Background checks were always a bottleneck for us, dragging out our hiring timeline by weeks. We kept waiting for paper references and manual verifications. Then we switched to digital background and reference checks through theconsultnow.com. Candidates received a link to provide their details, and references filled out quick surveys online. The result: our average time to clear a candidate dropped from 10 days to 5. This freed us to make offers faster and reduced the risk of losing talent to competitors. Plus, references appreciated the convenience. If you're still using manual background checks, it's worth trying automation.