Background screening: what you need to know

Start with scope

Background checks should be role‑aligned. Define what you need for the job, then choose a package that provides clear outputs and defensible artifacts.

What affects turnaround

• Jurisdiction response times

  Some courts and agencies respond faster than others.
• Verification sources

  Schools, employers, and licensing bodies have varied SLAs.
• Candidate information quality

  Clear names, dates, and addresses reduce follow‑ups.

Make decisions consistent

• Define criteria

  Use written, job‑relevant criteria for adjudication.
• Use routing

  Route exceptions to the right reviewer, not your whole team.
• Maintain an audit trail

  Artifacts should explain the “why” behind outcomes.