Applying for jobs? You’re probably used to seeing “background check required” on a lot of listings. Background checks have become common in hiring, and while they aim to create safer workplaces, they can make job searches tricky for folks with complex histories. But here's some good news: there are roles that often skip these checks, offering a smoother path for job seekers who want a fresh start or keep their privacy intact. So, if you're looking to bypass the background check drama, this guide is for you.
We’ll walk you through the essentials of background checks—what’s in them, why they’re used, and how they sometimes lead to unintended discrimination. Then, we’ll dive into a list of 25 no background check jobs, along with some valuable tips on how to stand out in these roles. Let’s get started!
What Is a Background Check, Anyway?
A background check is essentially a comprehensive look into a candidate’s history, designed to verify their identity, past actions, and qualifications. It can include everything from criminal records and employment history to social media reviews and credit reports. For companies, background checks serve as a safeguard, helping them make more informed hiring decisions by identifying potential risks and ensuring candidates meet specific role requirements.
In fact, around 93% of U.S. companies conduct some form of background screening to confirm that applicants are trustworthy, skilled, and a good fit for the workplace. Understanding what’s included in these checks can help you prepare for roles where screening is inevitable and also identify jobs that typically skip this step, creating more options as you navigate your job search.
What’s Included in a Background Check?
Here's a closer look at the main types of background checks employers may conduct, along with why they’re used and what’s included in each type:
Criminal Record Check
What It Involves: A criminal record check looks into any criminal history, including arrests, convictions, and, in some cases, dismissed charges. Employers might see felonies, misdemeanors, pending cases, and even some traffic violations, depending on the scope of the check.
Why It’s Used: Certain roles—particularly those in security, healthcare, finance, or education—require criminal checks to ensure candidate suitability. Criminal checks help employers avoid potential risks, particularly in positions involving vulnerable populations or sensitive data.
Important Note: Most companies can only conduct a criminal check after extending a conditional job offer (except for specific roles like government or security positions).
Identity Verification
What It Involves: Employers verify your Social Security Number (SSN) and personal identity details to confirm that you are who you say you are. They may use records from the Social Security Administration or Department of Homeland Security for this verification.
Why It’s Used: Identity verification helps prevent identity theft and fraudulent applications. It also ensures the company complies with federal laws regarding work authorization in the U.S.
Important Note: Employers usually seek consent for SSN verification, and candidates can decline. However, declining could affect the application’s outcome, especially in jobs requiring U.S. work eligibility.
Social Media Review
What It Involves: This involves examining public profiles on social media sites like LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Hiring managers look at posts, images, and interactions to gauge professionalism, behavior, and cultural fit.
Why It’s Used: Social media reviews help employers understand candidates’ personal brands and behaviors. Around 67% of hiring managers report using social media to screen candidates, making it an increasingly common practice.
Important Note: Companies can only view what’s publicly available on your profile. Consider reviewing your social media privacy settings if you’re concerned about what’s visible.
Credit Report Check
What It Involves: Credit checks provide insight into an individual’s financial history, including payment patterns, debt levels, and credit scores. These checks are often sourced through credit reporting agencies.
Why It’s Used: While not common across all roles, credit checks are relevant for jobs involving financial responsibilities, such as banking or accounting. They help employers assess financial responsibility and trustworthiness.
Important Note: Many states restrict the use of credit checks in hiring due to potential discrimination concerns. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) also requires employers to obtain written permission before accessing credit reports.
Drug Testing
What It Involves: Drug tests can detect substances like opioids, marijuana, and amphetamines in a candidate’s system. Testing methods include urine, saliva, or hair samples.
Why It’s Used: Drug testing is standard in safety-sensitive industries like transportation, construction, or healthcare, where impaired performance could pose significant risks. Some companies also use drug testing to maintain a drug-free workplace policy.
Important Note: Regulations on drug testing vary by location, and some states have legalized certain substances (e.g., marijuana), potentially affecting testing policies.
Driving Record
What It Involves: This check reveals an applicant’s driving history, including any traffic violations, DUIs, license suspensions, or accident records.
Why It’s Used: Employers hiring for roles involving driving (e.g., delivery drivers or truck operators) use driving records to confirm a candidate’s safe driving history and suitability for vehicle-related tasks.
Important Note: A driving record check is standard for roles with transportation duties. However, hiring managers must still obtain permission before pulling this record.
Education Verification
What It Involves: This check confirms that a candidate’s academic credentials are accurate, including degrees, certifications, and licenses listed on the resume.
Why It’s Used: In jobs where specific credentials are necessary (like engineering, law, or medical roles), education verification ensures that applicants meet the minimum educational requirements.
Important Note: Some companies may also verify certifications through accrediting bodies, especially if the role requires particular expertise or licensure.
Confirmation of References and Employment History
What It Involves: Employers contact former supervisors, colleagues, or other references to verify past job performance, employment dates, and job responsibilities. Some companies may also use third-party services to check employment history.
Why It’s Used: Verifying past employment and performance helps ensure that candidates are honest on their resumes. It also provides insight into their reliability, work ethic, and suitability for the new role.
Important Note: Reference checks are among the most common screenings and are typically completed by HR staff or hiring managers toward the end of the hiring process.
Medical History
What It Involves: Employers are usually restricted from inquiring about a candidate’s medical history. Instead, they may ask if the applicant can perform essential job functions or if they require any accommodations.
Why It’s Used: Companies conduct medical screenings (if relevant) to assess an individual’s physical fitness for specific roles, especially in physically demanding jobs like construction.
Important Note: The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits employers from asking disability-related questions before extending a job offer, ensuring fair hiring practices for all applicants.
(Source: Fit Small Business)
Pro Tip: Worried about what a background check might show? Consider running one on yourself. Spotting issues early on helps you narrow down job choices and prepare responses.
Why Do Companies Use Background Checks?
Companies rely on background checks to protect their workplace, uphold their reputation, and ensure they’re hiring trustworthy individuals. Background checks help identify potential risks, such as criminal history or financial instability, which may affect roles that involve handling sensitive information or working with vulnerable populations. Checks help prevent issues like negligent hiring claims and ensure that candidates meet role-specific requirements, especially in regulated industries such as healthcare, finance, and government. By verifying employment history, education, and even social media activity, companies aim to reduce liability, maintain safety, and uphold high performance standards.
(Source: PreEmploy)
Why Don’t Some Employers Use Background Checks?
Many employers skip background checks due to cost, efficiency, or a commitment to inclusive hiring practices. For companies with high turnover or urgent staffing needs—like those in retail, hospitality, and seasonal work—background checks can slow down hiring and increase expenses. Some organizations actively avoid checks to support fair employment opportunities, especially for those with complex pasts, aligning with second-chance hiring initiatives. Many creative, freelance, or entry-level roles focus on current skills and performance over past issues, with some companies opting to value potential and cultural fit over historical records.
(Source: Prison Policy)
25 Jobs Where You May Not Need a Background Check
If you’re hoping to avoid background checks, you have more options than you might think! Below is a list of 25 roles that typically don’t require background checks, with details on each type to help you decide which best matches your skills and interests.
If you’re hoping to avoid background checks, you have more options than you might think! Below is a list of 25 roles that typically don’t require background checks, with details on each type to help you decide which best matches your skills and interests.
1. Construction Worker
Construction roles range from entry-level positions, like flaggers, to specialized trades, such as carpenters, electricians, and plumbers. Many construction jobs are high-demand and prioritize physical skills, teamwork, and reliability over background checks.
2. Pet Care Professional
Pet care positions include roles in shelters, boarding facilities, grooming services, and pet-sitting. These jobs focus on candidates’ ability to handle animals safely and responsibly. Drug tests might be required, but most facilities skip deeper screenings.
3. Landscaper
Landscaping involves tasks like mowing lawns, planting, and maintaining outdoor spaces. It’s perfect for those who enjoy physical labor and being outdoors. Many employers look for dependability and work ethic without requiring a background check.
4. Food Service Worker
Food service roles include cooks, servers, dishwashers, and bartenders. This industry values customer service and efficiency and is open to applicants from all backgrounds, often bypassing checks to fill positions quickly.
5. Delivery Driver
Delivery drivers handle package or food delivery for services like FedEx, Amazon, or local restaurants. While driving records are checked, companies generally avoid detailed background checks, especially for non-commercial driving roles.
6. Warehouse Worker
Warehouse work involves receiving, sorting, and shipping goods. These positions are often available in large numbers and prioritize task completion and reliability over background checks. Many warehouses even offer on-the-job training.
7. Customer Service Representative
Customer service roles focus on assisting customers, troubleshooting issues, and managing inquiries. Many companies seek friendly, patient individuals and are often open to remote work without requiring extensive checks.
8. Retail Specialist
Retail jobs involve stocking shelves, assisting customers, and handling transactions. Retail positions are ideal for gaining experience in customer service, and many retailers avoid background checks, especially for temporary or seasonal staff.
9. Content Creator
From video production to blog writing, content creation offers flexibility and self-employment options. Companies hiring creators look for portfolio quality rather than background details, making this a great option for creative individuals.
10. Freelance Writer
Freelance writers handle content for blogs, businesses, and publications. Clients focus on writing samples and skills, and freelance platforms offer many job postings that don’t require background checks.
11. Event Staff
Event staff assist with setup, organization, and breakdown for concerts, conferences, and fairs. These roles are ideal for those who enjoy dynamic environments and short-term work, often without background screening.
12. Personal Trainer or Fitness Instructor
If you’re certified in fitness, personal training positions at gyms or private studios offer a direct route to employment without background checks. Most places focus on your ability to instruct and motivate clients.
13. Artist or Craftsperson
For painters, sculptors, and other visual artists, work depends heavily on talent and the ability to create meaningful art. Many artists freelance or work with galleries, sidestepping the traditional employment screening process.
14. Bartender or Barback
Bartenders and barbacks assist with serving and preparing drinks, maintaining the bar area, and restocking supplies. Smaller bars often skip background checks, hiring based on personality and experience.
15. Housekeeper
Housekeepers work in hotels, private homes, or cleaning services, handling tasks like laundry, vacuuming, and organizing. Private clients and smaller companies tend to hire housekeepers based on references rather than background checks.
16. Mover
Moving companies need reliable teams for packing, lifting, and transporting items. As long as you’re physically capable and dependable, most moving companies hire without in-depth background screening.
17. Delivery Assistant
Delivery assistants help drivers with loading, unloading, and ensuring packages reach their destinations. This job often has fewer screening requirements since the main responsibility rests with the licensed driver.
18. Day Laborer
From yard work to assisting with construction, day labor roles are often available without extensive screening.
19. Hotel Front Desk Staff
Front desk staff handle check-ins, reservations, and guest questions. Many hotels look for people skills and a welcoming demeanor, with smaller hotels often skipping the background check process.
20. Handyman
Handymen handle a variety of repair and maintenance jobs, from fixing leaky faucets to painting walls. Independent handymen, in particular, have flexibility in finding work without background screenings.
21. Gardener
Gardeners care for plants, trim bushes, and maintain landscapes. These roles are available in private residences, parks, and businesses, often requiring little more than a strong work ethic and experience with plant care.
22. Caretaker or Groundskeeper
Caretakers maintain properties, handling cleaning, repairs, and sometimes security. They often work independently or in small teams and are frequently hired through recommendations, bypassing traditional background checks.
23. Market Researcher
Market researchers assist companies by collecting data, conducting surveys, and analyzing consumer preferences. Many positions in market research are contract-based, allowing candidates to secure work without screenings.
24. Freelance Editor or Proofreader
Freelance editors and proofreaders work remotely for authors, companies, and publications. They’re evaluated based on skills and experience, with little emphasis on background checks in the hiring process.
25. Seasonal Retail Associate
During busy seasons like holidays, retail stores need extra hands for tasks like stocking shelves and helping customers. Because the need is urgent and short-term, background checks are often skipped in favor of quick hires.
Tips to Stand Out in Jobs That Don’t Require Background Checks
If you’re applying for roles that typically don’t require background checks, there are still ways to make your application stand out and boost your appeal to hiring managers. Here are some actionable tips:
Build a Portfolio or Online Presence: For roles like content creator, freelance writer, or even customer service, showcasing your work through an online portfolio can make a strong impression. Use platforms like Rise, Behance, or your own website to highlight relevant projects and achievements.
Collect References and Testimonials: Even if a background check isn’t required, having positive references can be a great asset. Ask former supervisors, colleagues, or clients for testimonials that speak to your reliability, work ethic, and skills.
Highlight Relevant Certifications or Training: Some of these roles don’t require formal education, but specific certifications can help you stand out. For instance, if you’re interested in personal training, consider getting certified through organizations like NASM or ACE. If you're into digital marketing, certificates from Google or HubSpot can add value.
Showcase Transferable Skills: Many of these positions, such as retail specialist or customer service representative, benefit from strong communication, problem-solving, and time-management skills. Emphasize these in your resume and interviews to illustrate your versatility.
Network within Your Target Industry: Networking is valuable across all industries, especially if you’re entering a field where experience and references weigh heavily. Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn, Rise or attend local networking events to build connections and gain valuable advice.
The Pros and Cons of Working in Roles Without Background Checks
While these background-check-free roles offer a quicker path to employment, there are both advantages and drawbacks to consider. Here’s a balanced view to help you make an informed decision:
Pros
Faster Hiring Process: Jobs without background checks can offer a faster hiring process since there are fewer steps in screening. This can be ideal if you’re looking for immediate work.
Opportunities for All Backgrounds: These roles are typically more inclusive, providing chances for those with gaps in employment, prior convictions, or minimal experience to rebuild or start fresh.
Potential for Flexibility: Many of these roles, especially in freelancing, content creation, or gig work, offer flexible hours and locations. This flexibility can be valuable for balancing other commitments or responsibilities.
Skills Development: Many of these positions—such as customer service, retail, or food service—are great for developing foundational skills like communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, which are highly transferable to other roles.
Cons
Limited Upward Mobility: Some roles, like entry-level food service or retail, may have fewer growth opportunities within the company. Moving up might require additional experience, certifications, or transitioning to a new role.
Less Stability in Gig and Freelance Roles: Positions such as freelance writing or content creation often depend on contracts, which may vary in length and frequency, impacting income stability.
Physically Demanding Work: Certain roles, like warehouse work or landscaping, can involve physical labor, which may be challenging for some individuals. Consider your physical capabilities and long-term career goals when applying for these positions.
Fewer Benefits: Many of these jobs, especially in gig or temporary positions, may lack traditional benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement plans. It’s important to consider the total compensation package and any personal insurance needs when choosing one of these roles.
💫 Join the Rise community and connect with hundreds of supportive peers, mentors and companies!
By understanding the strengths and potential limitations of each role, you’ll be better prepared to find a position that aligns with your personal and professional goals. These jobs offer valuable opportunities for individuals from all walks of life to find meaningful work, develop new skills, and perhaps discover a fresh career path.
