In the competitive landscape of any modern business, selecting the right employees for the right jobs is crucial for success. Companies worldwide rely on background screening to help ensure the trustworthiness and qualifications of their workforce. Among the leading players in this industry is First Advantage, a global provider of employment background screening and verification solutions. Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, First Advantage performs screens in over 200 countries and territories on behalf of its approximately 33,000 customers. At the helm of First Advantage’s HR function stands Michael Pilnick, the company’s Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO), who brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to fostering a vibrant and effective corporate culture.
First Advantage: A Global Leader in Background Screening
First Advantage doesn’t just offer a run-of-the-mill value proposition; its products and solutions help ensure that job applicants at all levels are who they claim to be. They are the guardians of authenticity. As Pilnick aptly puts it, “We make sure that people are who and what they say they are, and that reality matches their resume.” But First Advantage’s scope goes far beyond mere background checks. This global powerhouse completed over 100 million screens in 2022 and provides an extensive array of applicant background checks and screening solutions tailored to organizations of all sizes, from nimble startups to sprawling international enterprises.
Their influence extends across an impressive spectrum of industries, leaving no stone unturned. From the bustling realms of retail and hospitality to the intricate landscapes of healthcare, financial and business services, manufacturing, staffing, small business, technology, and the ever-moving world of transportation.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. First Advantage doesn’t stop at background screening; they’re here to cover many other ancillary areas in adjacent service spaces. Their offerings span DOT driver compliance support services, Form I-9 services, biometrics and identity, education, work verifications, drug and alcohol screening for employment, to name a few. Think of them as a critical part in the employee life cycle, neatly connecting the dots between the tantalizing job offer and the momentous first day on the job.
In a world that’s constantly evolving, First Advantage thrives on technology and harnesses the power of information services. They don’t shy away from the complexities of their domain; in fact, they embrace them. Operating within a landscape brimming with statutory regulations spanning various countries, First Advantage stands tall as a leader in the global marketplace.
Michael Pilnick: The Journey to CHRO
Pilnick’s journey to becoming the CHRO at First Advantage is a testament to his diverse career experiences and unwavering commitment to organizational culture. He began as a history teacher for the Navajo Nation and later transitioned into a career in human resources. His background in Cultural Anthropology instilled in him a deep appreciation for culture, which he later leveraged to help shape M&A’s and First Advantage’s unique organizational culture.
“I’ve been a career HR professional, but I’ve also run a few different businesses as well,” says Pilnick. His specific blend of experiences, including teaching US History on the Navajo Nation in Arizona and working in all areas of human capital management, enabling him to relate to First Advantage’s clients, who are also HR professionals. He reveres the company’s highest goal of helping people secure jobs and focus on workplace safety worldwide. This goal provides our culture-employees with an intrinsic motivation that is hard to replicate. More specifically, the company’s mission statement is, “We endeavor to transform our clients’ process of identifying trustworthiness for employment, residential, and vendor decisions. We endeavor to achieve this by creating innovative, customer-centric solutions and a simple and positive applicant experience. We endeavor to have the solutions be delivered globally, with excellence and high integrity, by engaged, collaborative, and empowered professionals.”
First Advantage operates in a complex business environment with a strong emphasis on technology and information services. Pilnick was introduced to First Advantage by a colleague, and his journey with the company has spanned over a decade, during which he has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s culture and HR practices.
Key Initiatives and Opportunities
First Advantage’s forward-looking initiatives focus on speed, accuracy, and leveraging technology to provide better services to clients. The company manages vast amounts of data with high levels of security and compliance while also striving to be environmentally responsible. In addition to its environmental efforts, First Advantage is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI).
Pilnick highlights their unique approach to DEI, involving employees globally in steering committees to address DEI issues specific to each region. This approach helps to ensure that DEI initiatives are tailored to the unique cultural contexts of various countries, avoiding the pitfall of imposing a one-size-fits-all approach. Their approach is that “diversity helps to hire employees and inclusion keep employees engaged and committed”.
The company also supports Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), such as ABC (African, Black, and Caribbean group), Women @ FA, PRIDE, Generations, etc. These ERGs contribute to the company’s culture by addressing the unique needs and perspectives of various employee groups.
First Advantage’s HR team strives to strengthen talent management, ensuring that they can tap into their global employee population’s diverse skills and language proficiencies. The company values its commitment to sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives and emphasizes transparency in sharing these efforts with stakeholders.
ENVIRONMENTAL – As a global company, First Advantage is acutely aware of their environmental impact. The company’s distributed workforce model has thoughtfully reduced the company’s facility footprint. Notably, First Advantage has no vehicle fleet or significant direct fuel consumption.
SOCIAL – Operating across borders, diversity is at the core of the company. They are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that upholds equal opportunity, safety, and health. The organization actively engages with communities that champion human rights, combat child labor, and the company seeks to collaborate with vendors who share these values.
GOVERNANCE – First Advantage is dedicated to ethical behavior and compliance. Their policies are upheld with the support and oversight of their Board of Directors and executive leadership. As information processors, they employ robust and best practice cybersecurity measures.
Leading Through Major Changes
First Advantage’s swift transition to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic is a testament to the company’s adaptability and resilience. The organization’s commitment to learning and development allowed it to quickly adapt while maintaining productivity.
First Advantage has fully embraced collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, enhancing communication and workflow efficiency. The company values the flexibility remote work provides to employees, allowing them to balance work and family life more effectively.
The Ideal Team Member – Is First Advantage for you?
First Advantage values team members who exhibit initiative, collaboration, innovation, and a commitment to lifelong learning. Pilnick states, “If you like to solve problems, take charge and you’ve got the initiative, this is a great place for you.” The organization empowers its employees to take ownership of their work and encourages them to be proactive problem solvers. Collaboration and innovation are deeply ingrained in the company’s culture, and employees are encouraged to find better ways of doing things.
The company also values individuals who are attracted to responsible risk-taking, willing to challenge the status quo, and are results-driven. A strong sense of empowerment runs through the organization, allowing employees to take ideas and run with them. In Pilnick’s words, “You must be able to be the person that says how can I get this done differently, better, quicker, and faster. Can I find a better way that’s not disruptive to the company or our clients to on-board candidates faster?” The culture at First Advantage is one of empowerment, and employees are encouraged to make a positive impact. This culture fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility, ultimately contributing to the company’s success.
First Advantage’s journey to becoming a global leader in background screening services and employee verification is a testament to its commitment to excellence, innovation, and building a unique organizational culture. With Pilnick in place as the Chief Human Resources Officer, the company continues to excel in its mission to help organizations make informed hiring decisions while fostering a culture of transparency, collaboration, and client-centricity. By staying true to its core values and embracing change, First Advantage is poised for continued success in the dynamic landscape of global background screening and employee verification services. For more information about First Advantage, take a look at the compelling information on their 2022 Sustainability Report.
