Why Accuracy and Service Matter Most in Background Screening
In a world where the cost of a bad hire or a compliance misstep has arguably never been greater, Peter Cleverton, EVP of International at HireRight, explains why accuracy and a first-rate service aren’t just parts of what HireRight does—they’re the foundations upon which the company stands.
At HireRight, we believe accuracy isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s the essential component of any company’s background screening programme (especially those working in higher-risk regulated sectors, such as financial services, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals).
Accuracy vs. Speed
Our latest Global Benchmark Report, which was released earlier this month and is based on the responses of more than 1,000 HR and risk professionals worldwide, shows that accuracy of results is what most businesses (74%) are looking for from their background screening provider. While some may believe in the outdated mantra that speed is king, in fact, our survey found that the number of businesses ranking speed/turnaround times of background checks among their top priorities is at a three-year low (39%).
Our survey also found that the cost of a bad hire remains a top concern for many businesses across all regions—as well as non-compliance with regulations and financial loss through criminal activity. With these well-known risks, plus new and evolving threats such as sophisticated AI-driven employment fraud, it is not surprising that many businesses are doubling down on accuracy, realising that often corners need to be cut to deliver results more quickly—and that is a price they’re no longer willing to pay.
However, accuracy and speed can go hand in hand when done the right way. HireRight leverages smart, compliance-driven workflows, a comprehensive range of applicant tracking system integrations, and a frictionless user experience to help our customers' candidates get through the screening process as efficiently as possible, but, importantly, without compromising on quality, completeness, or accuracy of results.
Focus on Candidate Experience
In times of geopolitical and economic uncertainty, businesses are often more cautious with their recruitment strategies, hiring for only the most essential roles. This means that making the right hiring decisions and mitigating, as far as possible, against established and emerging threats, are even more important than usual. Getting each background check right matters, and so does providing a smooth, intuitive, and efficient candidate experience.
In addition to accuracy and speed, at the heart of HireRight’s offering is a commitment to exceptional service. We understand that even the most accurate background check can fall short if the service experience doesn’t meet expectations. That’s why we invest in regional support teams, multilingual candidate assistance, and proactive communication to ensure both our customers and their candidates feel supported every step of the way. Our dedicated service delivery model is designed to be responsive, knowledgeable, and solution-oriented—which is reflected in our 80% first-call resolution rate and consistently high customer satisfaction scores. Whether you're navigating complex regulatory requirements or managing high-volume hiring, our team is here to make the process smooth, efficient, and stress-free. Additionally, with our unified global system, robust QA processes, and real-time dashboards for reporting, you can spend less time on background screening administration and have more time for everything else that lands in your inbox.
------
To find out more about how HireRight combines accuracy, speed, and exceptional service for its customers and their candidates, please visit HireRight.com or get in touch via our Contact Us page.
