How do you know if you failed a background check?

Asked by: Myah Dare  |  Last update: January 24, 2026
Score: 4.9/5 (11 votes)

If the potential employer decides not to hire you based on the results from the background check, they must provide you with a notice of "adverse action" and a copy of the background report, along with a summary of your rights under the FCRA.

How do I know if my background check is successful?

If you want to know whether you passed your check, you can either reach out to the employer who requested it or reach out to the background check company itself. Ultimately, you can fight for yourself, especially if you fail your background record check.

Will a job tell you if you passed a background check?

If you pass it, the hiring manager will likely send an email to you with your job offer or contact you by phone. If the employer decides against hiring you based on information contained in your background check, the FCRA requires them to complete the adverse action process.

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.

Can a job offer be withdrawn after a background check?

There are many reasons why someone might not get a job or why a job offer could be rescinded after a background check. A failed criminal check could be one. Poor references are another. Yet, few probably realize that companies can and do rescind offers after performing credit checks on would-be employees.

What Does an Employment Background Check Include?

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Can I still be hired if I fail a background check?

Depending on the role to be assumed by the job candidate and the information uncovered by the background check, a failed background check after a job offer generally does not automatically disqualify them from the position.

What is a rejection letter after background check?

However, our screening results found that [provide reason for rejection, such as failed background check, failed drug test, etc.]. Those results led us to focus on other candidates to fill this position. Again, we applaud your credentials and wish you nothing but the best in your job search efforts.

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 makes someone not pass 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 ...

Can you ask someone if they can pass a background check?

Meaning, under California law, it is against the law to ask an applicant any questions regarding an applicant's criminal history during interviews or on the job application itself. Employers should update their hiring procedures to ensure compliance with California hiring laws.

How do I know if I'll pass a background check?

You can determine whether you failed an employee background check if you have any of the following seven disqualifying factors:
  1. Inconsistent employment history. ...
  2. Inaccurate resume information. ...
  3. A criminal history. ...
  4. Negative reviews from employers. ...
  5. Poor driving record. ...
  6. A failed drug or alcohol test. ...
  7. Poor credit history.

Who makes the final decision after a background check?

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.

Does HR contact you after a background check?

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.

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.

Do you hear back after a 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 the sterling background check?

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.

What does a failed background check look like?

A “failed” background check means the results of the background screening report returned alerts on a job candidate, such as a criminal conviction, a suspended driver's license, or a positive drug test.

How to tell a candidate they didn t pass the background check?

Send Pre-Adverse Action Notice

The Fair Credit Reporting Act, or FCRA, requires employers to send the candidate in question a pre-adverse action notice. This notice must include an explanation of the information you found, along with a copy of the background check.

What are the disqualifying offenses for background checks?

INTERIM DISQUALIFYING CRIMINAL OFFENSES

Extortion. Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling.

What are yellow flags on a background check?

Generally though, a “yellow flag" means that the screening found some derogatory information, but nothing that satisfied any criteria for automatic disqualification. Think of a warning versus an error; one indicates something that you should watch for, and the other indicates an actual problem.

What does green flag mean on a background check?

In general, "green flags" on a background check refer to positive indicators or aspects of a candidate's background that align with the employer's criteria or expectations.

Why is getting hired on the spot a red flag?

They offer you the position too quickly.

If you only have one interview, the interviewer doesn't ask you many questions, and they offer you the job on the spot; this is a red flag. This usually signals they see employees as disposable, expect you will quit soon, and need a warm body to fill the position.

What would cause me to fail an employment background check?

A Poor Employment History

Background checks that turn up a history of workplace issues are glaring red flags. Previous employers might provide evidence of ongoing insubordination, frequent arguments, chronic lateness and absenteeism, and similar negative feedback.

Can a job offer be taken back after a background check?

When a job offer is rescinded due to a background check, employers generally need to formally retract the offer in writing with an adverse action notice.

What is background rejection?

The term background rejection is usually defined as the fraction of events that don't belong in your sample that are excluded from your sample (i.e. it goes down as the false positive rate goes up).