Gone are the days of endless qualified candidates vying for limited positions. Today, industries must grapple with a new and persistent obstacle –staffing shortage. On one hand, companies are managing a staggering 8.8 million job openings, yearning for qualified individuals to fill the void. Conversely, a rising remote work trend, with nearly 20% of the workforce operating virtually, throws a wrench into traditional vetting methods like background checks and drug screening. 

This combination of labor shortage and scattered talent creates a complex hiring ecosystem for recruiters, staffing agencies, and HR professionals. The cost of a bad hire can be financially threatening, wasting resources and disrupting workflows, with the average cost per new hire sitting at more than $4,700. An employer and their staffing agency’s success strategy hinges on having a robust, efficient, affordable, and continuous employee screening strategy.

While a resume paints a self-portrait of an applicant’s qualifications, it often lacks the depth and accuracy needed for informed hiring decisions. This is where employee screening offers crucial insights beyond what a resume may reveal. Background checks can verify a candidate’s education, training, employment, and criminal history. It will also help identify any red flags, such as terminations for cause or gaps in employment. By providing this complete picture of a candidate’s background, these checks can help employers make more informed hiring decisions while pivoting when risks are alerted.

The Hidden Threat: Resume Fraud and the Power of Smarter Screening
Hidden beneath the flurry of applications lurks a significant portion of resumes containing embellished or fabricated information. A recent ResumeLab survey revealed that 70% of Americans have admitted to bending the truth on their resumes at least once, with 37% saying they lie frequently. This puts companies at risk of problematic hires and potential legal consequences. Fortunately, thorough screening conducted by accredited firms streamlines recruiting workflows while ensuring qualified candidates are accepted.

Traditional screening methods often fall short; manual processes are time-consuming and error-prone, while generic background checks offer limited insights. This can lead to mismatched placements, increased turnover, and reputational damage for both the employer and the staffing agency. To truly bridge the gap, staffing agencies must embrace an efficient employee screening solutions provider that acts as a partner and is critical to achieving scalability, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness. 

Advanced screening solutions offer a variety of benefits, including:

Building Trust and Transparency
The benefits of efficient employee screening extend beyond immediate talent acquisition. Building trust and transparency fosters a positive candidate experience, increases the likelihood of successful placement, builds trust with clients, and enhances competitive edge. This differentiation is critical for success in today’s tight labor market. But a one-size-fits-all approach won’t do. Different roles require different checks, and modern solutions allow for customization. Partnering with a staffing agency equipped with modern, user-friendly technology keeps businesses and candidates informed, accelerates the onboarding process, and enables confident hiring decisions.

Hiring managers working alongside well-equipped agencies can craft comprehensive screening programs that attract the most qualified candidates, reducing hiring time and optimizing workflows. This frees HR to focus on other crucial tasks, with confidence their screening process is in good hands. From verifying qualifications to criminal records and health status, employee screening fosters a safer, more positive workplace culture while minimizing costly turnover rates.

The modern workforce landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by remote work, changing demographics, and developing skill sets. By embracing efficient and comprehensive employee screening strategies, staffing agencies can become trusted partners in navigating this complex talent pool. 

About the Author

RJ Frasca is Vice President of Channels & Partnerships at Shield Screening, a leading full-service employment screening company specializing in providing quality and dynamic background screening solutions to meet the demands of today’s job market. Frasca brings decades of marketing and product management experience in employee screening to his role at Shield Screening, enabling strategic foresight into emerging industry trends and positioning him as one of the most authoritative thought leaders in the industry.