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Background checks reveal a lot of information. Companies, individuals, and even government agencies use background checks to ensure that applicants are a good fit for the position. Typically, a background check will also reveal education history, references, and much more information.
So, do background checks show employment history? Read on to learn more about background checks and how they display employment history.
What Is a Background Check?
A background check is a process; not exactly a single thing. It’s a process that involves looking through someone’s public records to verify their identity. Aside from identity verification, background checks will also look through criminal records, court records, and other information that’s relevant to an applicant’s behavior.
The ultimate goal of a background check is for a company to determine if an applicant is a good fit for their work environment. Many employers will have specific criteria that they look for to determine if someone is a good fit. Failing to meet this criteria can result in failure of a background check; usually you won’t be hired at this point.
What Do Background Checks Look For?
Background checks look for a lot of information. They’re usually run by third-party agencies that run a public record search on you to verify your identity, skills, and criminal record. Most background checks will include the following information:
- Criminal records
- Court records
- Social media accounts
- Dating profiles
- Sex offender status
- Arrest records
- Education history
- Employment records
- Full name
- Address
- Email address
Information that shows up on a background check will vary based on the type of background check. For example, some jobs will also require driving records or financial records.
Do Background Checks Show Employment History?
Yes, background checks show employment history. Most background checks will look into someone’s employment background and verify any information that you’ve put on your resume. When you provide a resume, the company will check the past jobs you have worked at and reach out to them via email or phone call.
For this reason, you should never lie about your employment history. This can result in failing the background check and even cause issues for you in the future if you apply with the same company or run into the same hiring manager.
What Employment Information Shows Up on a Background Check?
Background checks reveal a lot of employment information, and employers can reach out to previous employers to learn more. For this reason, employment information is widely available to employers you plan on working with. Some information that may come up includes:
- Qualifications or any skills that you have
- The reason for your termination
- How you performed at your last job
- How well you performed your skills or specific tasks at your last job
- The accuracy of your employment dates
- How long you were employed for
- Speaking with references to verify the qualifications or qualities about yourself that you list on your resume
Most companies will work with a third-party agency to acquire this information but employers can also reach out on their own if they’re curious. Always check your resume before applying to prevent any problems or delays.
Do Background Checks Show Education History?
Background checks do show education history. When you write something about your education on your resume, an employer will verify the information to ensure that it’s legitimate. This likely includes requesting a transcript and contacting professors or other students you list as references. Employers may also contact university representatives to learn more about an applicant.
When you put information on your resume, always make sure it’s legitimate to avoid any issues during a background check.
Prepare for a Pre-Employment Background Check Today
Employers check for a lot of information when running a background check and this includes employment history. For this reason, you should always avoid putting false information on your resume or make sure that the contact information you have for your previous employers is up-to-date.
The good news is that tools like UnMask can help you prepare for a pre-employment background check. You can check all of your employment and education records to make sure they line up with what you have on your resume. UnMask can also help you find the correct contact information for references to prevent delays during the background check process. There’s no harm in being prepared.
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