How do I know if I passed my sterling background check?

Asked by: Jillian West  |  Last update: December 3, 2025
Score: 5/5 (40 votes)

Check your screening status Enter your email address and the last four digits of your Social Security Number that you provided as part of your screening. If Sterling is able to locate a screening that was performed within the last 30 days, you will receive an email notification informing you of the screening status.

How do I see results of sterling background check?

You will receive an email from theadvocates@sterlingvolunteers.com when your background check order has been completed. Underneath your name, address, and email you will see "Verified" with the date of completion (example Verified: 1/1/2019). Click this link to view the results.

How do I know if I passed my background check accurately?

There are only two sure-fire ways to know you passed the check: for the potential employer or hiring manager to confirm that you passed and/or for them to extend a job offer (that is not contingent on finalizing the background screening).

How do I know if my background check went through?

Reach out to the background check company

They'll let you know if you passed or failed the background check. Likely, they'll be able to give you a report, highlighting any red flags or issues that may have caused you to fail the employment background check.

What does completed mean on sterling background check?

A status of “Complete” in this case simply means that the background screener — here, SterlingOne, formerly TalentWise and now part of Sterling Talent Solutions — has concluded their investigation, compiled the results, and forwarded them to the party that requested them.

How do I know if I passed my background check?

27 related questions found

Does sterling notify you when background check is complete?

If Sterling is able to locate a screening that was performed within the last 30 days, you will receive an email notification informing you of the screening status.

What happens after background check is completed?

What happens after a background check for a job? After a background check is complete, employers use the information they find through the process to make informed decisions about whether they would like to invite you to be a part of their organization.

How do you know if you'll fail a background check?

Warning signs on a background check include multiple periods of unexplained unemployment, inconsistent information, short periods of employment, minimal relevant job experience, no required education or training, professional license issues, dangerous criminal convictions, job-related criminal convictions, bad ...

Will I hear back from background check?

How long does a background check take? It's impossible to give an exact time frame, as every employer differs – but you should hear something within a week or two following a background check. It can take anywhere from two to five days to conduct an employment background check.

How do I know if I passed my background check first advantage?

You can login to your Profile Advantage account at any time after you have submitted the background check to see your profile. Dependent upon regional or employer requirements, you may be able view the progress of your report. Status reports will be displayed in the “Dashboard” section of Profile Advantage.

How do you tell a candidate they failed the background check?

Notify Your Job Candidate

In addition to informing the candidate that you're considering adverse action due to their background check results, you must provide a few extra documents, including: A summary of the candidate's background check results. A copy of the background check report.

How long do companies tell you if you passed a background check?

If a candidate's criminal history is limited to one state, or one home country, then the check can take one to two business days. However, verifying international records takes much longer. If the candidate has emigrated or worked in different countries, this process can stretch up to, or past, 20 days.

What looks bad on a background check?

You may be disqualified from a high security clearance job if your record contains any of the following: a single serious crime, a series of lesser offenses, embezzlement, income tax evasion (or other financial crimes), sexual offenses, crimes related to excessive alcohol or drug consumption, a history of personality ...

Why is my background check from sterling taking so long?

In general, know that it can take several days to several weeks for a background check to complete, depending on the categories of information, the extent of the factors impacting the individual candidate or employee (such as an extensive employment history), and other factors.

What is level 1 on Sterling background check?

A Level 1 background check is often the most basic form of screening. It generally includes verification of identity and a simple criminal record search based on a person's name and social security number.

How long does Sterling Volunteers background check take?

Sterling Volunteers can claim the fastest TAT in the industry for county courthouse records – the most common background check for volunteers. The majority of searches will be returned in 24 to 72 hours.

Do employers reach out immediately after background checks?

Do employers reach out immediately after background checks? Employers don't always contact you immediately after receiving the results of a background check. They may do so if they've already extended a job offer, and there was nothing of concern noted during the background check.

What does "clear" mean on a background check?

If a report has been marked as 'clear,' it means that nothing of concern has been uncovered in the investigation. The candidate has been verified, and there is no known reason why your company should not continue with the hiring process.

What is the longest wait for a background check?

A general rule to go by is that local and state searches might be completed within a day, while federal searches can take longer, often up to a week or more.

How do I make sure I pass a background check?

Best Practices for Passing a Background Check
  1. Don't lie about your name. Many background checks are name-based—though some employers use fingerprint or Social Security Number checks for more precise results. ...
  2. Get your story straight. ...
  3. Run a background check on yourself. ...
  4. Consider expungement.

What is a red flag on a background check?

A red flag in a background check is anything alarming or concerning about a person's past. This could be a history of breaking the law, lying about work experience or education, or other serious issues. However, not all red flags are the same. Some might be small and not that serious, depending on the job.

What qualifies as passing a background check?

If you were found not guilty, no-billed, or had the case dismissed, you'll still pass the background check. Also, depending on the requirements, the type of offense and time since conviction would be a factor.

How do you know when you passed a background check?

There's a simple answer to this one! Once the background check duration period has ended and the results are in, the employer will either call or email you to let you know that the background has cleared. You may not even receive a notification that you passed the background check – you may simply receive a job offer.

How long does it take to hear back after background check?

A state background check usually takes one to two days.

Reports that don't return any records may come back quickly, while any case that requires additional searching or manual review may take several business days or longer. Each state has its system for handling criminal record checks.

What is the difference between a complete and clear background check?

Statuses When the Background Check is Done

Clear: The report is complete and does not contain adverse information on any of the screenings. Consider: The report is complete and contains some sort of adverse information to evaluate (criminal records, traffic infractions, or other information).