The Features of a Modern Background Screening Platform

Find out what features to look out for in a modern screening platform. Learn what background check system features help employers the most.

What features should employers look for in a background screening platform?

Features employers should look for in a background screening platform include efficient workflows, positive user experience, compliance support, and thoughtful security. The most effective solutions combine automation, visibility, and integration capabilities within a single system. This article explores key areas for evaluation, such as workflow and reporting tools.

Key Takeaways

• Modern screening platforms support a wide range of features that streamline hiring and onboarding.

• Integrations with other human resources systems promote consistency and improve compliance.

What reporting capabilities should a screening platform provide?

Modern screening platforms often provide visibility into screening activity, hiring metrics, and user activity. Reporting tools like these help employers monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and evaluate the effectiveness of their program. Below are a few important features to look out for:

• Administrative Summary Report: Identify discrepancies and holdups at a glance.

• Turnaround Time Report: Improve planning with ETAs for every candidate report.

• Advanced Search & Filtering: Locate orders faster by searching or filtering by owner, location, and more.

• Customized Reporting: Minimize review time by setting criteria based on hiring policy.

Why are technology integrations important?

Integrations are important because they allow hiring teams to initiate and manage background checks within their existing HR platform, such as an Applicant Tracking System (ATS) or Human Resources Information System (HRIS) platform. This improves data accuracy by automatically transferring candidate information between systems and providing real-time status updates to keep users in the loop without interruption.

Automated screening workflows

Instead of relying on manual processing, screening activities can move automatically through predefined workflows established in an integration setup. In many cases, that process involves updating a candidate's status in the HR platform, which triggers the background check order. As the order progresses, users can often see updates on the background check status and view final results all directly in the main HR platform.

Automation also promotes consistency by ensuring screening steps occur at the proper time in the hiring process for every candidate.

Help maintain compliance

Automated processes can support disclosure management, authorization collection, adverse action procedures, and record retention requirements, thereby helping employers remain compliant. By reducing manual, disconnected processes, organizations can improve consistency and create stronger audit trails throughout the screening process.

APIs vs. established integrations

When establishing an integration, employers often choose between Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and established, or “native,” integrations. The choice largely comes down to more customizability or added convenience.

• APIs take longer to set up but support unique data routing and provide more flexibility.

• Established integrations are more turnkey but limited to the features of their connected platforms.

Although other methods are available, these options are often chosen for their speed and security. The real-time data flows, strong encryption, and validation protocols provide this support to keep applicants moving without sacrificing safety. For more details on how these exchanges work, check out Technology Integrations for Background Checks >

What security features should employers evaluate?

Employers should evaluate how the platform protects data during collection, transmission, storage, and reporting. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), important security features include:

• Encryption: Personal Identifiable Information (PII) needs to be masked to protect candidate data, both in transit and at rest.

• Access Control: It’s recommended that user roles be assigned and managed by system administrators.

• User Authentication Safeguards: Two-factor authentication helps to limit access to authorized individuals only.

• Audit Logging: A time-stamped register of events supports compliance audit requirements.

• Ongoing System Monitoring: Continuous asset monitoring assists in identifying anomalies and adverse events to keep systems running smoothly.

Can background screening platforms support multiple hiring locations?

Yes, modern screening platforms can support multiple hiring locations. Centralized administration allows employers to maintain oversight while accommodating location-specific hiring requirements.

How do modern screening platforms streamline background checks?

Modern screening platforms help to streamline background checks with features that simplify ordering, facilitate report tracking, consolidate information, and provide customizability with accounts.

Simplified ordering

An easy ordering system, complete with step-by-step guides and an intuitive interface, can reduce time to order significantly. Time-saving features may include custom package creation to support standardization and a window for modifying orders once placed.

Order tracking

Knowing where candidates are in the process immediately reduces the need to manually check each order. Color-coded result previews can call attention to discrepancies, if present, that warrant further review, thereby reducing delays.

Consolidated candidate information

Gathering details on applicants in one central location minimizes time spent searching for them. Contemporary platforms can display everything from candidate details to associated products, documents, and fees connected with their report.

Customizable account settings

Flexible account structures boost productivity by limiting interference from unauthorized individuals and allowing for multi-location ordering. Preventing users from adjusting settings that they shouldn’t save more than just time; it can save headaches, too.