Verified Credentials has always focused on innovation. We understand how important it is to harness the latest screening tech advancements. Since we were founded in 1984, we have kept up with hiring trends to help our clients stay ahead of the curve—but we also understand that technology can’t do everything.  

Every hire is unique. As far as technology has come, certain records and data insights cannot reliably be automated, so a knowledgeable and experienced team is required. Today, we will take an inside look at the importance of human intervention and connection in screening with the input of our Director of Fulfillment, Valerie. 

An insider perspective from Operations  

What does a verifications team at a screening company do daily? In short, they verify records and gather information manually as needed to authenticate a candidate’s information and history. There are just some things a computer cannot do without intervention, and it takes a team of highly trained experts to screen candidates quickly with consistent results. 

Working swiftly and nimbly, a trained verification team matches pieces of information to verify that candidates are who they say they are, have the experience they claim, and have valid and complete documents. These pros sometimes match information from automated and manually retrieved sources as needed to deliver the information employers and others need.  They address discrepancies and call references to verify work history. Additionally, they help spot gaps and hurdles in the verification process to keep things as efficient as possible. 

The issue with an “automated everything mindset” in background screening 

You may still be wondering where a highly trained verifications team is absolutely necessary. Simply put, some records aren’t so easy to verify and require more than technology to provide clients with quick and reliable reports: 

• Inconsistent details in entries: Sometimes, errors or inconsistencies occur in candidate entries. Since an algorithm is looking to match exact information, this is one of several areas where technology can't meet the mark. Inconsistent data provided by a candidate can be accidental or a way to hide from their past, but usually requires further digging by hand, regardless. 

• Common and alias names: Name changes and alias names (AKA names) can make it difficult to track down historical records. Trained and experienced verification specialists know what details can get them to right information, whether looking for school records or past employment details. 

• Data redaction: Recent laws that change hiring and employment regulations are in place to protect certain individuals, create a fair hiring experience, and expand consumer privacy. While these laws are well-intended, they can also create gaps and missing information. A skilled verification team works quickly to work with what information is available to match the right candidate to potential records. 

These are some of the most common issues that require human intervention, but one of the most common issues a verification team runs into is verifying work references. Since many records are not easy to verify and employers can be hard to track down, the question is, “When is enough enough?”  

Unlimited Verification Attempts 

At Verified Credentials, we let our clients decide when enough is enough by offering unlimited verification attempts. Our own Director of Fulfillment, Valerie Chukwu, puts it best. 

“It’s common for our team to make several attempts to verify information. Sometimes, a previous employer is unresponsive, or there are discrepancies in information. All these scenarios make verifying a record challenging. Even if a record is difficult to verify, we do not stop until all options have been exhausted. Unlimited verification attempts are a unique feature that Verified Credentials offers. We want to make sure that we go the extra mile to get complete information and we want to provide our clients with everything we possibly can to verify that a candidate does not present risk based on past behaviors.” 

PBSA Certified

An easy place to start finding a reputable background check company is by finding a screening company that is PBSA certified. PBSA certification has rigorous and carefully regulated standards and isn’t given to companies that automate screening carelessly or give automated-only results. A PBSA-certified screening company meets the gold standard for background screening best practices and commitment to excellence, compliance, and consumer protection. Materials and processes are carefully reviewed for accreditation standards, including on-site and other regular audits to maintain certification. 

A human experience backed by progressive tech

Verified Credentials is all about balancing progressive screening technology with 100% U.S.-based customer service and expert verifications you can trust. Ultimately, technology can create a faster and more efficient screening process, but only a team of dedicated experts can create a customizable, supportive, and high-quality screening experience you can trust.   

Ready for a background check experience backed by a team you can trust? Contact us today to learn more.