Applying for a job can be nerve-wracking. After spending time filling out applications and going through interviews, the last thing you want is to be rejected because of your background check. So, how can you tell if you’ve passed your background check?
In this article, we’ll go over some of the ways you can tell if your background check has been cleared. Keep reading to learn more!
How Do I Know If I Passed My Background Check?
Background checks are essential because they will ultimately determine if you are suited for the job or not.
However, the background checking process can be daunting, especially if you’re not sure what to expect.
Here are some ways you can tell if you’ve passed your background check:
- Wait For The Company’s Response
The first and simplest way to tell if you’ve passed your background check is to wait for the company’s response.
If you’ve passed your background check, the hiring company will usually contact you via phone or email to inform you that you’ve been cleared for the job.
If you haven’t heard anything, it’s possible that your background check is still pending. Most companies will conduct a background check after an offer has been made.
So, if you’ve received an offer but haven’t heard anything about your background check, it’s likely that you’ve passed.
- Check The Status Of Your Application
Another way to tell if you’ve passed your background check is to check the status of your application.
If you’re using an online job application system, there is usually a section that lets you know the status of your application. If your background check has been cleared, it will usually say so in this section.
- Ask The Hiring Manager
If you’re not sure if you’ve passed your background check, the best course of action is to simply ask the hiring manager.
They will be able to tell you for sure whether or not you’ve been cleared and, if not, what the next steps are.
Asking the hiring manager is always the best way to get a definite answer.
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How Do I Know If I Failed My Background Check?
If employers want to reject candidates based on background checks, they must abide by specific FCRA rules, which are:
- Requesting formal permission from the applicant for a background check
- Providing written notification to the candidate that information was used against them in background checks
- Proving that the checking company didn’t decide that on the employer’s behalf
- Naming, locating and contacting the background check company that generated the background check report
- Advising the applicant that they have 62 days to obtain a free copy of the background investigation
- Mentioning that the candidate can contact the background check organization to dispute any discrepancies or errors identified in the report
- Making any necessary corrections within 30 days of your disagreement
When an employer sends you a notification that you failed the background check, it will likely state the reasons why and what you can do to correct the information in question.
You then have 62 days to get a free copy of your report and dispute any incorrect or outdated information.
Doing so may improve your chances of getting hired for the position in question.
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Reasons You Can Fail Your Background Check
There are many reasons why you can fail a background check, including:
- Your Previous Work Experience Is Not Very Impressive
A pattern of unemployment or a succession of short-lived jobs may imply that a candidate is unreliable and not worth investing in.
However, gaps in employment history may not necessarily be cause for concern if the applicant satisfactorily explains them.
- You Have a Record of Criminal Activity
When screening applications for jobs, one of the first things that companies look at is the applicant’s criminal history.
This is one factor that frequently results in the applicant being disqualified for the position.
However, if a candidate discloses their criminal past to the employer in advance, it may not necessarily be a deal-breaker.
- You Got Bad References From Your Previous Employers
If you have strong references, it will be much easier for your prospective employer to decide to recruit you for the position.
Employers are given the opportunity to learn more about your personality, work ethic, and general aptitude for a career through your references.
On the other hand, if your references don’t have much good to say about you, it will be more difficult to get hired.
Also Read: Backgroundcheckme Review
Wrapping Up
Knowing whether or not you passed your background check is important for many reasons.
By following the tips above, you can learn how to find out if you passed your background check with ease.
Amit is a young entrepreneur who specializes in background checks. After completing his high school certification, Amit spent half a decade trying different background check services. He has worked for several background screening firms and gained valuable industry experience.
Amit is the founder of BestBackgroundCheckSite.com, where he helps all its users navigate complicated decisions about their personal lives and careers.