Delays in the hiring process can be frustrating. Filling a job position, in most cases, is very time-sensitive. The last thing you want to hear is that the background check is holding up the entire process. So in order to keep you from pulling out your hair, we have compiled a list of some of the most common delays and why these delays happen. We have even provided some tips to combat delays in your screening program.
1. Inaccurate Personal Information
Errors when inputting important
identifiers, such as the name or date of birth of the applicant, can mess up
the background check. Nothing will delay the process more than having to redo
the search, starting with re-entry of personal identifiers. Failure to use
accurate information will require that you reach back out to the applicant to make
corrections. This is a sure way to bring your process to a screeching halt. Errors
made in entry on I9’s or EVerify orders cannot be fixed by S2Verify, requires a
cancellation of the search, by law, and re-entry by the client.
2. Additional Information Required
The background check may be at a
standstill if you have not uploaded necessary documentation. Depending on the
requirements of the background check, it could be anything from a driver’s
license to a consent form. First and foremost, make sure you are doing
everything that you can on your end to complete the background check and get
the applicant on the job.
3. Adjudication at the Local Level
Simply running an applicant
through the national criminal database does not constitute a comprehensive
background check. The information can be inaccurate based upon time lapse or
out-of-date. Due diligence requires verification of any records found in the
national criminal database at the local level (i.e. county or state courts). Also,
not every court system has records online. This results in manual court record
retrieval, which can take some time. Adjudication at the county level is best
practices and a necessary procedure to deliver accurate, current data.
4. Failure to Reach Sources for Education or
Employment Verification
Trying to get a hold of someone
from the appropriate school or company can prove difficult at times. For
example, getting proof of an applicant’s high school diploma can be a struggle
during the summer months. Verification can be one of the biggest
obstacles preventing the timely completion of an applicant’s background check.
5. Court Closings
Factors such as holidays and harsh
weather conditions can result in local courts closing for a period of time.
Background checks that are awaiting information from one of these courts are
stuck in limbo until the courts re-open. Currently, not every court offers
online access to records. Unfortunately, this is a delay that cannot be
avoided.
What can I do to overcome these delays?
Set-backs, such as court closings and the adjudication of
records, cannot be avoided. Until every court provides access to records
online, weather and holidays will continue to be a problem. This is a reality,
regardless of the provider you choose for your background checks. There are a
few things, however, that you can do to ensure the greatest result in terms of
turnaround time:
1. Double check to make sure the information
inputted is correct before you submit it for a background check. Two transposed
digits can mean the difference between an erroneous and an accurate background
check.
2. Make sure that the background check is not
pending the upload of documentation on your end. Certain searches require
additional information, such as a driver’s license or consent form.
3. Ensure that your provider is doing everything
they can to verify past employment and education. Ask them what their procedure
is. Do they use a database? Do they outsource the work? How often are they
reaching out to employers/schools? If they are not calling sources frequently
enough, they will not be able to verify employment/education. Hold your
provider accountable.
