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A study that was reviewed by the Society for Human Resources Management offered insight into what many employers want from a Consumer Reporting Agency.

Short Turnaround Times

In July 2023, the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) discussed the results of a survey in which more than 2,000 human resources professionals were asked what they look for from a Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA). The number one thing respondents said they need is a fast turnaround time for the employment background checks these CRAs compile.

When employers are hiring, they want to identify qualified people quickly and avoid the risk of losing potentially strong team members to other companies. As soon as the initial interview process is complete, most hiring managers expect the results of a background check within a few days.

Other Essentials

Another of the most important aspects of screening is accuracy. CRAs must supply current, accurate data. This effort begins with a Social Security Number (SSN) Trace to ensure the information in each report is for the right person.

Once an applicant's identity is confirmed, the next step is to run criminal and other searches, which are common components in background checks. It is crucial for employers to only rely on records that belong to the candidate they are considering. This is one reason they should avoid websites that leverage a variety of public records and not attempt to conduct their own searches. A CRA will take reasonable steps to ensure the data they share is up to date and correct.

The Backgrounds Online Difference

Backgrounds Online (BGO) is dedicated to providing background checks that help our customers make informed decisions, conduct due diligence and maintain safe workplaces. We do this by producing reports that contain a comprehensive overview of your candidate. This includes the SSN Trace, criminal searches, verifications and position-specific searches.

Most of our reports are completed within 1 to 3 business days. This empowers you to expeditiously confirm that your candidates are eligible so you can extend offers to top tier talent. If a report will take longer, we proactively reach out so you can determine how to proceed.

We take the accuracy requirement seriously and have procedures in place that help us and give you an extra level of confidence. There are numerous laws that govern what may or may not be included in a background check, and we work hard to keep up with these bills so we're prepared internally and able to create educational resources for you.

Verifications are another useful component of background checks. They can show if a candidate has required degrees or other educational achievements, the necessary employment history and any mandatory licenses or credentials. Our verifications team is highly trained regarding how to obtain this information swiftly. They are also adept at conducting professional and personal reference interviews that give insight into an applicant's communication skills, work ethic and other key characteristics.

Need Screening Services?

If your organization needs background checks for employment purposes, please contact us. Our team can help you customize screening packages based on your particular needs, relevant laws and industry best practices. We are available to assist you Monday through Friday from 5am to 6pm PT.