What Is a Contingent Job Offer?

If you’ve just received a job offer, you’re likely excited about the prospect of starting a new job. However, if you’ve just received a contingent job offer, also referred to as a conditional job offer, it may be too early to start celebrating. As the name implies, such job offers are contingent on certain criteria being met. In some cases, the contingencies attached to job offers are merely formalities, but other times they can present real challenges to landing a job.

Typical Contingencies

Many employers often make contingent job offers to a candidate they want to hire but have not yet conducted a criminal background or reference check or ordered a drug test. Such job offers are contingent on traditional preemployment checks going through without a hitch. Unless you lied on your application or résumé, or have reason to think you won’t pass a drug test, these contingencies can be considered procedural formalities.

Other Contingencies

Some jobs may require that candidates be in good health, so employers may issue job offers contingent on candidates passing physical exams. In those cases, employers must complete all other, non-medical hiring procedures before extending a job offer. Other jobs may require that candidates work from a specific location, so the offer may be contingent on relocating. If a job requires that you drive a company vehicle, you may need to pass a motor vehicle department check to ensure you don’t have any negative marks on your driving record. In some cases, something as simple as a bad credit score may disqualify you from a job.