How Long Should BS7858 Vetting Take?
You generally have a period of 12 weeks to complete bs7858 vetting, and if your background check is being done by Deploi you can expect this in much less: our average is less than 5 days to clear from submission. This isn’t the norm however, many other vetting companies will take significantly longer, which can harm your chances of keeping your candidate engaged.
Realistically, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is. You can estimate how long your candidate will take based on a couple of things:
Do they have any gaps in their employment? These can require extensive conversations with candidates to determine what eligible activities they can evidence instead
Have they worked continuously in the UK? If so, they can access their HMRC history which will provide instant verification
Will they rely solely on references for evidence? If so, the time it takes to clear will be entirely dependent on how quickly third parties communicate with the screening team.
Is the candidate responsive? If they take time to get bck to you, they’ll take time to get back to us.
Is your screening provider tech-powered? There are still many companies out there performing extensive manual actions and not looking at optimising their processes. At Deploi, we use integrations and continuous development to ensure no time is wasted in terms of getting candidates cleared.
If you want to impact your vetting time, take a look at our candidate tips below.
1. Be Honest and Transparent
Accurate Information: Ensure all the information provided to us is accurate and truthful. Double-check dates, job titles, and responsibilities. Do not worry too much if you cannot remember all of the dates, we will look into this and try to fix this if possible.
Disclosure: If you have a criminal record or other potentially problematic history, be upfront about it. Provide context and explain any steps you've taken to address or improve the situation. Do not fail to disclose criminal convictions if asked. Honesty is crucial, and many employers are willing to consider the context and time since the offence.
2. Prepare Your Documents
Gather Necessary Documentation: Have copies of your academic transcripts, employment records, certificates, and any other relevant documents ready. Again, do not worry if you do not have all of the requested documents. Depending on the activity, we may be able to contact references for a written confirmation.
Reference Contacts: Prepare a list of references and inform them in advance that they might be contacted. Ensure their contact information is current.
3. Review Your Online Presence
Clean Up Social Media: Review your social media profiles for any unprofessional content and adjust privacy settings if necessary.
Professional Online Profiles: Ensure your LinkedIn profile and other professional online profiles are up-to-date.
4. Be Prompt and Cooperative
Timely Responses: Respond promptly to requests for additional information or documentation. Your delayed replies will only delay your application from being complete! Promptness shows responsibility and eagerness for the position.
Clear Communication: Maintain clear and open communication with the hiring company and the background check agency especially if you are experiencing any issues that may hinder your progress i.e personal matters / technical issues.
5. Address Any Red Flags Proactively
Explain Gaps: Be ready to explain any gaps in employment or unusual circumstances in your activity history.
Mitigate Concerns: Provide context for any potential red flags, such as job changes or periods of unemployment, immigration or work authorisation issues, negative feedback from previous employers etc in a positive and constructive manner.
6. Stay Calm and Professional
Stay Calm: Approach the background check process calmly and professionally, even if you anticipate potential issues.
Professional Demeanour: Maintain a professional demeanour in all interactions with the employer and background check agency.
If you’d like to benefit from our screening times and processes, email us for a chat at info@deploi.uk
