Background checks are a convenient way to verify an individual’s data. It includes various details about the person, ranging from criminal records to credit information. However, not all background checks are the same. The extent of the information found on background checks can vary, depending on what the employer requests. So a background check may or may not show employment history.
While this partially answers whether background checks show employment history, there’s more to it. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know about employment history on background checks. Read on to be better prepared for your next application and learn what your employment history may cover.
What Do Typical Background Checks Show?
Background checks show an extensive list of information. This can be as simple as your criminal records or the schools you’ve attended, along with any other educational credentials you might have. The following is a quick summary of what you can expect to see in a typical background check.
- Criminal Records: Background checks show past arrests, convictions, and outstanding warrants. This information covers local, state, and federal criminal records and provides a detailed overview of the person’s involvement in illegal activities.
- Employment History: A thorough employment history is also a component of most background checks. It includes a wide range of information about the individual’s previous workplaces and other details prior to the background check.
- Education: Background checks verify educational qualifications claimed by an individual to ensure the person has received the relevant credentials.
- Credit History: When applicable for a job or a finance-related activity, background checks may show credit history to assess an individual’s financial responsibility.
- Driving Records: Background checks may show an individual’s driving records that include any traffic violations, accidents, and license suspensions.
- Online Presence: This component of background checks is more recent than others. In most cases, it’s an overview of online presence, such as social media accounts.
Details of Employment History on a Background Check
A background check is likely to include employment history. But the depth of it depends on the circumstances and what the employer requests. Below is an overview of the key components commonly found in employment history checks.
Past Employers
Employment history checks list the companies and organizations the individual has worked for in the past. This component includes the names of previous employers or supervisors and their contact information.
Dates of Employment
This shows the duration the individual has worked for previous employers. If there are gaps between the end of a job and the start of a new one during the individual’s career, it may also be flagged as an employment gap.
Job Titles and Responsibilities
Job titles and duties are a vital component of employment history checks. It details the individual’s past job titles and responsibilities. Since the previous positions held by an applicant are a critical aspect of the hiring process, employers often review this part more than others.
Reasons for Leaving
Employment history checks include why the individual has left their position. This part is often very straightforward and explained in a few words like ‘money’ or ‘health problems.’
Salary Information
Employment history checks include salary information, but what’s covered here varies. While most background checks show base pay, others may also include tips, incentives, rewards, and other remuneration.
How to Run a Background Check on Yourself?
There are three main ways to do a background check on yourself. You can:
- purchase a background check from a provider.
- run a free background check.
- request and compile your information.
A typical background check costs between $50 and $100, but it can run you as much as several hundred dollars, depending on the components included. A third-party provider will gather your documents and present you with a full report. This is the most hassle-free way of running a background check.
Before buying a background check from a third-party provider, consider running a background check on a background check website. Although what’s included in a free background check is usually not as comprehensive as a paid version, it will provide you with enough data that you won’t need from a paid background check.
Since nobody knows you better than yourself, you can also request your documents and gather all your information. This may take some work, but it will be the most accurate way to complete a background check on yourself.
Keep Background Checks Legal
It is illegal to run a background check without an individual’s consent, whether to find their employment history or criminal records. However, this isn’t needed if the information is already public. That’s also how free background check websites gather data about an individual’s work history. So any information about you out there that’s public doesn’t require your consent to be viewed.