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What Happens When a Candidate Fails Basic Qualification Questions?

When a candidate fails your Basic Qualification (BQ) questions, what happens next depends on your system preferences and workflow settings.

Updated over 2 weeks ago

Submittal Workflow Status

In your Submittal Workflow’s Defaults tab, the Disqualified Submittal setting determines the status candidates are placed in when they fail BQs.

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Company Preferences That Impact Failed BQ Candidates

Two key Company Preferences control how failed BQ candidates are handled:

BrightForms – Update & Decline Candidate on Failed BQs

ON: A candidate profile is created in BrightMove and placed into a **Disqualified Submittal** status.

OFF: No candidate profile is created if they fail BQs.

Allow Failed BQ Candidates to Continue Application

ON: A candidate profile is created and attached to the job, even after failing BQs.

OFF: No candidate profile is created if BQs are failed.

Steps to Determine What Happens to a Failed BQ Candidate:

1. Do you have a Portal BrightForm?

Yes: Continue to Step 2.

No: Continue to Step 3.

2. Is "BrightForms – Update & Decline Candidate on Failed BQs" turned ON?

Yes: A candidate profile is created, attached to the job, and placed in Disqualified Submittal status.

No: No candidate profile is created.

3. Is "Allow Failed BQ Candidates to Continue Application" turned ON?

Yes: A candidate profile is created and placed in Disqualified Submittal status.

No: No candidate profile is created.

If a Candidate Needs to Reapply After Failing BQs

By default, candidates cannot reapply to the same job after failing BQs.

To allow a candidate to reapply:

Delete the existing submittal (this can be done from either the Job Profile or Candidate Profile’s Submittals tab).

Note: Do not delete the candidate profile. Deleting the profile removes all history and data for that person.

Once the submittal is deleted, the system allows the candidate to apply again.

Important Compliance Note:

Deleting a submittal will remove the candidate’s previous BQ documentation tied to that submission. For compliance (e.g., OFCCP) and audit purposes:

  • Add a note to the candidate’s profile explaining that the submittal was deleted to allow reapplication due to an incorrect BQ response.

  • Be sure to document the reason clearly to maintain a proper audit trail.

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