Common Reasons for Disqualification:
1. You have a poor employment history.
While gaps in employment history may not necessarily be cause for concern, a pattern of unemployment or a string of short-lived jobs may suggest that an applicant is unreliable and not worth investing in. This, however, does not extend to internships, training, or seasonal work, which is seen as an advantage for entry-level positions.
2. You lied on your resume, or there are inconsistencies.
Dishonesty is a huge red flag for employers and might cost you a job opportunity. If they discover that you lied about your education, skills, or qualifications, it will likely be detected during a background check, no matter how well-written or embellished your resume may be.
Employers almost always contact references to verify details about previous jobs, such as the time period you worked there, and to gain an idea of your duties and work ethic. Likewise, a background check can also determine when and where you obtained your degree.
3. You have a criminal history.
A criminal record is one of the first things that employers check when screening applicants and often leads to job applicants being disqualified. However, depending on an employer's hiring standards and the severity of the crime committed, an applicant might still be hired, as long as they make their criminal history known to the employer. That said, minor misdemeanors or incidents that occurred a long time ago may be overlooked, but serious crimes will likely put you out of the running.
4. You received bad references from previous employers.
A good recommendation goes a long way to ensure that you're hired for that job. It allows employers to learn more about your character, work ethic, and overall suitability for a role. But what happens when a former manager badmouths you or gives you a less than shining review? It all depends on the company.
One bad reference may not hurt your chances but multiple bad references will definitely disqualify you. Having said that, because of the risk of defamation lawsuits sought by former employees, many workplaces do not provide information other than work dates, job title, and salary.
5. You have a poor credit history.
Credit checks are usually only performed for financial and federal jobs. So if you are going to be dealing with money extensively, a poor credit history is considered a liability as it might impact your ability to handle money responsibly.
6. You failed a drug or alcohol test.
Drug and alcohol tests are also job-dependent, such as those that require candidates to drive, work with machinery, or perform highly technical duties. If a candidate fails a drug/alcohol test, they might become a liability to the company.
7. You have a bad driving record.
As with credit history and substance tests, your driving history will only be checked if the job requires you to drive. A poor driving record may include multiple citations for speeding, driving under the influence, or a conviction for reckless driving.
8. You have questionable social media activity.
This is a tricky area as there are many rulings and laws in place that protect job candidates' rights when it comes to social media.
While social media screening is not a necessity on a background check, it is legal, and many employers peruse social media, or use screening services, to gain an understanding of a candidate's character beyond the interview.
Employers typically check for hate speech, foul language, or any negative material that may reflect badly on the company and present potential problems in future.
9. You are not entitled to legally work in the United States.
Potential employees must be legally eligible to work in the United States. During the hiring process, all citizens and noncitizens are obliged to complete an Employment Eligibility Form (I-9). Job applicants must present documents verifying their identity and employment authorization to the employer.
FAQs
Inconsistencies may include gaps in your employment history, inaccurate descriptions of duties and responsibilities, inaccurate employment lengths or false employer information. These items may disqualify you from passing an employee background check because of concerns about your work ethic and integrity.
What are some red flags on a background check? ›
Employment History Discrepancies
- Criminal Records. This one might seem like the biggest of red flags, but that's not always true. ...
- Poor Credit History. ...
- Inconsistent Education. ...
- Negative References. ...
- Substance Abuse. ...
- Legal Issues and Litigation. ...
- Social Media Activity. ...
- Poor Fit.
Criminal History Matters Most
Unlike other background check components, criminal history is often considered a more direct indicator of a candidate's character and judgment.
How far back does a background check go in NJ? ›
How Far Back Does an Employment Background Check Go in NJ. In general, the lookback period for background checks in New Jersey is seven years. There are a few exceptions. One such exception is if a candidate stands to earn $75,000 or more, then an employer may look beyond the seven-year standard.
Why did my background check get denied? ›
There are many reasons why a candidate may “fail” a background check, from criminal history to discrepancies in employment or education history, or an unsafe driving record or failed drug test.
How to tell someone they didn't pass the background check? ›
If you're considering not hiring an applicant based on the results of a background screening, you must inform the candidate with a pre-adverse action notice. They must also be provided with a copy of their background check as well as a copy of a “A Summary of Your Rights Under Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA)”.
How worried should I be about a background check? ›
An employment background check is a normal part of the screening process for many jobs. If you've gotten this far in the hiring process and have been honest with your potential employer, you likely don't have to stress about what employers look for in a background check.
What is the orange flag on a background check? ›
Orange not a Red Flag? A bad reference is not always a red flag, requiring immediate rejection, but it is often an orange flag deserving investigation. For example, the most common reason that people are fired is for poor performance/not meeting targets after employee evaluation.
What does a green flag mean on a background check? ›
In general, "green flags" on a background check refer to positive indicators or aspects of a candidate's background that align with the employer's criteria or expectations.
What typically shows up on a background check? ›
The background check includes the following records searches: Criminal Felony and Misdemeanor (past 7 years, all counties, aliases, and maiden names revealed by a social security number trace), National Sex Offender, National Criminal Search, Education (highest degree), and Employment (past 7 years or previous two ...
Criminal record searches are the most common type of background check, but there are many to choose from. Failing to conduct background checks could result in damage to your company brand. The easiest way to conduct background checks is by Using a third-party service or background screening software.
Do job titles show up on a background check? ›
Employers share the data provided by applicants about past job positions. backgroundchecks.com then contacts those companies to verify crucial details about the individual. These details might include: Job titles.
What does a NJ background check show? ›
Criminal background checks in New Jersey can show criminal history records such as misdemeanor and felony convictions, arrests that lead to convictions, and pending criminal cases. Education verification screenings can show schools attended, degrees or courses of study, and graduation dates.
How far do most jobs go back on background checks? ›
Background checks generally cover varying timeframes, such as seven to 10 years for criminal and federal checks, three to seven years for employment verifications, the highest degree earned for education verifications, three to 7 years for MVR checks, and seven years or longer for credit checks based on the position.
Does your criminal record clear after 7 years in NJ? ›
Once automatic procedures are in place, the New Jersey courts will automatically expunge an entire record of arrests and convictions after ten years of living a crime-free life. However, serious crimes are still not eligible for expungement.
What fails a first advantage background check? ›
Common fails in First Advantage background check
Errors in the Reports: Perhaps the most common issue is errors or outdated information in the reports. It could be incorrect reports about a criminal history, errors in educational, financial, or any other information.
What percent of people fail background checks? ›
What percent of people fail background checks? According to the Sterling Talent Solutions' Background Screening Trends & Best Practices Report, most employers only disqualify 5% or less of applicants based on past criminal convictions.
What are the future consequences of failed background check? ›
Inaccurate background check reports can have dire consequences for job seekers, potentially resulting in missed job opportunities and lost income. Employers rely on background checks to assess the trustworthiness and suitability of candidates for a given role.
What happens if a background check can't verify employment? ›
If you suspect the background check has been unable to verify dates of employment for a certain employer, contact the background check company and ask what you can do to facilitate the process. They may ask for additional information, ask you to contact the employer directly, or request copies of your W-2s.
