simple Step To Take Before Giving Your Information To A Background Check Company

Identity verification is the focus of all background checks. No company will hire you nor consent to do business with you if it cannot verify your identity. Companies need reassurance that you’re not someone who steals credit cards for a living. To avoid that, make sure the following personally-identifying information is accurate and up-to-date:

• Full name and known aliases
• Date of birth
• Social security number
• Driver’s license or government ID
• Residential and business addresses
• Contact Information including phone numbers and emails
• Supplementary metrics such as mother’s maiden name

To help you track down and prevent a potential snafu, consider running a criminal background check on yourself. Request a copy of your driving record and credit report. It won’t hurt to review your social media profiles either!
…

There are lots of myths about some common types of health issues that are circulating around the internet. With so much information at our finger tips all the time, it’s easy to self-diagnose or get caught up in the latest diet fad without knowing the real science behind these health issues. Let us set the facts straight on a few common misconceptions:

Gluten Allergies

This seems to be a big one as of late, mostly because gluten is linked to carbs, and carbs have always been an avoided part of any diet plan. But what’s the real difference between gluten intolerance vs celiac? Celiac is a real disease that is diagnosed by a medical professional. People with celiac have an actual allergy to gluten, which causes them a whole bunch of health problems if eaten. Gluten sensitivity is not a real medical condition as diagnosed by a doctor. A sensitivity is not an allergy. Those with a sensitivity are still able to eat gluten, and they might get a little bloated afterwards, but they don’t have the same level of serious reaction.

MSG and Cancer

MSG is a popular flavor enhancer that’s gotten a lot of bad press recently with claims that it is tied to cancer. While this seems to be the current popular opinion, there are no definitive facts showing this link. Researchers have not found that MSG causes cancer and it’s still recognized by the FDA as being safe to use. Some people may have a sensitivity to MSG, but there is no proof of any long term health issues being caused from it.

Detox Diets

Detox diets are another fad that just seem to be popping up everywhere. There are a bunch of detox teas, coffees, and juices that promise to help purify the body of toxins, but do they actually work? Yes and no. From a medical perspective, you don’t really need to detox your body – our bodies are built to get rid of toxins all on their own without requiring any extra help. As such, we don’t need any of these magical purification potions to cleanse ourselves. A healthy lifestyle and eating habits will take care of it. Just by avoiding sugary or processed foods you are essentially “detoxing” in that you are allowing your body to function properly and flush any toxins naturally. That being said, the majority of these detox diets do have strong diuretic properties. So, they will flush the body by increasing how much comes out of it, so in some ways this might speed up the natural detox process.

Spicy Foods and Stomach Ulcers

Another common misconception is that spicy foods cause stomach ulcers. Good news to all hot sauce lovers out there – this is not true! Stomach ulcers are caused by a loss of pH balance in the stomach, which results in an infection due to the pylori bacteria which is naturally found in the stomach. When a stomach is properly balanced, this bacteria is at a normal level and doesn’t cause any issues, however if the balance is thrown off, then bacteria can build up and cause an infection which creates the ulcer. Spicy food has nothing to do with the pH balance of the body. While spicy food can irritate an ulcer if …

An IPL or Intense Pulsed Light facial is a non-invasive treatment to rejuvenate your skin. It uses this light to reach very deep into the epidermis which causes your body to make new cells and with new growth your skin will look youthful. You can get this facial on any part of your body. It is typically for your arms, hands, legs which are usually directly effected by the sunlight. This 30 minute procedure use intense light pulses to penetrate deeply into the skin. The level of light energy needed depends on what condition is being treated in order to give you maximum benefits. The damaged skin tissue absorbs the light to produce the desired results.

During the procedure you may experience a small amount of discomfort, however many do not experience any pain. Some will experience swelling and redness after treatment however these will subside rather quickly. The result will slowly reveal itself over a few weeks following treatment. The treatment removes damaged skin while stimulating collagen growth. Texture, color, and consistency in the skin can all be improved with these treatments.

Typically candidates for the procedure require five treatments approximately three weeks apart in order to get maximum results. Sunscreen should be applied to the face in the weeks following the procedure. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided to ensure the procedure affects are long lasting (up to a year or more).

You will begin to see the results of the procedure after only one treatment. Your skin tone will be more even while looking and feeling smoother. Pore sizes will also shrink and fine lines will gradually decrease. Each treatment will increase the amount of improvements. If you have redness from rosacea or other conditions you will see the redness decrease with each treatment.

Recovery time from the procedure is relatively short. Discomfort is unlikely and the flushed skin will quickly fade away. Be sure to follow any instructions from the doctor regarding what cleansers, makeup, and sunscreen should be used.
The cost of the treatment will vary depending on several factors, such as the number of treatments needed, the severity of the skin problem, as well as the area you live in. Typically the procedure is as much as $300 – $600. A photo-facial is not for everyone. There are factors that make some people ineligible for the procedure. A consultation with a trained dermatologist will help you determine if IPL photofacials is right for you.…