Yardstik brings better trust and safety tools for companies that need to quickly screen, verify, and hire people at scale.
Yardstik's integration with Greenhouse Recruiting allows you to order and review background check screenings for candidates. To use this integration, you need a Yardstik account and to be a Site Admin in Greenhouse.
Configure the Yardstik integration
Create the "Yardstik Package" custom Job field
Create a custom Job field so recruiters can select the Yardstik Account Package for a candidate. Once you are connected (Step 4), this field automatically fills with all of your available Yardstik Account Packages.
In Greenhouse, click the Configure icon in the navigation bar, then go to Custom Options > Jobs and click Add Field:
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Field Name =
Yardstik Package- Enter the field name exactly as shown above, including capitalization and spacing. The integration matches on this name, so a different name or a typo will stop background checks from being ordered. Do not rename it later.
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Field Type = Single-select, with one option of
None.- Note: The field type cannot be changed after saving.
- Check required.
- Check Mark Private.
- Click Save.
Note: Requires Site Admin, or a Job Admin who can manage custom fields. Greenhouse's instructions: Add a custom Job field.
Create the "Yardstik BGC" hiring stage
Add a hiring stage that triggers the background check. Moving a candidate into this stage is what orders the check (wired up in Step 3).
Interview plans are configured per Job, so repeat this for every job that should use background checks.
In Greenhouse, go to All Jobs > {Job Name} and click Job Setup.
In the Job's Interview Plan, click Edit stages, then Add stage.
Create a new stage and name it Yardstik BGC.
Position in the plan — wherever the check belongs in your process; position does not affect the trigger.
Note: Creating a custom stage requires the "Create new Job stage names" permission in Greenhouse. Greenhouse's instructions: Interview plan overview.
Note: Stage-name matching ignores capitalization and spacing, and matches any stage whose name contains "Yardstik BGC" — so an existing stage like "Yardstik BGC Screening" works without renaming.
Create the order webhook
This lets Greenhouse notify Yardstik when a candidate reaches the "Yardstik BGC" stage.
First, set up the Yardstik side. In the Yardstik app, go to Developer Tools > Integrations > Greenhouse:
In Yardstik Custom Field Name, enter Yardstik Package — the exact name of the custom Job field you created in Step 1 — then click Update.
Under Your API Key, click the copy icon and keep the value handy. You will paste it into the webhook below.
Note: Only click Re-Generate if you do not have a key yet, or you intend to replace the existing one. Regenerating invalidates the old key and breaks anything already using it.
Note: You will return to this same page in Step 4 to authorize the connection.
Then create the webhook. In Greenhouse, go to Dev Center > Webhooks and fill in the Create A New Webhook form:
Name this webhook = Yardstik integration
When = change this from its default to Candidate has changed stage.
This is why Step 2 creates the "Yardstik BGC" stage — so the order fires once, when a candidate enters that stage.
Endpoint URL (the Yardstik order endpoint) = https://api.yardstik.com/greenhouse/api/order
Secret key = leave blank (the Yardstik API key is sent as a header instead — see below)
Error recipient email = optional (an address to notify on delivery failures)
Associated Partner = None
Click Advanced settings, then under Additional Settings > Additional HTTP Headers, add your Yardstik API key as a header: x-yardstik-api-key: {your-yardstik-api-key}
Maximum Attempts = leave at the default (6)
Deactivated? = leave set to No
Click Create Webhook.
Authorize Yardstik (connect your account)
This is the final step, it connects your Greenhouse account to Yardstik so background-check status notes post back and your package options sync. You do not need to switch the integration on yourself — authorizing turns it on.
Note: Before you start, choose this admin carefully — their name appears on every note. Status notes are posted using this account, and Greenhouse displays them under that account's name, so recruiters will see each background-check update attributed to it. Two things follow:
- The account needs permission to add private notes on candidates.
- If the account is later deactivated in Greenhouse, you may need to repeat Step 4 with an active admin to keep notes posting.
If you have a dedicated service account in Greenhouse, consider using it here rather than an individual's account.
In the Yardstik app, open the Greenhouse integration page (Developer Tools > Integrations > Greenhouse).
Click Authorize.
You are taken to Greenhouse to sign in — sign in as a Site Admin (a non-admin cannot complete this).
Review and approve the requested permissions.
You are returned to Yardstik, and the integration card shows AUTHORIZED. Yardstik then finishes the connection and fills your "Yardstik Package" field with your available packages.
The connection stays active on its own.
Confirm you are live
You are set up. To confirm the connection is working end-to-end:
Move a test candidate into the "Yardstik BGC" stage on a Job that has the Yardstik Package field set (after the custom field was created, you can now select the Yardstik Package for the Job in the Job Info section).
A background check is ordered, and within a short time a private note appears on the candidate in Greenhouse as the report progresses.
The private note appearing on the candidate is the definitive confirmation. It means the order reached Yardstik and status is posted back to Greenhouse.
No other action is needed from here, ordering is part of your normal Greenhouse workflow.
Additional resources
For additional support, reach out to https://yardstik.com/support/.