When we accept a contingent job offer and enter the pre-employment background check stage, we often get a little nervous. Our worst violation of the law may be a speeding ticket from twenty years ago. That doesn’t stop uncertainty from creeping in, though. So, exactly what do employers learn about us during pre-employment background checks? Well, today’s post sheds light on what our new employers learn about us during this potentially nerve-wracking process.
Some employers only investigate back seven years in history. Some investigate further. So, let’s look at ten of the most-common pre-employment background check revelations, about us, for our new employer?
Characteristics Revealed During Background Checks
- Our Date of Birth differentiates us from others who have the same name.
- The process requires the use of our Legal Name. So, even if you don’t like the name your parents “blessed” you with, your new employer will soon know it.
- Our Social Security Number provides the most accurate means of differentiating us from others with the same name and birth date.
- A search of our Driver’s License Number reveals our driving record and often confirms our state of residency and current mailing address.
- A basic pre-employment background check reveals, minimally, our Criminal History; however, different packages can include a check of County, Federal, Statewide, National and/or International…especially if the federal government is your new employer.
- Our Education confirms if we have the level of education that our target position requires.
- The search using our driver’s license number reveals our Driving History.
- Our Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List status reveals members of terrorist groups and blocks their assets to reduce their ability to contribute to acts of terrorism and other international crimes.
- Our Sex Offender Registry status reveals if we’ve been convicted of a sex-related crime.
- Many employers only run a Credit History check for positions that have money-handling duties. While a low credit score may not automatically disqualify us for the job, bankruptcies, charge-offs, foreclosures, recent excessive late payments, repossessions, etc., likely do.
Conclusion
This is why I stress the importance of being honest. We don’t want our prospective new employer to question our integrity. My advice is to give a little detail on the self-disclosure questionnaire. Even if we do have infractions that cost us that job, there will be other jobs. Subsequently, we may have to redirect our efforts to career fields and/or employers that are a little more forgiving.
To learn more about the pre-employment background check process, read Double Check Criminal Background Checks on SHRM.org. One of my previous blog posts, 9 Ways to Have a Successful Job Search in Spite of a Criminal Record, also shares resources to help job candidates overcoming their legal background.
Career Search Success to You! Go Get Your New Job!
