Can I fail a background check?

Can I Fail a Background Check?

Job seekers are subject to background checks, and if you have failed one, you may not understand why. The following outlines the possible reasons for failing the check and how to pass the next time around.

Relevant Criminal Conviction
Under law, an employer can refuse to hire you on the basis of a criminal conviction only if the offense is related to the job you are applying for. A conviction in itself will not necessarily prevent you from being hired.

Criminal Record and High-Security Position
If you have applied for a job that requires a high security clearance, and you have a conviction, you will be disqualified before you reach the clearance check. This can happen because of a major offense or those related to addiction, mental health issues, sex offenses or cyber crime.

Poor Credit Score
If an employer conducts a credit check and discovers your poor credit score, you can be refused a job, especially if it is related to money. In some cases, a failure in this area will not bar you from employment because a poor credit history can be related to a divorce, someone dying or a youthful mistake. These circumstances will be taken under consideration.

Dishonorable Discharge
Even though the details of a discharge are limited during a background check, an employer may see it as a character problem and deny you a job. While a denial for a dishonorable discharge can happen with any company, it is more common for financial or high-security positions.

Inaccurate History
You may not remember all of your work or education history to the exact day, but if you say you graduated from a college that has no record of you, the background check will fail. Try to be as accurate as possible.

The best way to avoid being denied a job is speak honestly about your history during the interview process.