The background screening industry has a dirty little secret: most companies are paying for screens they don’t need, by no fault of their own. And we’re not talking pennies here—these “extras” are bleeding businesses like yours out of thousands of dollars.
Sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out—but hey, a good level of concern is probably good.
We’ll get into everything you should know. What are unnecessary screens? Are you running them? And, most importantly, how can you stop?
What are unnecessary screens?
Every time you order a background check, multiple screens are run on that candidate. Depending on your package, this could be identity verification, national criminal search, county criminal search, motor vehicle records, drug screens, and more.
When we talk about unnecessary screens, we’re not suggesting you skip screening a candidate entirely—that would be reckless. Unnecessary screens refer to those individual checks that don’t add value, either because the role doesn’t require them or because the candidate was already disqualified earlier in the screening process.
There are two ways unnecessary screens creep in (we’ll explain them below):
- The way your provider’s workflow is set up
- The one-size-fits-all packages many companies rely on
Legacy providers love running every screen, every time—because more screens mean more money for them. Let’s unpack where these extra screens come from and how to ditch them.
Unnecessary screens from your workflow
Here’s how the typical provider workflow goes: you order a report, and they run every screen in the package—no questions, no pauses, no logic. Criminal record check? Run it. Drug screen? Run it. MVR check? You guessed it, run that too. Why? Because every screen they run adds to your bill, and they’re more than happy to cash in.
They don’t tell you that this is their default process. In fact, they count on you not thinking about it at all. But here’s the deal: if your candidate fails an identity verification right out of the gate, why run a pricey drug screen or an in-depth criminal search?
Legacy providers will insist it’s “just how it’s done.”
We’re here to tell you it doesn’t have to be. You can design a smarter, more efficient workflow that stops wasting your budget on unnecessary screens.
Unnecessary screens from your packages
One-size-fits-all might work for socks, but it’s a disaster for screening packages. Not every role needs the same screens, yet many companies stick to a single package for everyone.
Does a delivery driver need the same checks as someone handling financial data? Of course not. Yet, many businesses are paying for screens that don’t align with the role.
And that’s not the only danger here. Sometimes, packages include redundant screens, looking to the same source or database multiple times.
Here are some signs your packages might need a refresh:
- 🚩 You’re hiring for multiple roles but only using one package.
- 🚩 You haven’t reviewed your screening packages in over a year.
- 🚩 You’re not sure what screens are included in your packages.
- 🚩 You don’t regularly check invoices for hidden fees.
- 🚩 You’re using a legacy provider who’s never explained your screening workflow.
Building tailored packages that match the role is key to cutting out unnecessary screens and keeping your budget in check.
How to cut unnecessary screens
One of the biggest reasons companies end up running unnecessary screens is the “run everything at once” approach baked into most workflows. But there’s a better way to screen candidates: Sequential Screening.
Sequential Screening puts logic into the process. Instead of running every screen in your package all at once, you run them in a specific order.
Here’s how it works:
- You set up your workflow based on your priorities—speed, savings, or getting the most important information first.
- When you order a report, screens run in the order you’ve chosen.
- If a disqualifying result comes up at any step, the rest of the screens are canceled—saving you time and money.
- Use this calculator to see how many unnecessary screens you can cut.
It’s a simple idea, but it’s shaking up the industry—and for good reason. Unnecessary screens become a thing of the past. And you get a cost-effective solution that actually makes sense.
Leveraging your provider
If you’re screening in high volume, your provider’s role matters. A hands-off provider that simply runs reports and sends invoices can leave you stuck with inefficiencies you might not even know exist.
A proactive partner, on the other hand, will help you spot those inefficiencies, optimize your workflow, and make sure your screening process is running as lean and effective as possible.
This kind of partner is key to staying ahead of issues and keeping unnecessary costs in check. Whether it’s regularly reviewing your packages, refining your workflow, or flagging hidden fees, a proactive partner ensures your program stays sharp.
Want a provider who helps you level up and save money? As Tracy Fender, Chief Operations Leader at IMKO, puts it, “Yardstik doesn’t wait for you to ask—they’re already on it.”If you want to cut unnecessary screens, let’s talk.