Why a Verticalized Background Screening Vendor Matters

Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of presenting at Collaborate, First Advantage’s annual background screening conference and HR leader peer-to-peer networking meeting for our customers, partners, and guests. In my session, I discussed our strong verticalization model, and how our customers tell us they benefit not only from having experts within their own verticals, but also from learning about best practices from other industries.

Verticalization refers to structuring teams and services around specific industries, such as healthcare, transportation, technology, retail, and the gig economy. While not a new idea, it has become increasingly relevant in background screening as employers deal with growing complexity in regulation, hiring models, and candidate expectations.

As verticalization becomes a buzzword, more providers are claiming industry specialization. But many simply apply basic segmentation or assign account managers by industry — without aligning product development, compliance resources, or operational support.

Here are three compelling reasons why partnering with a verticalized background screening vendor now stands as a strategic advantage:

1. Deeper Industry Understanding Makes Screening More Relevant

Each industry comes with its own regulatory requirements, risk profiles, and hiring challenges. A verticalized screening provider aligns its operations, compliance practices, and support functions directly to employers’ specific needs.

For example, healthcare-specific screening customers may need rapid credential verification and exclusion list checks, while transportation screening solutions have a stronger focus on DOT compliance and continuous monitoring. A screening team immersed in your industry can streamline these processes, mitigate downstream risk, and increase trust and confidence in your screening partner.

2. Cross-Industry Insights Support Better Benchmarking and Risk Awareness

While knowledge is critical for an industry-specific screening vendor, many risks — like changes in data privacy laws or increasing automation in hiring — cut across sectors. Screening providers who work across multiple verticals can offer you context on how these emerging issues are handled in other fields, so you can leverage best practices across the board.

That broad view also allows for stronger benchmarking. Companies can understand how their performance (e.g., turnaround times, dispute rates, or candidate drop-off) compares not just within their industry, but against high-performing peers in other sectors. These insights support better internal decision-making and compliance planning.

3. A Vertical Model Supports Scalable, Adaptive Screening Programs

As organizations grow, enter new markets, or adopt new workforce models, their background screening processes must also evolve. A verticalized provider is equipped to adjust screening programs to better align with industry best practices, rather than offering a generic one-size-fits-all solution. For example, vendors can offer your organization specialized criminal record checks.

This vendor risk management model enables faster adoption of new screening methods, smoother compliance updates, and better alignment with how your teams actually operate. The result is a more resilient and responsive program that grows together with your business, no matter your industry.

Why Not Every “Vertical” Strategy Delivers — and What Sets First Advantage Apart

At First Advantage, our vertical strategy is designed into the structure of our business. Our teams, from Sales to Customer Success to Compliance and Product, are aligned around specific industries. That means our healthcare customers, for example, are supported by professionals who understand credentialing nuances, regulatory pressures, and volume surges during flu season or Joint Commission cycles.

We don’t just know the language of your vertical; we’ve built systems and strategies around it. And because we operate across multiple industries, we also bring a broader perspective that helps our customers anticipate future challenges and adopt innovations faster.

This full-spectrum approach, combining vertical expertise with cross-industry intelligence, is what drives better outcomes for our customers. It’s not just about serving your industry. It’s about helping your business thrive in it.

Final Thought: Fit Matters

Selecting a screening provider isn’t just about checking boxes. Rather, it’s about finding the right long-term fit for your business. A partner with true vertical depth and multi-industry awareness is better positioned to help you navigate risk, compliance, hiring efficiency, and the candidate experience.

If you’re reevaluating your current approach, it may be worth exploring how a verticalized screening vendor can help to improve your outcomes…not just today, but as your organization evolves.

Do you think verticalization matters with your screening vendor? Contact us today and tell us what vertical screening solutions you require.