How to handle getting a “no rehire” status
A reader wrote,
“My previous company gave me an option to resign, but my employer informed I would be on a “no rehire” status for two years. I have two questions. (1) Will this show up on a background check? (2) And is it necessary to put this employer in my reference?” - Not Eligible for Rehire
Dear Not Eligible for Rehire,
First, because I am not an employment attorney, please don’t take my response as legal advice. If you want to be 100% sure this information is accurate for where you live, please consult a lawyer licensed in your state.
I believe the answer to your first question is, “It depends.” Some background check companies ask about rehire status, but others do not.
Because of the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), you have rights related to background checks. Employers must get your permission before they run a background check. Once they do, if there are any “adverse actions” against you because of what they find in the background check, like rejecting you for the job, they must notify you. This is how you would find out if a background check caused you to be ruled out for a job.
The answer to your second question is also, “It depends.” If you worked for this employer for only a short time, you might choose to omit them from your employment history on your resume. But if this employer makes up a significant portion of your work history, like six months or more, you may decide explaining the resignation is easier than explaining the gap in employment.
The answer is also different depending on whether you mean a resume or a job application. A resume is like an advertisement. You can choose which things to include and which things to omit, choosing only the best information that fits your personal branding. But with a job application, employers will ask you to attest to the truthfulness of the information, so usually the application requires you to list all employment.
If you are worried about how to search for a job after being fired, this article might give you some workable strategies: How to land a new job after being fired.
Hope that helps!
I use this blog to respond to reader questions about their careers. If you have a question, please contact me.
