Starting before background check clears

14 Comments

1. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 2:23PM UTC

   I'm personally not a fan of it, but if a candidate is 100% confident in their background screen not an issue just understand your offer likely states your employment is contingent upon a successful background screen and if something should pop up, you could be out of a job.

2. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 2:52PM UTC

   Some companies don't even do background checks! So, it's very possible to start without one.

   I did work for a company where people have been hired before the background check came in, so they worked for a half day or day beforehand. The positions were blue-collar warehouse work and HR was constantly doing recruiting. Suffice to say, there were zero background checks that failed in the 3.5 years I was there. With that type of track record/trend, HR decided to fast track candidates, especially when they are only hiring for a 3-week temp job over the holidays.

   You have to realise that background checks are typically very basic, unless your company is high security and requires a comprehensive background check, most Background check companies won't catch misdemeanors, minor offenses or disturbances.

   If there is something you didn't let them know about that could put you in a tough position, then don't move forward.

3. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 3:50PM UTC

   Background checks are taking a month or more these days (at least at Mt company) so I understand their needs. But it's up to you. Sometimes you compromise and you and the company give a little.

4. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 4:02PM UTC

   If you have nothing in your background that would be flagged, like time in prison, arrest records, DUIs, and the like, you should be fine. Are your financial records clean? The companies look for folks that could possibly defraud their company, or steal from them. And depending on the type of company, such as a financial institution, they could have stricter checks. I've been finger printed, drug tested, etc. If your record is clean and you know that, then you will be fine. Personally, I'd prefer the check is completed prior to resigning from a current role. If you are unemployed, then start now.

5. AnonymousMay 16,2025 at 5:09PM UTC

   If you have no concerns about your background coming back with any issues then it seems fine. Though, if you are quitting a role now to go there let them know that you are no okay with starting before things are final. Remind them that your commitment to them is going to be long term and that you also respect the company you are leaving but cannot put your own financial life in a limbo by risking no work in the middle of things.

6. Joan Williams, Senior Talent Acquisition SpecialistMay 16,2025 at 6:50PM UTC

   Do you know why, specifically, the are pushing you to start before the background check clears? Our background check/drug test process typically takes about a week. If you're doing anything with security clearance, that would take longer. Do you know exactly what the hold up is? You had to consent to that background check before it could be started - I might consider checking with the background check company to see if they can give you an idea of what the issue is.

   I wouldn't say this is no red flags for me, but it could be a concern. The only time we will usually do that is if we're trying to make a hard training class date - then we'll do a waiver. Your employment would be contingent upon passing the background check and drug test.

   Are you currently working? If you have to resign to take the position before the background check is cleared, I would make sure you do your due digilence on the company including their financials.

7. GirlBossanova934974May 17,2025 at 2:04PM UTC

   The relevant question is have you left your old job? Are you still employed by someone else? If you are, I would not turn in any resignation until the offer letter is signed and the background check is complete and passed. If you are not currently employed, I don't see a reason not to start without the check being done. MOST companies these days opt in for the cheapest background check they can do. That means, they are only looking for criminal records.

8. AnonymousMay 17,2025 at 3:54PM UTC

   They must have confidence in you. I wouldn't worry about it.

9. Vanessa McMainsMay 19,2025 at 1:41PM UTC

   Yes, I did this for my government job and the full background check didn’t finish until I was a month into the job.

10. Colleen HansonMay 19,2025 at 2:14PM UTC

    If you are currently employed, I would wait. I have a friend who once experienced this; gave her notice and left her job to start the new one. When the background check finally concluded she was terminated due to her credit rating. Her credit wasn't poor, but as a single mother she had a few past blemishes when things were tight, and they went with that rather than to see how far she had come since that time. We still never understood why they checked her credit through the background check as the job had absolutely nothing to do with finance, she wasn't going to be handling money or even working in a postion where she would have access to any company financials. At that point she was almost a month into the position, had received numerous compliments on her work and had not had any negative feedback whatsoever. We kind of felt like they used her and her input for three weeks and then terminated her once she was able to successfully implement some new procedures, but who knows. The sad part is, she was a single parent and would have never left her other job had she known this could happen. It took her months to find another position and caused horrible financial problems for her.

    I would find out exactly what their background check covers and exactly what they are looking for. I would also have them put something in writing saying that your job is not contingent on the background check if they are insisting that you to start right away; especially if you are currently employed elsewhere.

11. BarbaraMay 19,2025 at 8:04PM UTC

    Excellent advice’ !

12. AnonymousMay 21,2025 at 9:02PM UTC

    Yes, some do start and your continued employment is contingent on that passed background check. If you don't pass you get paid for the time you've worked and let go. Super simple and a practice that is out there.

13. AnonymousMay 24,2025 at 12:36PM UTC

    I would be concerned that identity theft may have occurred without your knowledge, which could potentially impact their hiring decision.

14. Barbara SoninMay 24,2025 at 5:16PM UTC

    If they're in a hurry to fill a crucial position, it's not at all unusual to proceed before the background check comes back. My approach in this situation is to not have the new hire carry out responsibilities that would be problematic if there is a background check problem; e.g. at my firm they wouldn't be processing any payments.