Whether a background check will show if you were fired from a previous job is a common question for job seekers. The short answer is yes, background checks can reveal if you were terminated from past employment. However, the details shown on a background check depend on what information your previous employer discloses and the scope of the background check.
What is included in a basic background check?
A basic background check typically includes:
- Identity verification – Your name, date of birth, and Social Security number are checked against public records to verify your identity.
- Employment verification – Your listed employers are contacted to confirm dates of employment and job titles. Some employers will also disclose salary.
- Education verification – Schools you attended are contacted to confirm your listed degrees and dates of attendance.
- Criminal history – County court records are searched for any criminal convictions.
- Sex offender registry check – National registries are searched for any sex crime convictions.
- Driving records – Your DMV records are checked for license status, accidents, DUIs, and traffic violations.
For employment verification, most employers will only confirm basic facts like job title, employment dates, and salary. They typically won’t mention performance issues or reasons for termination.
What employers can legally disclose in a background check
Legally, employers can only provide factual information about your employment to a background screening company. They cannot share subjective evaluations or opinions. Here are some guidelines on what employers can and cannot disclose:
| Can Disclose | Cannot Disclose |
|---|---|
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Most human resources departments will stick to only confirming employment dates, title, and salary. However, some employers may disclose more.
Will a background check reveal I was fired?
A basic employment background check will not directly state that you were terminated. However, there are some clues that could indicate you were fired:
- Short employment stint: If you only worked at a job for a few months, it raises questions.
- Job title change: Some employers will change your job title upon termination, for example to “Former [Job Title]” or “Previous [Job Title].”
- Employment gap: Being fired can create gaps between jobs if you don’t immediately get hired somewhere else.
Based on these red flags, a prospective employer may deduce that you were likely terminated from that job. They may ask you to explain short stints or gaps in employment.
Can I refuse permission for a background check?
You can refuse to allow a background check, but most employers will then rescind the job offer. For certain security, financial, healthcare, and childcare positions, background checks are required by law. But for many other jobs, background checks are optional and you can decline.
However, refusing to allow the background check looks suspicious to employers. They will assume you are trying to hide something negative and will likely hire someone else.
Should I be upfront about being fired?
Rather than try to hide it, it’s recommended to be honest if you were fired from a previous job. Here are some tips if you were terminated:
- Don’t volunteer the information, but don’t lie if directly asked.
- Have a good explanation ready for why you were let go and what you learned from it.
- Focus on positive traits and accomplishments from that job.
- If the firing was for cause, take responsibility and emphasize it was an isolated incident.
- For a layoff, explain the broad restructuring behind the termination decision.
Taking ownership of the situation and highlighting positives can overcome potential concerns about a past firing.
Should I contest false information on a background check?
If a background check contains incorrect or misleading information about your past employment, you should immediately contest it. Here’s how:
- Request a copy of your background check from the screening company.
- Identify any inaccurate or incomplete information.
- Write a letter to the background check company disputing the incorrect items and provide documentation to back up your claims.
- Ask the background check company to correct the information and send updated reports to anyone who previously received the report.
- Follow up to ensure the corrections were made.
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, background check companies must investigate and correct any disputed information. This process can take up to 30 days. During that time, employers cannot take any adverse action against you based on the disputed items.
Will a previous firing affect future job opportunities?
In most cases, being fired will not automatically disqualify you from other jobs. Employers understand people get let go for many reasons, even good employees. Here are some tips to reassure employers:
- Be honest, but don’t dwell on the termination.
- Speak diplomatically about that employer and don’t criticize them.
- Explain how you learned and grew from the experience.
- Emphasize stronger achievements and capabilities.
- Provide references who will vouch for your abilities.
- Take responsibility for any mistakes and spotlight successes.
With the right framing, you can overcome concerns about a past firing. Be judicious in volunteering details and focus the conversation on your assets.
Conclusion
In summary, being terminated from a previous job can appear on a background check, but won’t necessarily disqualify you from future opportunities. Employers cannot disclose private personnel information, but job gaps and short employment stints may raise questions. Adopting an honest, constructive approach focused on strengths and abilities can help overcome any concerns about a past firing.