Background checks can be an anxiety-inducing process, and it’s confusing to really know what is going to be on your background check report, especially if you have never completed the background check process before. Our article is here to help you understand if a background check shows your employment history and all of the other details that this report might provide.
Why Do I Need a Background Check?
A background check is a way for a potential employer or another individual to ensure you are eligible for employment, honest about your qualifications, and not hiding any potentially disqualifying information.
In general, background checks allow people to check for criminal activity and to ensure that a person is honest and accurate about their personal history.
The most common reason for a background check to be requested is for employment purposes, but individuals submitting applications for volunteer positions, individuals applying for certain types of professional licenses, and those who need access to classified areas may also be subject to background checks.
Are Background Checks Legal?
Background checks are perfectly legal, though they can feel invasive to some. A background check is an easy way for employers to ensure employees are honest and to perform their due diligence during the hiring process.
Additionally, background checks help individuals ensure that others are safe to be around and provide valuable information when it comes to professional certifications, certain qualifications, and criminal records.
That being said, a background check is illegal when an employer or another individual does not follow state laws for requesting a background check report and conducts it without the individual’s knowledge. Always make sure your rights are respected when agreeing to background check reports.
Simply put, yes – a background check will show your employment history. A background check is a look into your previous personal history, and all manner of information is included on these reports.
In addition to your employment history (this typically includes company names and dates of employment), your background check report might show:
- Your name and date of birth
- Your current and previous addresses
- Your educational history
- Any professional licenses or certifications you have earned
- Criminal history record
- Civil court records
- Traffic records, only on some types of background checks
It’s important that you are always accurate when applying for a position, as your information can easily be checked against the details of your background check report. However, you should also keep in mind that anyone requesting a background check report must do so by following state background check laws and that your information is subject to varying disclosure and consent laws depending on your state.
Can I Hide My Employment History From a Background Check?
It’s not possible to hide your employment history from a background check. These checks utilize publicly available information, and your employment details may be noted on government records in addition to online accounts or employee records.
In many cases, employers will check your background check report against your employment history listed on a job application, making it suspicious if these documents do not match.
There is one exception to this, however. If you are in danger or have a serious privacy concern about someone accessing your current or previous employers, you may be able to file a legal request to have this information removed from public record. You can also file opt out requests for people search websites and other online information websites.
Do Background Checks Ever Show Incorrect Information?
It is possible for background checks to show incorrect information, though this generally only happens when there is a conflict with your name or social security number. Names that are identical assigned to individuals similar in age may be confused on official records, and this can result in inaccuracies on your background check report.
Similarly, if you have criminal information on your background check report but your criminal charges were dropped or expunged, this can result in serious issues when an employer looks through your background check report. It’s important to routinely check your own background report to ensure that all of the information is up-to-date and accurate.
Will a Background Check Show Employment History? Understanding These Checks
Background checks are often a necessary evil, and it’s important that you understand exactly what is shown on your background check so you can properly prepare for an official look at your personal history.
You can prepare by performing your own background check and looking through the details; this helps you check for inaccuracies and shows you what a potential employer or other individual might see when they receive your background check report.
