One of the most frequently asked questions businesses have when it comes to background checks is, “How long will they take?” The answer is; it depends on a number of factors. And being aware of them helps a hiring employer have more realistic expectations when it comes to turnaround times. If your vendor hasn’t already shared them with you, then here are some to keep in mind:

• Bad Information or errors on applicant submission. These mistakes are often found on the initial information provided by the candidate or data entry mistakes. This is one reason it’s so important to have a vendor that provides you with a detail-oriented account manager who can help catch these kinds of inaccuracies earlier.
• A high number of jurisdictions to research can slow down a background check. If a candidate has had multiple names and lived in a number of different locations the results may take a little longer.
• Problematic courts or counties that need to be researched. Court closures or temporary restrictions can affect the turn-around time on a candidate’s background check. These can be a result of natural disasters, holidays or other unforeseen events. However, a good screening partner will not be surprised by these events and should have various methods they can utilize as work arounds to speed things up.
• International searches can slow down results depending on the types of records being requested and their country of origin. Keeping in mind that some jurisdictions cannot legally disclose certain information, other permissible locations may have specific constraints for timely response. Your vendor should be able to alert you to the specific challenges your searches may present.

These types of scenarios not only provide insight into reasons for increased turn-around time, they also underscore the value of the human factor when choosing a vendor. Having an assigned account manager is imperative to ensure accurate information and timeliness. A good background check partner delivers a personalized service to help you support your management team in making quicker hiring decisions.  

When your business needs assistance with employment screening, criminal checks, FCRA compliance, drug screening, education and employment verification, driving records (MVR), credit checks or social security number validation, contact the Swailes Background Team to get quickly signed up.