You have successfully passed the interview, reached an agreement on your salary, and even imagined how to make your new office more attractive. However, there is still one last barrier to overcome: the background check. 

It has been weeks since you provided your information, and now you are in a frustrating limbo, constantly checking your email and wondering if you have been overlooked. 

If you are in the UK, this wait could be particularly painful.  

Most times, companies and candidates are expecting a rapid digital process, but the truth behind a thorough, compliant background check is more complicated. Sometimes it is not even the case that the applicant is rejected simply because of a delay in processing. 

The knowledge of the “why” behind the wait is an excellent source of support, turning anxiety to patience and even proactive action.

The Analysis of a Delay

A background check consists of a sequence of verifications. Just like any other chain, it won’t be faster than its slowest link. Below are the most common points of friction in the UK.

1. The Type and Tier of DBS Check

Multiplying this by the number of applications is the main reason for most delays. The Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) works at different speeds:

• Basic DBS Checks: These are the quickest and usually processed in under 48 hours. The delay in this case comes from the employer or agency that is submitting the application, not the DBS processing.
• Standard & Enhanced DBS Checks: These are the ones where the timeframes get elongated. This process does not solely involve the DBS but also the local police to obtain that essential “additional information,” and they need to do their checks first. The time taken at this stage varies greatly across the police, but more so, it is a laborious process. Where one policing area is experiencing high volumes of applications or is short-staffed, that area can contribute weeks of delay to the entire process. No timelines are set up to measure the duration of each step.

2. The Great Reference Chase

Possibly the most unpredictable part. The verification process depends on the speed of the HR department of your previous employer or that of your referee.

• Slow Response Times: Many HR departments process references once a week or even once a month. There is a chance that your request is pending in a queue.
• Policy Limitations: Most of the time, big firms hire a third-party service to manage references, or, if they have their own system, they only reveal the employment period through it, which takes a long time and gives no detailed reference.
• Gaps and Discrepancies: In case you do not remember an exact date, the employer must do extra research. If a former company no longer exists, the verifier must perform more actions to confirm your employment, and this can take a long time.  

3. International Components

Did you complete your studies, work, or live in another country during the past five years? This will definitely extend your timeline.

• International Criminal Record Checks: This entails dealing with foreign embassies or police forces, which involves a lot of difficulties, such as time zones, languages, and completely different legal systems. In some cases, the countries ask for personal applications or notarised documents.
• Overseas Qualification Verification: Confirming a degree from a foreign university takes direct communication and may be affected by academic holidays and time differences. 

4. Court and University Backlogs

Even domestic checks face systemic delays. 

• County Court Judgements (CCJs) & Insolvency Service: Official searches can be slowed by public sector backlogs. 
• University Verification: During graduation periods or holiday breaks, university verification teams can be inundated, causing significant delays in confirming academic credentials. 

5. The Human Element: Your Application

Small errors on your form are a major cause of hold-ups. 

• Incomplete Address History: A missing postcode or flat number for a previous address can trigger a manual review or a request for clarification. 
• Name Discrepancies: Using a middle name on one document but not on another, or having a maiden name not fully documented, can force the screening company to pause and seek confirmation. 
• Missing Documentation: If you were asked for a scan of your visa or degree certificate and didn’t provide it, the clock stops until you do.

What Can You Do? Steps to (Potentially) Speed Things Up

Betting that police backlogs won’t affect you, you can work to be the best-organized part of the process.

1. Be Preemptively Accurate: Even before applying, have a document with your complete address history (postcodes included) for the last 5 to 10 years and your employment dates (in months and years) ready.
2. Notify Your Referees: Before submitting the references, inform your selected referees about it. Provide them with the context, double-check their work email that is currently valid, and kindly let them know that they should expect a request. This will significantly increase the chances of getting a quick reply.
3. Collect International Evidence: If your case has some international aspect, secure copies of your overseas diploma, visa stamps, or employment contracts beforehand. Being able to produce them when asked can save days.
4. React at Once: Treat the question from the screening company or your would-be employer as a top priority and respond right away. A one-day delay on your part might mean a week longer in the whole process if it misses a weekly processing batch.
5. Request a Status Update (Politely): It is perfectly okay to get in touch with the hiring manager or recruiter after 10-14 working days. To make it sound positive, try this: “I’m really looking forward to the opportunity and want to make sure everything is going smoothly on my part. Is there further information I can provide to help with the background check procedure?”

When a Delay Might Signal a Problem 

Most delays are related to administration, but a long silence could be an indicator of a problem. If more than a month has passed with no contact after you have actively pursued this, it is advisable to directly ask the hiring manager if the position is still open and if the process is still going on.

Final Thoughts

A comprehensive background check in the UK is a meticulous process that often involves a lot of manual work, and it is a very important process from a legal standpoint. The purpose of this process is to guarantee safety and compliance, not to try your patience—although it sometimes feels that way. 

By having a clear understanding of the complex and sometimes hidden process going on behind the scenes and by being a well-prepared and proactive candidate, you can play your part in making the process as smooth and quick as possible. The delay is often a sign of thoroughness rather than rejection. 

In the case of employers, long delays are usually the result of manual processes and waiting on the part of third parties. The integrated vetting system of Smart Workforce has made it possible to have a speedy process. 

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