| Let's face it-we live in a microwave world. In a | | | | non-compliant with FCRA guidelines. |
| time when your meals, entertainment, | | | | Is an instant background check really instant? |
| communications and banking are all available to | | | | While there are companies that tout an instant |
| you at the push of a button, you would think that | | | | pre-employment background check, complete |
| an "instant" pre-employment background check | | | | results may not be instant. Most likely, turnaround |
| would be a great idea, too. However, if you are | | | | time will be based on the packages that you |
| looking into an instant background check solution, | | | | order for your check. If you read the fine print, |
| there are potential risks and gaps that you need | | | | you will discover that many of the common |
| to consider. | | | | searches, such as county criminal, will not return |
| Are there issues with database gaps and latency? | | | | results instantly. |
| The truth is that there is no centralized, real-time | | | | So, what should you consider when evaluating |
| database that contains criminal, employment, and | | | | pre-employment background screening solutions? |
| motor vehicle record history. Another common | | | | Speed - While instant background checks may not |
| misconception is that all criminal records in the U.S. | | | | be your best bet, it does not mean you need to |
| are centralized. Providers that are compiling | | | | resort to a slow process. A solution provider that |
| home-grown databases may present you with | | | | merges innovative technology and parallel |
| dated information, and a complete, comprehensive | | | | processing of your screening packages can get |
| criminal database for nationwide U.S. criminal | | | | you an accurate and compliant result with a quick |
| records does not exist. Either situation could leave | | | | turnaround time-even just a day or so. |
| you with incomplete or erroneous information that | | | | Reduced Administration - A great solution will |
| may negatively affect your hiring decisions. | | | | minimize the work you need to do in the |
| What impact will an instant background check | | | | background checking process. Integration with |
| have on me? | | | | your applicant tracking system, real-time reports |
| Many recruiters and HR professionals do not | | | | and status updates, easy-to-read screening |
| consider the additional work that could be added | | | | summaries and processes that keep your |
| to their plate when it comes to an instant | | | | company compliant are all important factors to |
| background check. For instance, what if you are | | | | consider. |
| running a criminal database check on a candidate | | | | Quality - Not all background checks are created |
| with a common name? An instant check will most | | | | equal. A world-class solution will combine great |
| likely send back hits for your candidate and | | | | technology, quality research and excellent |
| anyone else with that common name. It then | | | | customer service. This combination minimizes |
| becomes your job to weed through all of the | | | | issues and presents you with the best information |
| information and determine which hits are | | | | possible to make your hiring decision. |
| legitimate, and which ones aren't, or you risk being | | | | |