A background check is a detailed report of an individual’s history that employers, lenders, and other entities use to help determine if the person is suitable for a job, loan, or service. Background checks can include verification of identity, employment history, education, criminal records, driving records, financial history and more. There are many reasons someone might fail a background check – some minor and others more serious. Understanding what can cause you to fail a check is important if you want to avoid issues during the screening process.
Criminal Convictions
One of the biggest red flags in a background check is a criminal history. Any type of conviction, especially felonies or violent/sexual crimes, will likely cause an employer or lender to reject an applicant. Some convictions that could lead to automatic disqualification include:
- Felonies
- Violent crimes such as assault, battery, or domestic violence
- Sex crimes including rape, child molestation, or possession of child pornography
- Financial crimes like identity theft, embezzlement, or insurance fraud
- Drug-related offenses, especially trafficking or distribution charges
- Multiple misdemeanors for petty theft, DUI, public intoxication, etc.
Even if the offense is considered minor, having multiple misdemeanors on your record could still result in a failed check. Any indication that an applicant has a history of illegal, dangerous, or unethical behavior is likely to eliminate them from consideration regardless of how long ago the crimes occurred.
Employment Gaps
Inconsistencies or large gaps in your employment history could also lead to a failed background check. Employers want to see a steady work record with no prolonged periods of unemployment. If you leave a job off your application, and it shows up during the screening, it can appear as if you were trying to cover up that employment gap. Always be thorough when listing past jobs and account for any gaps of more than a couple months. Be prepared to explain through references or records why you left certain positions or took time away from the workforce. Unverified employment, frequent job hopping, and long unexplained gaps are red flags.
False Information
One of the main purposes of a background check is to verify the accuracy of information the applicant provided. Any inaccuracies, embellishments, or falsifications discovered during the screening process will likely disqualify you from consideration. Common places where falsifications occur include:
- Dates of prior employment
- Salaries earned
- Reasons for leaving a job
- Exaggerated job duties or titles
- Education history including degrees, completion dates, and GPAs
- Listing skills or credentials that can’t be confirmed
- Providing fake references
- Omitting criminal convictions
Always provide honest, verifiable information on your application materials. Getting caught in a lie is one of the quickest ways to fail a background check.
Financial Issues
Your credit history and reports are common components of many background checks, especially for financial or government jobs. Serious financial problems like bankruptcies, tax liens, civil judgments, or substantial bad debts could raise concerns about your responsibility. Active collections accounts, outstanding tax debts, or legal judgments against you may disqualify you from consideration.
Additionally, a credit check that reveals patterns of habitual late payments, loan defaults, maxed out cards, or other irresponsible behavior could still sink your chances even without major issues. For positions handling money or sensitive financial data, poor credit history is often seen as too much of a risk.
Driving Infractions
For jobs involving operation of company vehicles, your driving record will be carefully reviewed. Serious infractions such as DUI/DWIs, license suspensions, reckless driving citations, or a lengthy history of violations demonstrate irresponsibility and could get your application rejected. Multiple accidents or moving violations within the past few years, even without major offenses, could still raise concerns.
Social Media Content
Many employers now check social media profiles as part of background screening. Problematic content that reveals illegal behavior, discrimination, hate speech, violence, drug use, or other conduct violations could cost you the job. Keep profiles set to private and carefully review old posts, photos, shares, and comments to delete anything that paints you in a negative light.
Drug and Alcohol Testing
For jobs requiring safety precautions and alertness, such as transportation and machinery operation, you may have to undergo drug screening as part of the background check process. Failing the test for any illegal substances or prescription medications without a valid prescription will disqualify you. Attempts to subvert the testing can also backfire, such as submitting an adulterated sample or sending a proxy on your behalf.
Sex Offender Registries
Your name being listed in state or national sex offender registries is an immediate red flag that would exclude you from most positions. Any history of sex crimes or child abuse will come to light and almost universally result in rejection of your application.
Terrorist Watch Lists
For jobs requiring security clearances or transportation work, your name will be cross referenced with terrorist watch lists such as the No Fly List. Any suspected matches could require extensive investigation and still prevent your hiring.
Dishonorable Military Discharge
For former military members, a background check will pull your DD214 military discharge paperwork. A dishonorable or bad conduct discharge is a severe black mark that signals major misconduct. These shameful separations from service will often preclude employment.
Deportation Records
If you are not a U.S. citizen, your background check could include searching immigration and deportation records. Any evidence of unlawful presence in the country, invalid immigration status, or prior deportation would obviously rule out lawful employment.
Failure to Disclose Relevant Information
Attempting to conceal negative background information by omitting it from your application could also backfire. Always disclose any prior criminal convictions, terminations, or other potentially disqualifying events. Lying by omission can be grounds for rejection and demonstrates untrustworthiness.
Final Adverse Employment Actions
For some sensitive occupations, prior employment records will be closely reviewed. Any instances of being fired, asked to resign, or otherwise involuntarily separated from previous jobs may raise concerns. Multiple adverse terminations, even if legally disputed, paint you as a risky hire.
Pending Investigations or Charges
Background checks may uncover any pending criminal charges or ongoing investigations you face. Even if you have not been convicted yet, active cases or inquiries into conduct violations, suspected crimes, or lawsuits could stall hiring decisions. Disclosing any pending issues upfront is best.
How Long Do Background Check Issues Last?
For most negative background check findings, there are no fixed durations that dictate how long problems remain on your record. Some general guidelines include:
– Criminal convictions typically remain on background checks permanently, although their relevance may decline over time. More serious felonies are harder to overcome than minor misdemeanors.
– Credit report problems may start to matter less after 7-10 years as accounts fade from your history. Bankruptcies can impact score for up to 10 years.
– Civil lawsuits and other financial judgments may show for 7-10 years or until satisfied.
– Employment gaps matter most for recent history. Explain old gaps from years past.
– Traffic infractions count for roughly 5 years, but serious offenses are often searchable indefinitely.
– Drug test failures can disqualify reapplication for 1 year in many cases.
– Past terminations and misconduct are scrutinized primarily for recent jobs. Events from long ago hold less weight.
In general, provide any context needed to demonstrate that old history no longer represents who you are. For serious crimes or transgressions, being upfront and showing how you have changed is key.
Appealing Background Check Findings
If you are rejected due to background check results, you have options:
– If information is inaccurate, provide proof to correct any false data. Dispute errors with screening agencies.
– Explain any extenuating circumstances that should be considered, like offenses committed as a juvenile. Provide references that vouch for your character.
– For minor or old offenses, emphasize any rehabilitation efforts, training completed, and your clean record since.
– Demonstrate why you are still an excellent candidate for the position whose skills outweigh any past mistakes.
– If problems stemmed from medical conditions, have doctor document treatment status.
– File appeals with appropriate agencies if you dispute criminal records or believe you qualify for expungement.
– Provide evidence of financial recovery if credit or money issues were cited, like letters from counselors or improved credit reports.
– Offer to accept probationary hiring contingent on further demonstration of responsibility. Follow up persistently.
With effort, some initial rejections can be overturned by demonstrating you are still the ideal choice, or at least deserve a probationary chance. But be aware, many disqualifiers, especially related to dishonesty or violence, may permanently exclude you.
Avoiding Background Check Problems
The best way to pass a background check is to avoid having concerning history in the first place. Some tips include:
– Maintain a clean criminal record by following laws and avoiding risky situations. Any arrests, even if charges are dropped, could show up.
– Build strong work ethic and behavior to avoid terminations and discipline. Do not quit jobs without giving proper notice. Get references from former supervisors.
– Pay all debts and bills on time. Keep credit utilization low and accounts in good standing. Avoid excessive borrowing and bankruptcies.
– Maintain clean driving history by following traffic laws. Limit points on license and reduce insurance premiums.
– Be truthful on all application materials and disclose any potential concerns up front. Transparency is appreciated.
– Remove or privatize any questionable social media content that could reflect poorly. Cultivate positive online image.
– Comply with any drug testing requirements and avoid illegal substances, especially if seeking safety-sensitive work.
– If former military, do not commit offenses that could lead to disciplinary discharge. Seek honorable separation.
– Provide alibis and evidence to dispute any false criminal accusations against you that show up.
– Verify your own reports annually to catch any errors early before an employer does.
By being prudent and proactive, you can minimize chances of anything negative surfacing during pre-employment screening.
Conclusion
Background checks are designed to uncover any red flags, problems, or dishonesties in an applicant’s past. Common reasons for failing include criminal offenses, financial issues, employment gaps, driving violations, failed drug tests, and providing false information. Minor oversights may be excusable, but serious infractions often result in disqualification, especially when relevant to the job. Understanding what causes applicants to fail background checks allows you to avoid or mitigate these concerns. Being transparent and taking responsibility for past mistakes can also help overcome some setbacks during the appeals process. With effort and rehabilitation, some difficult histories can eventually be outlived, but avoiding troubling incidents to begin with is always wise.
