Research shows that 35% of candidates abandon hiring processes when background checks take longer than two weeks. In competitive European markets, screening delays aren't just inconvenient—they're expensive. Here's what to watch for:
Weeks-Long Criminal Check Timelines
If power of attorney paperwork is adding 4-6 weeks to your EU criminal background checks, you're likely losing qualified candidates to faster-moving competitors. New approaches now exist that can complete multi-country checks without traditional POA requirements.
Excessive Candidate Paperwork
Every additional form or document request reduces completion rates by 10-15%. When candidates face separate submissions for identity verification, criminal checks, and employment history, friction compounds and dropout increases.
Desktop-Only Submission Requirements
Over 60% of candidates prefer completing screening tasks on mobile devices. Processes that require desktop access for document uploads create unnecessary barriers—especially for younger talent pools.
No Solution for Multi-Country Roles
European businesses routinely hire across borders, yet many screening processes treat each jurisdiction as a separate, manual workstream. Modern platforms should offer unified multi-country capabilities that significantly reduce administrative complexity.
Unclear Expectations Before Screening Begins
When candidates aren't told upfront what the screening process involves — which documents they'll need, how long it will take, and what steps are required — confusion and frustration set in quickly. Clear, detailed instructions before screening starts reduce dropout rates and help candidates prepare, keeping the process moving smoothly.
Inadequate Language Support
Asking candidates to navigate screening in a language they're not fully comfortable with increases errors, delays, and abandonment. In multilingual European markets, offering screening communications and instructions in a candidate's own language significantly improves completion rates and demonstrates respect for the people you're trying to hire.
No Visibility for Candidates
Candidates left without status updates on their screening progress are twice as likely to accept competing offers. Transparency throughout the process is becoming a differentiator in candidate experience.
The reality? Background screening should protect your organization without sabotaging your talent acquisition. When process friction becomes a hiring bottleneck, it's time to reassess.
Here at Scaut we work to ensure there as few delays as possible in your candidates screening process.
