When a potential employer sends you for a drug test does that automatically mean that you are being hired on??

Answer 1

Most public major U.S. employers have a drug testing policy. All suppliers to the US government, by law, pretty much must have a drug testing policy/protocol.

Texas Instruments was the first to start and Motorola, largely modeling its policy after TI, instituted one as well. This was about 15 or so years ago.

There are pre-employment drug tests as well as drug tests that are performed for cause or randomly once you are employed, depending upon who you work for.

Being sent for a drug test when you apply for a job is not an indication of being hired. First and foremost, a pre-employment drug test is affectionately referred to as "an intelligence test." By this we mean, if you've been taking drugs recently enough to show up in a drug test, you will NOT show up for the drug test to begin with. This is a sign of your intelligence because you would prefer to be embarrassed by not showing up, as opposed to being embarrassed by showing up positive for drugs. This saves the potential employer money and time because if you know you're likely to test positive you will abandon your application with this company.

So, if you know you are drug-free you will probably show up for the drug test (barring some political/philosophical problem you have with it) which is one more way the employer can evaluate your seriousness and qualifications to work for them.

Some companies have post-employment drug tests. Esp. companies that do military/govt. work. Some have "for cause" post-employment drug tests. Some have had random drug tests post-employment but have quietly stopped doing them because in this time of down-sizing/outsourcing and so forth, it is another cost they can cut. They don't advertise this with their employees, but the statistics over the last 10-15 years have shown that companies with drug testing policies find less and less drug abuse in their population over time. Again, it's an intelligence test. If you want your job and you're doing dope for fun, you stop, unless you can't.

Random drug test means you literally are picked at random by a computer algorithm and it has nothing to do with suspicion. Therefore, you can get picked several times in a few years and somebody else may not get picked at all. This is considered "fair" by employees who are in these companies because they feel if there are going to be drug tests everybody should "have the chance" to be tested.

When an employee demonstrates a potential drug/alcohol issue, esp. in a job involving safety, for-cause tests can be mandated. For sure there are legit non-invasive tests for drug abuse, however, the issue of alcohol abuse, which involves invasive tests sometimes, is to the best of my knowledge, still up in the air. It's very, very dicey.

Companies like TI and Motorola, even when they have an employee who tests positive, usually give that person "one strike" and will provide outside assistance, including rehab and counseling. However, they will then retest deliberately, with you as a target, on a regular basis (at least twice a year) to make sure you are in recovery, even if your use was recreational. If you retest positive again, you will be terminated.

Answer 2

It depends on the employer. I worked for a company that only did drug testing if they had already made up their mind to hire you (provided you pass the test.) However I interviewed for another company, a large grocery store chain that sent for drug testing and didn't hire me. They told me I was their 2nd choice, that they had someone with more experience that htey went with. So it is a good sign, but not a for sure. If you can, find out what the Company's hiring practices are. Drug testing is expensive, so they usaully only do it if they are very interested.

Answer 3

You know, initially you would think that drug testing is used as part of the 'weeding out' process and, in a way, it is. Employers only require 'candidates' to submit to drug testing - this means that you have passed most of the requirements for hiring and have to clear this last hurdle. The testing process fulfills the employer's policy of not hiring drug usuers, be it casual or habitual. It also satisfies the requirements of the employer's insurance company - drug users are considered high-risk and not worth the higher coverage costs.

Answer 4

Yes. A company does not spend the money for a drug test without the intention of hiring you.
There are also issues of privacy. Employers can drug test for certain reasons like pre-employment or post accident but they cannot test random individuals. That is essentially what you are if not employed by them.

Answer 5

Being in HR, It is called a conditional hire. You already sent the resume and got the interview. You nailed the interview and now must meet the conditions set forth by the employer - drug screening. Technically the employer must wait 24-48 hours before they get the test results (longer if positive-not a good sign). If they ask you to work and then a positive test result comes in, they will let you go for failing to meet their hiring criteria. However, you CAN challenge the test and have them retest the sample but it will cost you (about $28+).

Answer 6

It is definitely a final step they usally don't spend the money on the test if you are not a very strong candidate for the position. If you already interviewed and then go for the drug test you are really close to being hired.

Good Luck!!!

Answer 7

It is likely they will offer you a position when you (hopefully) pass the test. The drug screening costs money, and they certainly would not send everyone that applies. I should note that they might send a couple of people, so it's not a lock - just a very good indication.

Answer 8

No, it is normally one of the final steps before a job is offered, but there is no guarantee. They very well could be sending in other prospects for their test too.
I have had a hard time selecting between applicants and have tested them all before going to the final interviews.
but I will say, it is a very good indication that you may very well get the job. Drug tests are not cheap and if they were not interested in you, they wouldnt want to pay for it!

Answer 9

This does NOT mean they are probably going to hire you if the ask you to sit a drug test. Its a good chance they may, but a lot of companies ask you to do this and you may still not get the job.

Answer 10

Nothing is a given but why would they pay for you to do a drug test if they were not very serious in hiring you?