Uncategorized

July 13, 2025 No comments yet

How Small Businesses Can Conduct DIY Background Checks: Tools, Techniques, and Compliance Considerations

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

  • Cost Efficiency: DIY background checks can significantly reduce hiring costs.
  • Speed: Many tools provide results quickly, facilitating timely hiring.
  • Comprehensive Vetting: Ensures candidates are thoroughly evaluated, reducing potential risks.
  • User-Friendly Tools: Modern platforms are designed with small businesses in mind.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Need for DIY Background Checks in Small Businesses

As the job market evolves and competition for talent increases, ensuring that potential hires are thoroughly vetted has never been more essential. Background checks serve as a protective measure, helping businesses avoid potential liabilities by confirming candidates’ identities, employment history, and any criminal records. While hiring a third-party service can be beneficial, many small businesses are now embracing the idea of conducting DIY background checks using user-friendly tools available in the market.

There’s an abundance of affordable and efficient tools that facilitate this process. For instance, platforms such as GoodHire and Checkr have gained popularity among small business owners due to their accessibility, speed, and comprehensive offerings.

  1. GoodHire: GoodHire tailors its services specifically to small business needs, offering packages starting at an economical $29.99. Most nationwide criminal checks are delivered in less than a minute. The platform is optimized for mobile users, providing clear, actionable results alongside built-in compliance support to adhere to federal, state, and local laws.
  2. Checkr: Renowned for its efficient processes, Checkr allows users to complete sign-up and initiate screening within minutes. Its intuitive dashboard offers a seamless experience for ordering and reviewing results—boasting a 98% completion rate for checks within an hour. Moreover, its integration capabilities with HR software make it an attractive choice for startups and growing businesses.
  3. Other Notable Providers:
    • Accurate Now
    • Employment Screening Resources
    • HireRight
    • Trusted Employees: Offers customized checks based on industry and position with packages from $29.95.
    • Asurint and AGoodEmployee.com: Known for personalized service and pricing ranging from $29.95 to $199.95.

Key Techniques for Conducting DIY Background Checks

When conducting background checks, small businesses should adopt a structured approach to ensure thoroughness. Here are some key techniques:

Choose a Trusted Screening Partner

Many small businesses opt to collaborate with third-party companies registered as Consumer Reporting Agencies (CRAs). These agencies are essential for maintaining legal compliance while gaining access to extensive databases, ensuring comprehensive checks with minimized risk.

Utilize an Online Dashboard

Modern background check tools come equipped with user-friendly dashboards that facilitate placing orders, tracking progress, and viewing results in real-time. This centralization eases the entire process.

Select Tailored Packages

Most screening providers allow users to choose pre-bundled packages that cover essential checks, including criminal history, identity verification, and employment history. Additional add-ons can cater to industry-specific needs and enhance the depth of the checks.

Automate Credentialing and Compliance

Advancements in technology offer platforms that help automate processes, including company verification and consent forms. Moreover, these tools provide guidance to ensure compliance with legal statutes like the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), reducing administrative burdens.

Step-by-Step DIY Background Check Process

To evaluate potential hires effectively, small businesses can follow this step-by-step guide:

  1. Select a Service Provider: Identify a reliable background screening company that aligns with your business size, industry, and financial parameters.
  2. Credential Your Business: Most CRAs will require businesses to verify their legitimacy before they are permitted to access services.
  3. Obtain Candidate Consent: Legally, written permission from job candidates is mandatory before any background check can be performed. Reputable platforms typically manage this electronically for efficiency.
  4. Order the Check: Use the online system to select the candidate and determine the necessary checks, such as criminal history, employment verification, and educational background.
  5. Review Results: Most platforms deliver results quickly—generally within a few minutes to a day—displayed in an easily comprehensible format on dashboards.
  6. Make Employment Decisions: If issues arise in the background check, be prepared to handle them fairly and comprehensively, especially if they relate to protected characteristics such as disability.

When conducting DIY background checks, compliance is paramount. Small business owners must adhere to the following legal considerations:

  • FCRA Compliance: Ensure that the business obtains written authorization from the candidate before carrying out background checks. Provide adequate notice to candidates if adverse actions are taken based on background check results.
  • Data Security and Confidentiality: Candidate data must be safeguarded, accessed solely by authorized personnel to protect sensitive information.
  • State and Local Laws: Small businesses must be cognizant of specific regulations, such as “ban the box” laws and other jurisdictional provisions.

Benefits of Using DIY Background Check Tools

The advantages of using DIY background check tools are numerous:

  • Affordability: Background check packages begin at under $30, making it a viable option even for the most budget-conscious small employers.
  • Speed: Many platforms offer near-instant results, significantly reducing hiring delays and helping businesses onboard talent effectively.
  • Ease of Use: With paperless and mobile-ready platforms, small business owners can manage background checks on the go, facilitating a more agile recruitment process.

Conclusion

By leveraging the tools and techniques available for DIY background checks, small businesses can fortify their recruitment processes, ensuring that they make informed hiring decisions while remaining compliant with legal regulations. With options like GoodHire and Checkr at their disposal, businesses can effectively streamline their screening processes and improve hiring confidence.

At Exact Background Check, we excel in providing tailored background check solutions that meet the varied needs of small to medium-sized enterprises. Our expertise in AI consulting and workflow automation enhances recruitment strategies, minimizing risk and maximizing efficiency. For specialized assistance or to learn more about how we can support your recruitment efforts, don’t hesitate to contact us. Let us help you take the next step toward building a safer and more competent workforce!

FAQ

  • What are DIY background checks? DIY background checks refer to the process where employers conduct their own background investigations on job candidates using various online tools and platforms.
  • Are DIY background checks legal? Yes, as long as businesses comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act and obtain written consent from candidates before performing the checks.
  • How long do background checks take? Many platforms provide results within minutes to a day, depending on the depth of the checks requested.
  • What information is typically included in a background check? Common elements include criminal history, employment verification, identity verification, and education background.
  • Can I use a DIY background check for all positions? Yes, DIY background checks can be used for various types of positions, but it’s crucial to tailor the checks based on the specific role and industry.