Featured Image - 5 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Background Check Provider

5 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Background Check Provider

Date Published: November 03, 2023 | Last Updated: February 05, 2024 | By Suraiya Sarwar

Conducting employee background checks is an essential element of the hiring process. So essential, in fact, that 93% of all organizations globally conduct some form of background check when hiring, according to the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA). Screening employees is much more than a risk-avoidance tool. It’s about finding the right fit for you and the candidate.

Because of the complexity of the background check process and the constantly changing rules and requirements associated with background screening, many companies hire a partner to help them with the process. The right partner is vital to your success. But, over time, if the support and services no longer meet your company’s needs, it might be time to consider a move.

Here are 5 Signs It’s Time to Change Your Background Check Provider: How many of these are you seeing?

1. They Don’t Offer the Comprehensive Services You Need

There is no one-size-fits-all background check solution that will meet every company’s — or every position’s — needs. Employers need to be able to conduct employment reference checks, criminal record checks, education and work history verifications, and more — and your background check provider needs to offer all of these.

With the increasing preference for remote and gig jobs and the demand for global background checks for multi-national corporations and international applicants, HR leaders also need a background check provider that can conduct background checks on a global scale

You also need to ensure that your background check service provider is up to date with the constant updates in regulations and compliance. Non-compliance can lead to legal issues and penalties, as well as damage to your employer brand. In addition, inaccurate information can lead to bad hiring decisions that also come with potential legal ramifications.

If it’s time to look for a new provider, make sure you look for one that has both robust services and compliance processes in place.

2. They’re Missing Critical ATS Integrations

Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) are must-haves in today’s technology-enabled and fast-paced recruiting environment. HR and talent acquisition pros simply can’t live without them. They also can’t live with the inability of their background screening provider’s software to seamlessly integrate with their systems. Clunky workarounds just don’t cut it. If your background check provider cannot connect to your critical systems, it’s time for a change.

An integrated solution will eliminate duplicate data entry, reduce the chance of data differing between separate systems, and speed up the hiring process.

Accurate has close relationships with major ATS providers and offers seamless integration with ATS to significantly streamline the hiring process. By integrating their ATS with Accurate’s background check solution, HR managers can increase their efficiency, reduce time-to-hire, and have all their hiring information in one easy-to-access location.

3. Automation and Efficiency Are Slow and Outdated

Face it. Time is of the essence when it comes to filling an open position, especially for roles that are highly specialized and competitive. Background check providers need to stay up to date on technology to ensure they’re offering maximum automation and efficiency. Providers that use advanced technology and automated processes can deliver results more quickly and efficiently, which can pay off in a big way.

For example, the best providers are using artificial intelligence (AI) to examine more data sources and cast a wider net for reviewing candidates’ backgrounds and available public records. They’re also offering automated, secure platforms that have sophisticated and user-friendly dashboards, making it easy, intuitive, and seamless to get the information you need when you need it.

That brings us to another sign it’s time to switch—issues with customer service.

4. Customer Service is on the Decline

The background check process can be complex, growing increasingly complex as companies recruit from a broader geography, including globally. This, along with constant changes in regulations, keeps companies on their toes. They need to know that they can rely on prompt, accurate, timely, and up-to-date support from their background service providers.

You need access to resources and information when you have questions or run into issues or roadblocks. And you need it now. Having 24/7 access that is friendly, courteous, and provides a quick resolution isn’t an option — it’s a must.

Accurate provides robust customer support to help clients navigate any issues or questions they may have. Our support team is readily available to assist clients, whether they need help with their account, or are interested in our support. We offer that same prompt, courteous, and friendly support to your applicants, too.

5. They’re Not Keeping Up With Technological Advancements

In today’s rapidly paced world of increasingly sophisticated technology advancements, change happens quickly, and systems become out dated. If your background screening provider isn’t keeping up with the pace of change, you’re missing out!

Accurate offers innovative and cutting-edge background check and security research products, and provides outstanding domestic and international background checks at competitive rates, with some of the best turnaround times in the industry. Navigating the complexities and continual changes of the background check environment comes with potential perils and pitfalls—but also exciting possibilities when you’re working with the right provider.

The bottom line: it’s important to be alert to the signs that it’s time to switch your background screening service provider. When it is, we’re here to help.

If it is time to switch providers, our compliance, solutions, and product teams compiled this comprehensive guide to switching background screening providers, complete with screening and compliance checklists and a sample transition plan.

The foregoing commentary is not offered as legal advice but is instead offered for informational purposes. Accurate Background is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice. The foregoing commentary is therefore not intended as a substitute for the legal advice of an attorney knowledgeable of the user’s individual circumstances or to provide legal advice. Accurate Background makes no assurances regarding the accuracy, completeness, currency, or utility of the following information. If any regulatory developments and impacts are continuing to evolve in this area, please contact an attorney for more assistance.