A pre-employment background check can result in the loss of a job opportunity for a variety of reasons, ranging from a criminal record to bad reviews from former bosses. Today, the vast majority of employers conduct thorough background checks on their candidates before making a formal hiring decision. Even if you have a job offer on the table, it may be conditional on you going through a background check first. Suffice it to say that these checks are a crucial part of the job interview process and can have an impact on your chances of getting the job of your dreams.
If you’ve never had a background check before, you may not precisely know what employers are looking for (or finding) in your past. You’ll find yourself asking questions such as “What are they learning about me?” or “Should I worry about not getting a job because of this? Both of these questions are valid. To help you answer them, here are the most common explanations of why your background check has hurt your chances of getting a job.
An Extensive Criminal History
One of the first things employers look for when conducting background checks on their candidates is a criminal record. The mere existence of a criminal conviction on your file does not necessarily mean that you will be excluded from consideration for employment. Most employers will not view older offenses or convictions as market breakers, and people who are not repeated offenders are regularly given the benefit of the doubt that they are trying to rebuild their lives after an offense. Violent criminals, sex offenders, notorious repeat offenders, or con artists are just some of the groups that regularly lose job offers as a result of criminal background checks.
Bad Reviews from Previous Employers
As part of a background check, hiring managers won’t just call the references you’ve listed to speak on your behalf, but they’ll also probably try to talk with your former bosses. There’s an apparent reason for this: your prospective employer wants to hear how you operate on a day-to-day basis. Are you friendly or a hard worker? Is your work of high quality? These are a few of the types of questions that a hiring manager might wish to ask your former bosses, to get an idea of what kind of experience they would have with you as an employee.
Lies on Your Resume
Background checks are great for uncovering an applicant’s criminal history, but they might be even better for unmasking bits of dishonesty on the resume or job application. Maybe you claimed a college degree that you don’t really have, or perhaps you lied about a previous job title or hire date. Between background checks and employment or educational verification checks, an employer has a good chance of finding out if you lied on your resume. And if you did, even if the fib was minor and seemingly inconsequential to you, it can still cost you a job opportunity. After all, what boss wants to hire a person they know is willing to lie to them?
Revealed Issues on Your Driving Record
As with credit history, driving records are not something that every employer is going to look at. If you are going to be operating a vehicle as part of your job, then a driving history check should and will be a part of the applicant screening process. A speeding ticket or two shouldn’t hurt you. Still, if you’ve been charged with reckless driving or with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, then you’ll be out of the applicant pool as quickly as the hiring manager can shred your application.
Poor Credit History
Not all employers will look into your credit history. For jobs that involve the handling of money or finances, though, you might find yourself approving a credit history check. Quite only, your prospective employer wants to know how you have handled your own funds in the past. And in such situations, substantial amounts of debt or evident money issues can mark you as someone who is not responsible enough for the job at hand.
Also, remember that if you do lose a job opportunity because of a background check, you have a right to know why. The employer needs to provide you with a written explanation for the decision, and you’re legally permitted to request a free copy of the background check report that cost you the job. If the description was inaccurate, you can dispute the findings and get your name cleared so that you have a better shot at getting the job next time around.
Are you looking to implement background checks as part of your hiring process? Look no further than Brevard Background Check for seamless and accredited professional pre-employment screening services. They’ll help you hire the most qualified applicants, reduce your hiring risks, and ensure your brand’s integrity with the right business leaders.