Background checks can be known as inconvenient. The long waits, the pointless trips to the RCMP station and the paperwork that comes along with completing your Criminal Record Check are over. The hassle of getting a background check can be a determining factor if the candidate will complete the job application or not. It is proven that candidates will stop filling out their application if they get to a point of frustration. Industry studies have shown that 34% of employers have lost candidates due to a lengthy and poor background check experience. A positive candidate experience will not only give an employer a competitive edge but will also ensure the employer has reviewed applications in a timely manner.
Why are background checks important?
Background checks are an important pre-employment screening step before making a hiring decision. More than 5 million jobs in information technology are expected to be added globally from 2018—2027. Viatec predicts that the tech sector will be at $10 billion in annual revenues by 2030 and corporations such as Amazon are hiring up to 2800 employees a day, including software engineers and hardware specialists. There is no doubt that Covid-19 has slowed the demand for tech workers, however, there is still an increase in demand for certain positions which counters this downward trend.
Despite the uncertainty, it is still important to know who you are hiring. One bad hire can cost a company anywhere between $8000 for SMB's to $240,000 for a large enterprise when it comes to hiring, retention, and pay. Hiring the wrong employee can cost at least 30% of an employee's first year earnings, once expenses associated with hiring, compensation, lost business opportunities and severance are factored in.
It is not surprising that 96% of employers conduct at least one type of background screening. Getting a background check done avoids liabilities to the employer, highlighting all criminal history and criminal acts. This also provides a safe work environment for employees that work either remotely or in the office. As a candidate, you feel more welcome when you know that every employee must conduct a background check before being hired.
Along with the criminal, commercial, and credit checks, a leader in the background check industry will also have ID verification. Verifying employment and education will allow you to confirm job competency, and how much their starting pay will be. At Certn, we complete different types of checks depending on what your company requires.
The Candidate
The candidate’s screening experience is very important when going through the hiring process. This can be anywhere from the application, to the interview, to the onboarding process. With a highly competitive hiring market, the hiring experience of the candidate is critical for an employer. Even if the candidate isn't hired, the process will dictate whether or not they will apply to the company again. If the candidate’s hiring experience is not strong, they might end up backing out of the job application, and the employer might have just missed out on top talent.
How to choose a background check company?
1. Is it Comprehensive and Easy To Use?
Can you complete the necessary forms, and questions on a mobile device and your laptop? Most job seekers are on their phones, so your system should be compatible and user friendly. Candidates are usually applying for multiple jobs, so if the interface is easy to use and takes minutes to complete, you will see a higher number of successful candidates applying for your jobs. Along with being easy to use, the client should have a full understanding of the steps throughout the process.
2.Is there a 100% Satisfaction Rate from the Candidate?
If you hire with confidence, stay compliant with the latest screening regulations, and create a safe and more diverse working environment — all while being more productive in your recruiting efforts, you have just passed your recruiter competition. Creating a more seamless and transparent application process for your candidates will also make your life easier. As an employer, you do not want to waste your candidate’s time or waste your money. Ensure that the candidate is receiving all the necessary information to complete the background check. With an accurate screening process, background check companies should be able to provide accuracy and efficiency, within a reasonable time limit. Guaranteeing a 100% satisfactory rate is crucial across background checks companies.
3. Are they Fast and Responsive?
In today's competitive hiring sector, employers are always looking to get a competitive advantage. As an employer you need results fast, in a form that is easy to analyze. The faster, and more accurate you receive the reports, the more you can hire. If the employer has questions, the background check company must be ready to answer those questions. Hiring faster, and more accurate will grow your business as you hire top talent.
Benefits of going with the best background check provider
Background checks ultimately tell you if someone will be a safe hire for your organization, but how you look into their personal records is key. To ensure that you follow all applicable screening laws, you’ll want to use a top employment background screening provider that’s compliant with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Otherwise, a candidate could sue you for not getting hired, or you could be fined by a government agency like the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). We are FCRA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type II compliant. Our in-house compliance experts and experienced customer support team will help you stay compliant and ensure your background screening process is successful with our platform.
Since founding Certn, we’ve built the world’s largest risk relevant database and more direct connections with courts and police services than anybody. With fast, friendly and comprehensive background checks, your candidates will be more than satisfied.
Book a demo with us to find out how we can help refine your screening process and start hiring right.