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The Global Insight

Do background checks happen before or after job offer?

Author

Sarah Garza

Updated on April 03, 2026

The best time to run a background check during the hiring process is after a conditional job offer has been shared with a candidate, but before their employment is finalized. Some employers like to run checks on all applicants that go through the interview process.

Does getting a background check mean I got the job?

Does a background check mean you have the job? It’s 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 they’re about to make an offer.

When a job does a background check what can they see?

An employment background check can include, but is not limited to, a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening. If the position is specialized, applicants and employees may undergo further screenings.

When does a background check mean you have the job?

Does a background check mean you have the job? It’s 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 they’re about to make an offer.

Can a job offer be withdrawn after a background check?

Making a job offer after conducting a background check can result in an applicant losing interest in the job because of the time involved in the background screening process. In cases where a background check is run after a job offer, if negative information is found in the background check, an employer may need to withdraw that offer.

Can a job offer be contingent on a background check?

What typically happens is the employer will make the job offer contingent upon the successful completion of a reference check or a background check. What’s the problem with doing it that way?

Can a employer discriminate based on a background check?

While some information on your background check may be of legitimate concern to employers, these checks cannot be used as an excuse to discriminate. Employers must request background checks of all applicants equally—that is, it would be illegal to check the criminal records of male job candidates but not female.