At Harver, we know reference checks shouldn’t feel like roadblocks—for candidates or employers. That’s why we’ve reimagined the Checkster Candidate Portal from the ground up, delivering a cleaner interface, smoother workflows, and enhanced clarity at every step.
With this update, candidates get a more intuitive experience, and employers get what they care about most: higher completion rates, more accurate responses, and fewer support tickets.
What’s Changing and Why These Enhancements Matter
The updated Checkster Candidate Portal isn’t just a visual refresh—it’s a strategic upgrade that strengthens your entire hiring process.
Here’s what’s new:
For Employers, these updates deliver a more reliable and efficient reference-check experience end-to-end. With clearer workflows and improved data accuracy, employers can expect higher completion rates, cleaner rater information, and fewer manual follow-ups. The new UI also strengthens your employer brand, giving candidates a polished, modern experience that reflects the professionalism of your organization.
Candidates benefit from a smoother, more intuitive journey—from account creation to inviting raters to tracking progress. The refreshed interface offers faster navigation, better mobile usability, and a more transparent view of each checkup. Combined with clearer guidance and flexible options, candidates gain confidence and control throughout the process, resulting in fewer barriers and a more positive experience overall.
Video: Checkster
A Simpler, More Intuitive Account Setup
Frictionless Account Creation
Here’s what you can expect:
- Faster onboarding with pre-filled candidate information
- Fewer questions or errors during setup
- A smoother start to the reference-check journey
Candidates simply set a password, select their preferred platform language, and agree to the terms. For returning users, the portal automatically recognizes their information and prompts a quick sign-in or password reset—no duplicate accounts, no lost progress.
Legal compliance made simple: Every system message includes a legally required opt-out link. If selected accidentally, candidates can easily log in again or contact support to re-open access.
A Clear, Guided Candidate Journey From Start to Finish
A Modern Interface With Step-by-Step Clarity
Key enhancements include:
- Clearer status labels: New, Started, Completed, Closed, Opted-Out
- Easy access to multiple checkups: Candidates can manage requests from different employers in one hub
- Progress visibility: Stay informed with real-time updates and daily status notifications
All of that means you’ll see:
- Higher completion rates thanks to reduced confusion
- More candidates staying engaged through each step
- A stronger, more polished candidate experience that reflects back on your brand
Improved Rater Management Tools
Inviting Raters Made Easy
Once candidates accept the legal agreement, they land on a simplified rater invitation page. From here, they can:
- Add rater names
- Choose relationship type (such as Manager, Peer, Direct Report)
- Select delivery method: email, SMS, or both
- Customize email invitations (per rater)
- Preview SMS messages
- Send reminders or thank-you notes
Every entry is validated to reduce errors—phone numbers, email addresses, and required fields are checked in real time.
Expect meaningful improvements like:
- More accurate rater information from the start
- Better candidate ownership of their rater outreach
- Fewer manual follow-ups needed by your hiring teams
Employer-Added Raters
If an employer has pre-selected specific raters, the portal now clearly prompts candidates to invite these individuals first. This avoids skipped or overridden requests, keeping your process consistent and compliant.
What this means for you:
- More consistency in who completes the reference
- No missed or overridden employer-selected raters
- A compliant process that stays aligned with your expectations
Editing and Monitoring Made Easier
Managing Rater Information
Candidates can edit or delete rater details—unless the rater was added by the employer or has already completed the survey. This gives candidates flexibility while preserving data quality.
Real-Time Status Tracking
Candidates can see when raters are invited, have started, or have completed the reference. They can also send manual reminders to encourage timely responses.
With this update, you’ll notice:
- Cleaner, more reliable rater records
- Reduced back-and-forth with candidates
- Better visibility into who has been invited, responded, or completed the check
Enhanced Accessibility and Language Options
Multilingual UI, Regardless of Survey Language
Candidates can set their preferred portal language at any time (without affecting the survey or report language chosen by the employer). The login page remains available in English for universal access.
These new language options translate into:
- A more welcoming portal for candidates worldwide
- Easier navigation for users with assistive technology
- A more equitable experience without extra configuration on your end
A More Empowering Candidate Profile Experience
A clear, intuitive profile area helps candidates stay in control of their information, notifications, and preferences.
From the profile menu, candidates can now easily:
- Update their name and password
- Choose their preferred language
- Manage notification settings
- Access the Candidate Help Center
- Log out and return later using the employer’s link
Which ultimately gives you:
- More accurate candidate details
- Fewer support inquiries
- A self-service experience that keeps candidates engaged and informed
What’s Coming Next
This release is part of our ongoing mission to deliver thoughtful, candidate-first experiences that help employers hire confidently and fairly. Check out another one of our recent Checkster enhancements, Automated Fraud Handling.
Expect continued improvements to reporting, customization, and communication workflows throughout the year.
You’ll be seeing the refreshed Candidate Portal in January. Log in to your Checkster dashboard or reach out to your Harver representative for a personalized walkthrough.
