What You Should Know about the Employment Background Check

There’s nothing that can get a person biting their nails harder than the thought of the employment background check. You start thinking about that wild night out in college that got you temporarily placed in handcuffs. You might even wonder if a few "mild" exaggerations on your resume could turn out to look like outright lies - and how this could affect you getting the job.

Only those who have lived like Mother Teresa feel totally comfortable with background checks in an Internet age where things can be said or posted about you without your knowledge. To help ease your tension some, let’s take a look at what some private investigators say about conducting employment background checks. You may find that you have nothing to worry about - or at least, that is the hope.

The Basics of the Identity Check

The first aspect of most background checks is the identity check. This check is for verifying who you are, so it will check on your social security number, driver’s license, date of birth, any aliases you may go by, your maiden name, and other bits of information that can help the employer make sure you’re who you say you are. Since there’s so much identity theft out there, employers have to be extremely careful in making sure that they don’t hire "you" when you’ve never actually applied for a job with their company.

What Else They Seek (and Find)

In typical employment background checks, employers will have someone search public records databases for items like your criminal history, credit reports, any civil suits and even your driving records. A company may also pay to have records that aren’t computerized searched in person at county courthouses all over the country.

Of course, you can expect that your previous employers will be called to verify employment dates and job titles. An employer may also call your colleges and universities to confirm that you’ve received the degrees you claim. However, if they feel they aren’t finding enough with their resources, potential employers may step it up and hire freelance investigators or contract researchers to check your records in whatever counties they desire. They may even have them interview former colleagues and neighbors. Yes, a background check can go pretty deep.

What They Won’t Find about You

So now that you’re completely petrified about a background check, let’s take a quick look at what they won’t find about you. Not too much. However, if you feel like conducting some research, you can find out whether your state forbids background checks that surpass seven years. If so, make sure not to volunteer info from 10 years ago for nothing. Also, remember that companies must have your written consent before running a check on your credit. So if you don’t want it to be seen, don’t sign on the dotted line.

Searching for a job can be difficult enough without having to worry about what an employer can find out about you during a background check. So if you’re asked to fill out background check consent forms, ask what they’re looking for - and turn it down, if you desire. However, keep in mind, most employers will run some type of background check so, in the end, you may have to consent and just cross your fingers.

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