Trust and Data Verification in the Recruitment Process – The case for Blockchain?

The recruitment process in the UK is highly fragmented. There are various channels that employers can use to find candidates, and vice versa, whether it is using of referrals, recruiters or jobsites. The process is fragmented further still by the various processes involved with each different step of the hiring process from attraction to onboarding. 

The recruitment industry has seen an increase in innovation and investment in recent years which has focused predominantly on candidate attraction and the application of AI.

One factor that can be overlooked, however, is that all the aforementioned processes can be later rendered obsolete if the data collected in the earliest stages is found to be incorrect. Essentially, many companies go through a long recruitment process only to find that the candidate shared false information about their own qualifications, skills, or employment history in the first instance.

Candidate verification including identity, education, work experience and certifications is a task that is traditionally geared towards the end of the hiring process.  Given the time and cost to hire, this is perhaps not the natural order?

The time and resource that is being invested into sourcing and attraction is being undermined by the fact that it is not time efficient to check that all candidates are submitting accurate information initially. One solution to this problem is the application of blockchain. Blockchain technology is essentially a way of recording and storing information that is secure, verified and trusted. Information that is logged onto a blockchain can be verified by a community, or the relevant authorised body, and subsequently becomes immutable.

APPII are a start up platform committed to verifying data before the process begins, meaning that recruiters and employers don’t need to check the veracity of candidate’s claims. APPII offers blockchain verified CVs where candidates can collate their employment and qualification history which is then verified by the relevant institutions – businesses, training companies and universities. This speeds up the entire onboarding process not only because it eliminates the need for background research.

Additionally Biometric scanning is being used by APPII to validate identity. Similar to software used at airports – candidates use the mobile app to take a selfie and scan their passport.  APPII then verifies identity. The use of this software in recruitment can also be utilised for Right to Work checks, criminal record checks etc.

Despite its fragmentation, the recruitment sector is currently seeing some great innovation and investment. Quality of data at the beginning of the process has the potential to enhance the benefits of HR software, ATS systems and Recruiting models due to the reliability of the data.  Benefits for the employer include trusted data, reduced time / cost per hire and quicker onboarding.  

Blockchain is a solution that is revolutionising a myriad of industries in ways that are vastly different to its applications in the recruitment world, but the premise is always the same: blockchain makes sure that data is trusted, secure and stored safely.