Whether you need to verify education, employment history, or licensing credentials, comprehensive background checks help ensure new hires are who they say they are. Streamlining this process with software can save hours for HR teams and help protect organizations from dishonesty and misrepresentation in the workplace.
Partnering with a trusted consumer reporting agency (CRA) can streamline the pre-employment screening. This includes integrating with an applicant tracking system and providing mobile-first solutions for candidates.
Tracking
The ability to track applicants is critical for HR teams, especially those tasked with managing the background check process. A good background check service can automate and consolidate essential functions, ensuring that all candidates are given equal attention throughout the screening process.
This allows you to make informed hiring decisions without sacrificing the quality of your candidate pool. Additionally, you can save time and avoid legal risk by letting a trusted CRA manage criminal records searches and verify credentials, such as education, employment, and identity.
Using automation to speed up key processes is also helpful, as it helps increase background check productivity. For instance, automated software to send e-signatures to candidates and digitally timestamp actions can help eliminate paperwork and speed up processing times. It also makes it easy for candidates to complete forms, provide consent, and upload documents. An intuitive user interface ensures candidates follow clear instructions and complete the process independently.
Mobile-First
In an on-demand culture where candidates prize convenience, meeting them where they are means optimizing your processes to fit their needs. One way to do this is by enabling job candidates to submit all their information through a mobile-responsive candidate portal.
This allows them to provide background data instantly, schedule drug screening from their phones, and track the progress of their reports without having to contact HR professionals for status updates or paper authorizations. It also speeds up processing times and helps employers comply with local laws, such as those around consent for a background check.
Another way to streamline the process is by integrating the background check service with an applicant tracking system (ATS) or human resources information system (HRIS). This reduces manual data entry and eliminates the need for back-and-forth communication, reducing hiring time. It also helps automate workflows, eliminate error-prone double-entry, and save on human intervention costs.
Compliance
No matter your industry, your company must adhere to federal laws protecting against discrimination. This is why creating a standard process and making background checks a regular part of your hiring practices is essential. Ensure compliance by learning about the Civil Rights Act and other federal regulations that apply to your business.
In addition to ensuring your policies are compliant, it’s also essential to ensure that all information you access is accurate. Conduct knockout rounds, educational verifications, and reference checks to help you identify and objectively eliminate unqualified candidates before they become a liability.
Ensure your team constantly works with up-to-date data by integrating background check services into your ATS. This will give you peace of mind that each candidate’s results are available immediately and transparently. It will also reduce the likelihood of errors, a common concern among hiring managers. In addition, a comprehensive background check service will automatically generate disclosure forms and obtain consent for each search.
Flexibility
Depending on the size of your company, you might need a provider that offers flexible options for screening volume. Suppose you have a large number of remote employees, for example. In that case, working with a service that can provide detailed reports on each individual and deliver accurate data and fast turnaround times is essential.
A background check service can also be a valuable tool for verifying an applicant’s education, employment history, and other qualifications. This can help you avoid hiring dishonest or dangerous candidates while protecting your organization from negligent hiring lawsuits.
Choose a company that offers a variety of screening options, including criminal, sex offender, and driving records checks, as well as identity verification. Some providers also provide drug testing and can integrate with skills assessment tools to save time and increase efficiency. In addition, look for a service with deep regional expertise, local service proficiency, and scalable global fulfillment capabilities through progressive ordering.