What Do Employers See in a Background Check?

• Kristine Penning
• March 03, 2021
• Newsletter Article

What Do Employers See in a Background Check? - You can clean up your social media, but you can’t delete your past from public records. So, what exactly will an employer see when they run a background check on a candidate?

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In the Information Age, where information is more readily available than ever before with just a few strokes of the keyboard, it’s hard to hide anything from an employer. You can clean up your social media, but you can’t delete your past from public records. So, what exactly will an employer see when they run a background check on a candidate?

 

1. Employment History: Employers may want to follow up on who you’ve listed as your past employers to verify your work history and experience.


2. Criminal Record: If you have a criminal history, don’t panic. The accessibility of criminal records varies from state to state, and under the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, you can’t be denied employment based only on your record. Visit your state’s Department of Labor website to verify what an employer can check as far as criminal records.


3. Credit History: Credit information will include previous address information as well as finance history (credit card, student loan debt, car payments, late payments, etc.). If you have any past bankruptcies, employers will probably see this as well. Why is this even important? Should you apply to work with finances or be given access to a company credit card, this is important information for employers.


4. Driving Records: This information is most often public record and viewable by employers. If the job you are applying for requires driving (company vehicle, forklift, etc.), this may be taken into consideration

 

If you have reason to be concerned by employers running a background check on your history, take a breath. Remember to be honest, because they could find out if you lie and it will look worse. Address any concerns with your employer. Remain on top of your finances and let your past employers know they might be asked about you. Also educate yourself about your rights. Know that you may not have to answer questions related to criminal history, health, and personal information. For further information, check out our article, Illegal Interview Questions and How to Deal with Them.