Does a Background Check Mean Youre Getting Hired

Does a Background Check Mean Youre Getting Hired Spread the loveGetting close to a job offer is certainly a relief for any job seeker. A common question job seekers have is whether a background check is a good sign that theyre about to be hired.We talked to our team of career experts about what job applicants can expect if a potential employer is running a background check. Heres what they told us!(Related: read how long a background check takes and what information an employer can find by running a background check on you.)Does a Background Check Mean You Have the Job?Its not a 100% guarantee that you have the job, but it sure is a strong indication that you may receive an offer.A background check usually comes at the end of the hiring process. Employers will typically conduct a background check before theyre about to make an offer. They may be conducting a background check on a handful of candidates theyre considering making an offer to. Its impossible to know if youre the only one theyre consideringor if there are several other contenders theyre running a background check on.How long after a background check can you expect an offer?Its impossible to give an exact time frame but you should hear something within a week or two after a background check.It takes anywhere from two to five days to conduct a background check. The hiring manager would then usually need a few days to make a final decision or put together an offer.Dont just wait for the offer!Although a background check is a good sign that youre being seriously considered for the job, dont sit back and wait for the offer. Keep applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.Remember that most employers automatically screen your resume with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software. These systems reject nearly 75% of resumes so you need to ensure you use a standard format and include relevant keywords on a resume.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewWhat employers look for during a background check:1. Past employmentThey may be checking to verify that all of your experience listed matches your records. Make sure that all of the dates and company names/titles listed on your resume are accurate. Many job seekers stretch their employment dates to avoid having gaps on their resume. This isnt a good idea because if the background check reveals something different the hiring manager would see that as a red flag and may reject your application.If this applies to you, check out our advice on dealing with employment gaps on a resume.2. EducationThe employer may also verify that you earned the degree(s) listed on your resume or application. Lying about your education is a serious offense that could get you in trouble so ensure that the education section of your resume is accurate and up to date.3. Criminal recordThis is straight forward most employers will check your criminal record before making an offer.They are checking for: violent offenses sex crimes fraud or embezzlement felony convictions4. Credit historyThe employer may also check your credit history if the position will allow you to have any sort of financial authority.According to the FTC Here are what employers are not allowed to check for:Bankruptcies after 10 yearsCivil suits, civil judgments, and arrest records, after seven years from the date of entryPaid tax liens after seven yearsAccounts placed for collection after seven yearsAny other negative information (except criminal convictions) after seven yearsSummaryA background check is certainly a good sign that you may get hired but that doesnt mean your job search is over. Keep on applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.For more job search advice and resume tips for our experts, follow Zipjob on Quora.Good luck with your job search! Does a Background Check Mean Youre Getting Hired Spread the loveGetting close to a job offer is certainly a relief for any job seeker. A common question job seekers have is whether a background check is a good sign that theyre about to be hired.We talked to our team of career experts about what job applicants can expect if a potential employer is running a background check. Heres what they told us!(Related: read how long a background check takes and what information an employer can find by running a background check on you.)Does a Background Check Mean You Have the Job?Its not a 100% guarantee that you have the job, but it sure is a strong indication that you may receive an offer.A background check usually comes at the end of the hiring process. Employers will typically conduct a background check before theyre about to make an offer. They may be conducting a background check on a handful of candidates theyre considering making an offer to. Its impossible to know if youre the only one theyre consideringor if there are several other contenders theyre running a background check on.How long after a background check can you expect an offer?Its impossible to give an exact time frame but you should hear something within a week or two after a background check.It takes anywhere from two to five days to conduct a background check. The hiring manager would then usually need a few days to make a final decision or put together an offer.Dont just wait for the offer!Although a background check is a good sign that youre being seriously considered for the job, dont sit back and wait for the offer. Keep applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.Remember that most employers automatically screen your resume with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software. These systems reject nearly 75% of resumes so you need to ensure you use a standard format and include relevant keywords on a resume.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewWhat employers look for during a background check:1. Past employmentThey may be checking to verify that all of your experience listed matches your records. Make sure that all of the dates and company names/titles listed on your resume are accurate. Many job seekers stretch their employment dates to avoid having gaps on their resume. This isnt a good idea because if the background check reveals something different the hiring manager would see that as a red flag and may reject your application.If this applies to you, check out our advice on dealing with employment gaps on a resume.2. EducationThe employer may also verify that you earned the degree(s) listed on your resume or application. Lying about your education is a serious offense that could get you in trouble so ensure that the education section of your resume is accurate and up to date.3. Criminal recordThis is straight forward most employers will check your criminal record before making an offer.They are checking for: violent offenses sex crimes fraud or embezzlement felony convictions4. Credit historyThe employer may also check your credit history if the position will allow you to have any sort of financial authority.According to the FTC Here are what employers are not allowed to check for:Bankruptcies after 10 yearsCivil suits, civil judgments, and arrest records, after seven years from the date of entryPaid tax liens after seven yearsAccounts placed for collection after seven yearsAny other negative information (except criminal convictions) after seven yearsSummaryA background check is certainly a good sign that you may get hired but that doesnt mean your job search is over. Keep on applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.For more job search advice and resume tips for our experts, follow Zipjob on Quora.Good luck with your job search! Does a Background Check Mean Youre Getting Hired Spread the loveGetting close to a job offer is certainly a relief for any job seeker. A common question job seekers have is whether a background check is a good sign that theyre about to be hired.We talked to our team of career experts about what job applicants can expect if a potential employer is running a background check. Heres what they told us!(Related: read how long a background check takes and what information an employer can find by running a background check on you.)Does a Background Check Mean You Have the Job?Its not a 100% guarantee that you have the job, but it sure is a strong indication that you may receive an offer.A background check usually comes at the end of the hiring process. Employers will typically conduct a background check before theyre about to make an offer. They may be conducting a background check on a handful of candidates theyre considering making an offer to. Its impossible to know if youre the only one theyre consideringor if there are several other contenders theyre running a background check on.How long after a background check can you expect an offer?Its impossible to give an exact time frame but you should hear something within a week or two after a background check.It takes anywhere from two to five days to conduct a background check. The hiring manager would then usually need a few days to make a final decision or put together an offer.Dont just wait for the offer!Although a background check is a good sign that youre being seriously considered for the job, dont sit back and wait for the offer. Keep applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.Remember that most employers automatically screen your resume with Applicant Tracking System (ATS) software. These systems reject nearly 75% of resumes so you need to ensure you use a standard format and include relevant keywords on a resume.ATS Resume Test  You can see how your resume performs in an actual ATS scan with our Free Resume Review:Free Resume ReviewWhat employers look for during a background check:1. Past employmentThey may be checking to verify that all of your experience listed matches your records. Make sure that all of the dates and company names/titles listed on your resume are accurate. Many job seekers stretch their employment dates to avoid having gaps on their resume. This isnt a good idea because if the background check reveals something different the hiring manager would see that as a red flag and may reject your application.If this applies to you, check out our advice on dealing with employment gaps on a resume.2. EducationThe employer may also verify that you earned the degree(s) listed on your resume or application. Lying about your education is a serious offense that could get you in trouble so ensure that the education section of your resume is accurate and up to date.3. Criminal recordThis is straight forward most employers will check your criminal record before making an offer.They are checking for: violent offenses sex crimes fraud or embezzlement felony convictions4. Credit historyThe employer may also check your credit history if the position will allow you to have any sort of financial authority.According to the FTC Here are what employers are not allowed to check for:Bankruptcies after 10 yearsCivil suits, civil judgments, and arrest records, after seven years from the date of entryPaid tax liens after seven yearsAccounts placed for collection after seven yearsAny other negative information (except criminal convictions) after seven yearsSummaryA background check is certainly a good sign that you may get hired but that doesnt mean your job search is over. Keep on applying to as many positions as youre qualified for.For more job search advice and resume tips for our experts, follow Zipjob on Quora.Good luck with your job search!