Question 1

What is Background Check Software?

Accepted Answer

The candidate may have submitted an impressive resume, aced the skills test, and dazzled interviewers, but there is usually another important step in the process before a company extends a job offer—the background check. Businesses conduct pre-employment background checks before making a final hiring decision to verify the accuracy of the information that a candidate has presented and discover other information that might influence a hiring decision. Background check software streamlines this process by automating aspects of the process and enabling companies to manage checks for multiple candidates from a single system.  
 Background check platforms are typically not standalone systems. These platforms are often developed by background check companies, which are known in the industry as credit reporting agencies (CRAs). These accredited companies use the technology to manage the process as they provide businesses with employment screening services. Depending on the provider, screenings might entail a search of public records that is automated, or conducted by humans, or a mix of both. In this way, use of the software typically must operate along with the background check services provided by a company. 
 What Types of Background Check Software Exist? 
 Background checking software products exist as standalone solutions as well as modules that are part of a larger human capital management (HCM) platform.  
 Standalone solutions 
 These products are specifically devoted to managing pre-employment background checks. They often integrate with other HR software, including applicant tracking systems and core HR software. 
 HCM platform 
 Some HCM platforms come with an integrated background check module, which can streamline the sharing of candidate data for companies that already use that HCM. 
 What types of background screening products are available? 
 There are many kinds of checks that employers can request using background check software, but common ones include criminal records checks, motor vehicle reports, employment verification, credit checks, and drug tests. 
 Criminal background check 
 Criminal records checks are a common screening service provided during the employment process. These searches involve reviewing federal, state, and local records for a candidate’s past criminal convictions, both felonies, and misdemeanors, as well as active criminal cases that the candidate is named in. Some providers include global criminal record searches as part of their services. 
 Driving records check or motor vehicle report (MVR) 
 Reviews of a person’s driving record, sometimes known as motor vehicle record (MVR) screenings, locate information about a person’s driving history. This includes the status and class of their driver’s license and any past violations, going back a certain number of years. These checks are common for roles in which someone operates a vehicle as part of their job responsibilities. 
 Employment verification 
 Employment verification involves confirming a candidate’s employment history, including past places of employment, the dates they were employed, and their job responsibilities. Verifying these credentials helps companies ensure that they are hiring someone with the necessary experience for the role. Many providers also offer reference checking. 
 Education verification 
 Employers typically want to confirm that a candidate has the required education, qualifications, and training to succeed in the role. Background check solutions often include an option to verify a candidate’s education credentials, such as college degrees, certificates, licenses, or other specialized training.  
 Credit checks 
 Checking a candidate’s credit history can help companies assess the integrity and financial responsibility of candidates, especially for candidates who may be dealing with a company’s finances as part of their job roles. Hiring managers should be aware that some states have laws restricting the use of credit checks in employment. 
 Drug screening 
 Background check companies that provide drug testing in the United States are certified third-party administrators (TPA) of the Substance Abuse Program Administrators Association (SAPAA). SAPAA’s national standards are recognized as the seal of excellence for the substance abuse testing and program management industry. Some industries require drug testing for all applicants to reduce the risk of accidents. 
 Industry-specific checks 
 Some background check companies might specialize in certain industries, while others provide general screening reports for a variety of industries and positions. Industries that might have specialized screening needs include construction, commercial and tribal gaming, education, finance, government, health care, hospitality, manufacturing, staffing, and transportation.

Question 2

What are the Common Features of Background Check Software?

Accepted Answer

Common features of background screening software include administrative dashboards, candidate portals, analytics and reporting tools, and automated workflows.  
 Dashboards: A key part of any background check software is a dashboard that provides an overview of any active checks and real-time status updates on each candidate. These dashboards allow administrators to track the progress of each pre-employment screening and view an estimate of how long it will take for each report to be completed. 
 Candidate portal: Platforms with candidate-facing portals enable candidates to enter information about themselves through a web interface to help speed up the process. These self-service portals also typically show candidates the status of their background check and may also send notifications or reminders, which improves the overall candidate experience.  
 Automated workflows: Automation has become a growing part of many software products. For example, when an employer orders a background check, the system might automatically send a notification to the candidate, asking them to fill out documents to initiate the process. That paperwork can then be routed to the appropriate personnel for review. Companies can also develop custom workflows so that completed background checks are routed to the proper personnel for approvals or decisions. 
 ATS integrations: Most pre-employment screening platforms integrate with at least one applicant tracking system (ATS). ATS integrations facilitate the seamless transfer of data about candidates between the systems, which saves hiring managers the time it would take to move the data from one system to another and also reduces the potential for data entry errors. Many platforms offer an API to facilitate integrations with third-party software products. Integrating these systems also makes it easy for hiring managers to start a new background check with a few clicks. 
 Analytics and reporting: In addition to dashboards showing up-to-the-minute status updates for current background screenings, many platforms include analytics capabilities that facilitate a more in-depth look at background check data. These reporting tools can reveal trends in an organization’s processes, such as how long checks are taking on average, or whether completion times vary depending on location—since laws vary from state to state—or at different times of the year. They may also reveal trends in the decisions made by hiring teams, enabling companies to adjust their processes as needed. Identifying these trends can help companies identify ways to speed up the process or reach greater numbers of candidates. 
 Compliance tools: Automated compliance checks help administrators determine which laws and regulations apply to their pre-employment screening process. While all checks in the United States must comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and guidelines from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), other laws or regulations can vary depending on where the company is located. The software can monitor compliance regulations and make sure to generate the proper forms, disclosures, and authorizations to send to candidates. At a minimum, a platform should be FCRA compliant and also adhere to the latest EEOC regulations.

Question 3

What are the Benefits of Background Screening Software?

Accepted Answer

Speed up time-to-hire: In competitive recruiting environments, completing the hiring process promptly can mean the difference between adding a stellar new hire or losing out on that person to another company. As a result, reducing the turnaround time for a candidate screening is important, and faster checks offer companies a competitive advantage. Employment background check software automates the process of verifying the information candidates provide during the talent acquisition process. Many background check vendors are also increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to comb through big datasets for pertinent records to speed up the process. This reduces the time that the company needs to spend on authenticating information, freeing up time for other hiring and onboarding processes. 
 Maintain compliance: Employee background checks are highly regulated processes, bound by local and federal regulations, and it is important for employers to maintain compliance with these rules to avoid legal problems. But keeping track of those regulations and ensuring they are closely followed can be challenging without help. Background screening solutions provide businesses with access to up-to-date compliance knowledge, which can lower the likelihood of regulatory violations and lawsuits. The best background check services will ensure that their clients are in compliance throughout the entire process. These systems can also maintain records to prove compliance later if necessary. 
 Increase confidence in hiring decisions: A bad hire can cost a company thousands of dollars in recruiting expenses, productivity losses, team morale declines, and legal fees. A pre-employment background check can help the hiring team have confidence that the person they are hiring is trustworthy and won’t pose a risk to the company or its employees. Employers use background checks to verify the accuracy of the information a candidate presented during the hiring process, including that they have the qualifications required to do the job well. Employment screenings can also uncover information about a person’s history that could present workplace safety or liability risks, such as a poor driving record or a history of criminal violence. 
 Improve the candidate experience: Many products provide online background check services and cloud-based dashboards so that both the applicant and the human resources professional charged with overseeing the process can check on the progress of employee background checks. Giving candidates this information improves communication during the recruiting process, which can leave candidates with a more positive impression of the company and build trust. In turn, good recruiting experiences can positively impact the company’s brand and lead to greater recruiting success.

Product	Best for	User Review
RUN Powered by ADP 4.7/5(6,342)	Hiring-integrated background checks within payroll onboarding	"User-Friendly Payroll with Reliable Processing"
Checkr 4.5/5(457)	ATS-integrated pre-employment background screening workflows	"Intuitive UI, Seamless ATS Integration, and Reliable Performance"
Paycom 4.6/5(7,185)	Onboarding-integrated background check workflows	"Everything in One Place—Easy Mobile Access and Better Team Insights"
HireRight 3.9/5(197)	DOT-compliant pre-employment screening with ATS integration	"Easy I-9 Reviews and a User-Friendly Experience"
BackgroundChecks.com 4.8/5(51)	Fast pre-employment screening with compliance support	"Fast, Easy, and Thorough Background Checks at a Great Price"
Accurate Background 4.5/5(105)	High-volume pre-employment screening with ATS integration	"Seamless Integration and Expert Support"
Hireology 4.5/5(1,403)	End-to-end hiring with embedded background checks	"Streamlined Recruiting Across Locations with Great Collaboration Tools"
Cisive 4.7/5(116)	DOT-compliant driver background screening with ATS integration	"Outstanding Customer Service: Fast, Respectful Support"
DISA Global Solutions 4.6/5(107)	DOT-compliant drug screening and background workflows	"User-Friendly, Versatile Background Checks with Flexible Add-On Products"

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