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Are you an expert at finding, hiring and keeping great individuals on staff? For the human resource expert able to answer to the affirmative, they’re likely worth their weight in gold. Businesses face a number of different challenges when trying to reach their goals, including the ability to drive retention.

A HireRight Benchmark Report points to trends in this area and why workforce optimization software may need to be at the top of your consideration for 2015. According to the report, talent shortage is on the horizon, a key problem as the research also found that 76 percent of participants plan to increase their workforce size; 55 percent plan growth of three percent or more.

This predicted growth shows great promise for the market overall, suggesting that job opportunities are on the uptick. At the same time, it also points to the need to find the right talent and develop programs that keep employees engaged and happy in their roles. But what if who you thought was a great hire, turns out to be something completely different?

HireRight – a customer of solutions leader Coordinated Systems Inc, and user of CSI’s (News - Alert) flagship product, Virtual Observer -- determined that 86 percent of participants find lies or misrepresentations on resumes or job applications and 72 percent reported that typical screening uncovered issues that they wouldn’t have determined otherwise. For these reasons alone, it’s critical that companies conduct background checks and thoroughly vet candidates before even considering them for a first stage interview. A failure to do so can lead to considerable risks that have a high price tag (News - Alert).

For instance, a failure to properly screen for drug usage leaves a company vulnerable to accidents, loss of productivity, escalating costs for health benefits and increased absenteeism. To ensure a safer and more secure environment, it’s not uncommon for contact centers to require drug testing of employees before hire and during employment. The employee who seems perfect on paper yet has a drug problem can greatly affect performance across the board.

When quality employees are found through the right channels and then kept for long periods of time, companies reduce their risk of problems associated with hiring practices as they have no reason to replace lost employees. The growing company has a different challenge, however, as there aren’t employees to replace, but instead effective teams to expand. The same rules still apply – look for the quality candidate and vet properly before bringing them on board.

By following such rules, you’re much better equipped to get full value out of your workforce optimization software. After all, the software won’t do the hiring and retention for you, but it will help you keep the great employees who help you succeed.