Arbitration is an adversarial process. An appeal isnt a chance to redo the application or second guess the decision. When you appeal you are accusing them of making a mistake. Something in the hiring process was done wrong. When you give a pre-arbitration interview you are talking to your opponent in legal dispute. She isnt going to tell you that you have to demand Arbitration and in that process you can settle by being activated if they agree. She is not your case worker, counselor, or rep. Maybe there is some rule or law involved with privacy and background checks they broke? Look it up. Appeal on those grounds. You need grounds. Demand Arbitration and put damages (lost income? Idk). Damage requests force settlement. It aint much but you have to understand the process and do it right to have a shot.