Background checks are utilized for various purposes, most notably for employment. It is often considered the last part of the hiring process to verify the candidate’s information and ensure that their past aligns with the employer’s values. These checks are also conducted for other reasons, such as renting a property and buying a firearm.
Since passing a background check is critical to get the green light, whether for employment or applying for an apartment, many wonder about what would make someone fail a background check. Our article is here to answer this commonly asked question.
Given that what would make someone fail a background check ultimately comes down to the purpose of it, we will answer it for different types of background checks. Read on to learn what can make someone fail a background check for employment, renting a property, and buying a firearm, as these are the most popular.
What Would Make Someone Fail a Background Check for Employment
Employers typically check employment history, criminal records, education, credit reports, driving history, social media, and professional licenses. Here are the top reasons for failing a background check for employment.
- Criminal History: Felonies or recent convictions, particularly those related to violence, theft, or fraud, can make someone fail a background check, especially for positions with trust or security concerns.
- False Work History: Entering false employment history details on the resume is a quick way to fail a background check, as it is one of the first things background checks for employment verify.
- Negative Online Behavior: Nowadays, employment background checks also check public social media accounts. If there’s any negative online behavior, such as hate speech, it will be a reason to fail the background check.
- Poor Credit: Although only relevant for financial and executive positions, a poor credit score can make someone fail a background check as it typically indicates financial irresponsibility to employers.
Also, job-specific checks, like poor driving history for a position that requires operating a motor vehicle or lacking professional licenses for the position can make someone fail the background check.
What Would Make Someone Fail a Background Check for Renting
Rental background checks aren’t as exhaustive as those for employment, but they still look for a wide range of information about applicants. Here are the common points for failing a background check for renting a property.
- Poor Credit: When it comes to rental background checks, the leading reason for failing them is poor credit, which is a big red flag for most housing providers.
- Prior Evictions: Just as big of a red flag as poor credit, prior evictions indicate the renter has a history of not fulfilling lease agreements.
- Unverifiable Employment: If the renter’s employment can’t be verified, it will likely lead to failing the background check. The same also applies to income verification, which can make the applicant fail if their income doesn’t meet the landlord’s requirements.
Rental background checks also look for references from previous landlords, which can quickly lead to the applicant failing the background check if they receive reports of property damage, late rent, or neighbor complaints.
What Would Make Someone Fail a Background Check for Buying a Gun
The background checks conducted through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) for purchasing a firearm can also be failed. Here are the common reasons for failing a background check for a gun.
- Felonies: Any felony conviction can make someone fail a background check for a firearm, whether gun-related or not.
- Active Restraining Order: If the individual undergoing a background check for a firearm has an active protective order, they will automatically fail it.
- Dishonorable Discharge: Just like an active restraining order, an dishonorable discharge from the military is a serious offense that will make someone automatically fail a background check for a gun.
Also, drug use, even without a conviction, can make someone fail a background check for purchasing a firearm.
Will You Pass a Background Check?
Even if you know what would make someone fail a background check, you can’t know it for yourself before you go through one. If you’re wondering whether you would pass a background check, run an online background check on yourself using a people search tool.
It works the same as any other background check for employment, tenant screening, or any other, giving you all the details that could possibly make you fail a background check. It is completely free, and all you need to do is enter your name, city, and state to get started.
