How to Choose the Right Background Screening Service Provider

As more and more employers conduct employment background checks, choosing the right service provider is essential. You need to find one that does an excellent job at a cost you can afford; you need to find one that meets your business needs and provides insights that help you make more informed hiring decisions.
Look for Accreditation
When selecting the right background screening service provider, accreditation is a crucial factor. Accredited firms meet rigorous standards ensuring they operate at the highest level.
It means they’re putting the client’s needs first, and their processes are up to industry standards. It also means they understand and adhere to their legal duties in conducting business.
The Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA) awards accreditation to firms that complete comprehensive audits every five years.
PBSA-accredited providers must undergo regular audits, including desk and on-site surveillance. They must also document their policies and processes that demonstrate compliance with consumer protection.
Look for Cost-Effectiveness
Choosing the right background screening company is essential for any business. You want to ensure that the company offers a cost-effective solution to serve your needs.
Hiring costs are increasing, which can impact any organization’s budgeting for HR. However, there are ways to reduce your overall screening costs without sacrificing quality or accuracy.
For example, some companies use advanced screening, which allows them to screen for several must-have requirements first. This way, if a job candidate doesn’t meet these criteria, they’re eliminated from the hiring process.
It would help if you also looked for providers that offer customizable packages based on the positions you’re screening for. These packages allow you to filter results based on your screening policy and help you maintain compliance at scale.
Look for Flexibility
Flexibility is one of the most critical considerations when choosing the right background screening service provider. You should be able to customize your background screen to suit your specific business needs, including your location, hiring processes, and role requirements.
For example, a company with employees who drive for work would be well served by a provider that offers a sophisticated motor vehicle background check solution. This includes a thorough background investigation for criminal activity, driving records, and even license suspensions.
Likewise, it would help if you are looking for a provider with a robust background screening platform that allows you to customize your process and integrate with other systems easily. This will help your team start quickly and use their time and resources best. You should also select a provider with customer service that is responsive and proactive in making suggestions to improve your hiring process.
Look for Customer Service
When choosing the right background screening service provider, look for customer support that goes above and beyond. This means a vendor that understands your business hires challenges and delivers top-notch candidate support from start to finish.
Today, screening vendors have to keep up with ever-shifting laws and regulations. That’s why it’s essential to choose a vendor that constantly monitors these laws and updates its platform to ensure the disclosures you present to candidates are accurate and compliant.
Having a dedicated account manager who gets to know your organization is critical to your relationship with the vendor and the quality of customer service you receive. Ask how many account managers a vendor has and whether they focus on customer service or divvy responsibility amongst different teams.