Imagine you’re waiting to be interviewed for a job. Are your palms sweaty? Is your heart racing? You worry a lot when interviewing for a job. You ask yourself endless questions: Do I have enough experience or education? Am I ready for any question they could throw at me? Even if you feel prepared, there’s one part of the application process that terrifies people: the background check.
You may be apprehensive about what your background check will uncover. Even simple issues can snowball because of inaccurate background checks. In Texas, a job applicant was denied a position when his background check incorrectly reported that his minor traffic offense was a drug trafficking charge.
On top of that, it’s hard to predict what’ll come up on a background check when each state has its own, distinct set of background check laws. This leads to the following questions. What shows up in a background check? How can you improve your background check results?
What Shows Up on Employment Background Checks?
The results hinge on the background checks your employer runs. Most employers use safety-based checks and add additional checks based on specific job duties or requirements. For example, the employer will run a license verification if the position calls for a professional license.
Reviewing the job duties and requirements will help you judge which reports your potential employer will run. Let’s look at what the most common checks reveal.
- Criminal records checks consist of criminal convictions, but don’t usually show expunged convictions, arrests, or non-convictions.
- Sex offender checks reveal if someone is currently a registered sex offender.
- Terrorism checks check global terrorist watch lists to ensure candidates are not on them.
- Identity verification verifies applicant identity by comparing basic information like name, address, date of birth, and SSN.
- Education verification shows an applicants schooling. For example, if they have a postsecondary degree, what college they received it from, and what they majored in.
- Work history verifications affirm where the applicant worked, the job’s start and end dates, job title, and what their duties were.
- License verifications confirm the applicant’s professional licenses, expiration date, and reveal if there are any restrictions on it.
- Credit reports include the applicant’s history of bankruptcies, loans, foreclosures, and credit accounts.
- Driving records checks look for traffic violations, verify license type, and reveal any license restrictions or endorsem*nts.
- Drug testing checks if the applicant has illegal drugs or controlled substances in their system.
These all seem like reasonable background checks. So, is there really anything to be worried about with background checks?
Why You Should Care About Background Checks?
Background checks uncover a lot, and a less than stellar history might make you anxious. Another concern may be an inaccurate background check, especially if this has been an issue in the past. These issues are a concern for anyone in the market for a new job.
Thankfully, you can improve your background check results and your anxiety. What can you do to calm your nerves and improve your results?
How Can You Improve Your Background Check Results and Your Anxiety?
Don’t stress about your background check report. Here are some ways you can boost your confidence.
- Be truthful on your application and in the interview. Lies are an immediate problem for any employer. If you’re unsure about the answer to a question, be frank with the interviewer.
- Understand your rights. Review your state’s background check laws and your rights under the FCRA. You can review your state’s background check laws by consulting legal websites or a lawyer. Inform yourself of what an employer can use and what they cannot.
- If you have a problematic past, explain the circ*mstances to the employer. Many employers will take into account the efforts made to your situation.
- Run a background check on yourself and verify the results. This will show you If something is incorrect. That way you can file a dispute with the screening company and get it corrected.
At Trusted Employees, we help run comprehensive background checks. We help employers and applicants create checks tailored for their needs. Contact us today to learn more.
Robyn K.
Robyn Kunz is the Chief Compliance Officer at Trusted Employees. She has worked in the background screening industry for over 15 years and holds Advanced Certification in the Fair Credit Reporting Act from the National Association of Professional Background.
FAQs
When in doubt, prepare and be honest. An employment background check is a normal part of the screening process for many jobs. If you've gotten this far in the hiring process and have been honest with your potential employer, you likely don't have to stress about what employers look for in a background check.
Should I be worried about failing a background check? ›
Failure to pass a background check can have serious ramifications for your work and personal life. Some of the implications of failing a background check include: Loss of job opportunity: Failure to pass a background check can result in the loss of a job opportunity.
Should I be worried about employment verification? ›
Should I be worried about a background check? A background check is a prerequisite of the hiring process and cannot be avoided. As long as you are honest on your resume and understand your rights, you will not have anything to worry about. Be sure to review the background check laws in your state before applying.
What will be the red flags on employment background check? ›
Some of the most common types of red flags include: The presence of one or more misdemeanor or felony criminal records. Discrepancies between reported employment experience and verified work history. Falsely claiming possession of professional or technical licenses.
What does a background check show about employment history? ›
For employment, background checks typically confirm past employers, positions held, employment dates, and reasons for leaving. Some checks only go back seven to 10 years while others can go further.
Can an employer rescind a job offer after a background check? ›
The following are examples of situations where an employer may wish to rescind a job offer: The candidate fails a legally required drug test. The company can no longer afford to hire a new employee due to budget cuts or financial instability. A background check reveals convictions that relate to job duties.
Can a job hire you then fire you because of your background? ›
The employer can terminate your employment even after you have already started working for the employer if adverse information is discovered in your background check.
Is it normal to be nervous about a background check? ›
Many times, candidates are worried about background checks because they fear rejection after nailing the interview. Don't panic! There are many misconceptions about background checks, but they are safety precautions that employers take to ensure they are hiring the right people into the organization.
What matters most in a background check? ›
Criminal History Matters Most
Criminal history is significant regarding background checks as it directly influences an employer's assessment of a candidate's suitability for employment. Employers often prioritize this aspect due to its potential impact on workplace safety, security and overall risk mitigation.
Can an employer see your work history? ›
Can employers see your work history? Employers can, and usually will, verify that you've worked at the jobs you list on your resume. However, they won't typically find past jobs that you haven't listed on your resume unless you added them to your credit report or posted about them on social media.
They'll let you know if you passed or failed the background check. Likely, they'll be able to give you a report, highlighting any red flags or issues that may have caused you to fail the employment background check.
How do you tell an employee they failed a background check? ›
This adverse action should also include:
- Written notification that you are taking adverse action based on the results of the background check.
- The background screening company's contact information.
- Written notification that the decision was made by the employer and no one else.
Do employers reach out immediately after background checks? Employers don't always contact you immediately after receiving the results of a background check. They may do so if they've already extended a job offer, and there was nothing of concern noted during the background check.
Can future employers see if I was fired? ›
Most often, you'll find out information such as a candidate's dates of service, job description, and job title. However, there are no state laws or federal protections that say employers can't tell you when they fired someone.
What if I lied about my employment history? ›
If they discover you lied about your qualifications, they may develop a poor view of you and disqualify you from consideration as a candidate. Lying might result in you being added to a do-not-hire list, which can make it challenging for you to pursue other opportunities within the organization.
How does HR verify past employment? ›
To obtain free employment verification of an applicant, an employer–or HR team member–will need to contact each workplace listed on the applicant's resume to determine if the applicant was employed there, how long they were employed, and the job titles held during their employment.
How common are mistakes on background checks? ›
Most job applicants do not expect their background check to have errors. Unfortunately, mistakes on background checks are quite common and can result in the loss of a job opportunity.
How do I know if I passed my background check accurately? ›
If you want to know whether you passed your check, you can either reach out to the employer who requested it or reach out to the background check company itself. Ultimately, you can fight for yourself, especially if you fail your background record check.
Why am I worried about a background check? ›
There are many reasons why someone may fear having a background check done on their past. Generally, these checks are to determine whether or not someone is worthy of being hired for employment. Gaining employment for some people can be a hard enough task as it is let along having to submit to a check.
