4 Metrics for Optimizing Your Background Check Processes

Hiring is not an unmeasurable element of running a business. Human resources can measure their processes just like sales, accounting, digital marketing, or any other department does. But since background checks and hiring aren’t as easily measured as, say, income vs. expenditures, how should they be measured?  

1. Length of Time to Complete Background Check Forms

  Measuring the time between when HR requests completion of a background check form from a candidate to when that form is received can reveal opportunities for improvement. Are there reoccurring hiccups in this process? Do a lot of candidates misunderstand a direction or respond for clarification in similar ways?  

2. Background Check Turnaround Time

  The time between when your candidate submits consent for their background check to when the background check results are received can tell you if there’s an issue in how your candidates provide information and submit it. Look for opportunities to clarify instructions or streamline requests.  

3. Total Number of Background Checks

  The total background checks your business orders per candidate, per department, and overall can tell you a lot about what your hiring managers need–or believe they need–from background checks. There may be opportunities to streamline processes hereby pre-selecting checks for departments or particular employment levels.  

4. Average Cost Per Background Check

  If a department or location has a higher-than-average cost per background check, investigate why. Is it possible to reduce costs without increasing risk? On the flip side, is there a department or location with a lower-than-average cost per background check? Is that increased risk for the company?   Ideally, you’ll dig into the metrics above and discover that everything is as it should be! If so, keep tracking. By keeping an eye on what’s happening in real-time, you’ll be able to see fairly quickly if there’s an anomaly in your background check processes and, hopefully, be able to correct it without much trouble.

At ClearStar, we are committed to your success. An important part of your employment screening program involves compliance with various laws and regulations, which is why we are providing information regarding screening requirements in certain countries, region, etc. While we are happy to provide you with this information, it is your responsibility to comply with applicable laws and to understand how such information pertains to your employment screening program. The foregoing information is not offered as legal advice but is instead offered for informational purposes. ClearStar is not a law firm and does not offer legal advice and this communication does not form an attorney client relationship. The foregoing information is therefore not intended as a substitute for the legal advice of a lawyer knowledgeable of the user’s individual circumstances or to provide legal advice. ClearStar makes no assurances regarding the accuracy, completeness, or utility of the information contained in this publication. Legislative, regulatory and case law developments regularly impact on general research and this area is evolving rapidly. ClearStar expressly disclaim any warranties or responsibility or damages associated with or arising out of the information provided herein.