Want to learn how to check a Red Flag on a Background Check report? Keep reading!
Before officially starting any job, many employers ask prospective employees to undergo a background check to reduce liability risks and ensure the right contender gets the job.
The background checks usually include a review of the candidate’s identity, background, work history, and criminal records. While there’s nothing like a perfect record, certain red flags may lead to disqualification.
In this article, we’ll be discussing the most common causes that could raise a red flag found during a background check. Let’s begin!
How to Identify a Red Flag on a Background Check?
What constitutes a red flag varies from company to company and the position you are filling.
However, the most common red flags which employers must pay attention to are discrepancies, criminal records, and derogatory remarks.
Red flags could be anything that sparks the employer’s concern regarding the applicant’s credentials, such as mistakes or lack of information on the resumes and indicators that reveal that the potential candidate is not who they claim to be, even potentially not competent for the job.
Common Red Flags on a Background Check
Here are some most common causes of a red flag that employers must heed while conducting a background check:
- Lack of Consistency
Background checks are supposed to provide an accurate picture of the academic achievements and work history of your potential candidate.
Any inconsistencies between the background check and resumes could mean that candidates have embellished their resumes and tried to hide something.
- Employment Gaps
The long and consistent employment gaps in the resume, either because of the candidate’s personal choice or any other circumstance beyond their control, is a big red flag that can’t be overlooked.
Particularly, if the applicant fails to explain the valid reason behind the gaps, it is seen as a sign of unreliability.
- Exaggerated Academic Credentials
If a background check finds out that the applicant’s resume has misleading claims about his educational credentials, where he wrongfully claims to have the degree or experience, it is another big red flag for the employer as it shows that the person is not trustworthy.
- Criminal History
If the candidate refuses to submit their criminal record or purposely omits this information from their resume, it is a clear red flag that you should take seriously.
Candidates with severe crime records, such as theft, fraud, or crimes involving violence, should be disqualified immediately.
- Poor Credit History
Background checks often include checking the credit history and financial records of a candidate.
Though bad credit scores don’t necessarily have to raise red flags, the employer must pay attention to any delinquencies, convictions, bankruptcies, mortgages, and credit card accounts if the position requires money management or corporate spending.
- Bad References
References provide the best insight into the applicant’s work ethics and professional behavior in the previous workplace.
A few poor reviews may come from a personal grudge, but if they keep popping up, it could be a strong indicator of poor performance at the job.
We’d recommend calling the references to confirm the accurate information about the candidate.
Conclusion
We hope you found this article useful and learned how to identify red flags in your background check report.
Shefali Jain is a Content Writer & Editor at USWorkforce.org
After completing her graduation in hospitality, Shefali decided to follow her passion and started writing. Shefali has been writing for two years now and contributes to our website as a skilled editor and content writer with strong research skills. Writing product and service reviews, biographies, and book reviews are some of her key areas, among many others in which she specializes. In her time at the organization, she has written and edited content on a range of topics, including employment law, human resources, and business management.
