What are the benefits of background screening? Organisations can sometimes be hesitant to undertake employment screening, believing that it is a hindrance to the hiring process. This is especially true when there is a shortage of staff and organisations are eager to fill vacant positions.
However, a mature and professional organisation will see the many benefits that employment screening can provide. By taking a holistic approach to this process – which looks at an applicant’s criminal history, employment background, and qualifications – organisations can ensure that they are making the best possible hiring decisions.
In addition, employment screening can help to protect an organisation from potential legal liabilities. By thoroughly screening applicants, organisations can minimise the risk of hiring someone who is unsuitable for the role or who may pose a risk to the organisation.
Even in an environment where there is a talent draught, organisations cannot afford to overlook the benefits of employment screening.
Here’s why.
The Talent Shortage in Australia
The current talent shortage in the Australian workforce is a major concern for businesses across the country. With more jobs than ever before, there simply aren’t enough skilled workers to fill all of the available positions.
According to the latest figures published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the country is facing more than 423,000 job vacancies, with most businesses putting the large number of vacancies down to more than half of the candidates not having the necessary skills. Beyond that, there is a general consensus that there are just not enough applicants to fill the openings.
With an ever-growing skills gap and a lack of candidates, organisations are feeling the pressure to hire the best of the best. However, in order to do so, they need to ensure the hiring process is up to scratch. By streamlining the hiring process and making it more user-friendly, businesses stand a much better chance of attracting the best candidates and filling vacancies successfully.
The Benefits of Background Screening
Any business owner will tell you that finding good employees is not always easy. In fact, in today’s economy, it can be downright impossible. With the unemployment rate at an all-time low, businesses are scrambling to find qualified candidates. And in many industries, there is simply a shortage of talent. This is where background screening comes in.
By conducting a thorough check of an applicant’s criminal history, employment history, and educational background, employers can be sure that they are hiring the best possible candidate for the job.
This information can be invaluable in making sure that you are hiring trustworthy, reliable employees. In addition, background screenings can:
- prevent you from selecting one candidate over another who is not the best fit for your organisation;
- signal your organisation’s values to a potential candidate;
- give the candidate the best possible start because they won’t feel the need to prove themselves;
- give the rest of the organisation and managers confidence that the candidate is appropriately skilled and qualified; and
- improve employee retention and keep team morale high.
In a talent drought, background screening is a vital tool for businesses looking to hire the best and the brightest.
Considerations When Background-Screening Potential Candidates
When conducting background screening, we advocate taking the following three factors into consideration:
- Timeliness: conducting a screening too late can mean wasting time and resources if the candidate isn’t a good fit, but conducting one too early can delay the hiring process. The key is to strike a balance so that you’re neither moving too slowly nor rushing through the process.
- Additional cost: while the upfront cost of a comprehensive background check may be higher than a basic check, it is important to consider the potential long-term costs of not properly vetting applicants. The cost of a bad hire can far outweigh the cost of a comprehensive background check.
- Candidate experience: ensuring a positive candidate experience is critical for any organisation, but it’s especially important when conducting background screening. A bad experience during the screening process can damage your company’s reputation and discourage top talent from applying for open positions.
It’s also important to consider using background checks as one part of a holistic hiring process that not only factors in an applicant’s qualifications but also their ability to fit into a company culture. One way to help ensure that you are making the best hiring decisions is to partner with an employment screening company, such as Accurate Australia.
An employment screening company can help you to develop custom screening plans that are designed to identify applicants who are not only qualified for the position, but who will also be a good fit for your company.
In addition, they can provide ongoing support and guidance throughout the hiring process, ensuring that everything runs smoothly. As a result, working with an employment screening partner can help you to implement a holistic hiring process that will result in better-qualified and more engaged employees.
By taking all of these factors into consideration, you can give yourself the best chance of making a smart, informed hiring decision.
How to Choose an Employment Screening Partner
When it comes to employment screening, it’s important to choose a partner you can trust. After all, you’re trusting them with sensitive information about your employees and your business. You need to know that they will handle that information with care and discretion. Fortunately, there are many great employment screening partners out there.
Here are a few things to look for when choosing one:
Key Takeaways
It’s no secret that there is a talent shortage in Australia. With so many businesses competing for top talent, it can be difficult to find qualified candidates for open positions. But a holistic hiring process that includes adequate background screening can help you navigate this challenge and hire the best candidates for the job.
Here at Accurate Australia, we can help organisations develop a hiring solution that meets their specific needs. We offer a comprehensive range of services, from pre-employment screening to reference checks and background investigations. Our team of experienced professionals will work with you to create a customised solution that will help you find the best candidates for your organisation. With Accurate Australia, you can be confident that you’re making the right hiring decisions.
If you’re interested in learning more about these services, get in touch today.
