Background Checks - what do they look for?

Written By Carolyn Novick

Employment Background Checks – are you curious what goes on behind the curtain?  Many things can be checked depending on the needs of the employer. 

And there are some basics that you should expect (identity, employment history and likely educational background if the role requires it).

But WHAT and HOW MUCH varies based on the needs of the employer and related to things like the industry and situationally like safety or working with at risk individuals…imagine health care of children.

The software checking can be quite sophisticated and could cross country as well.  

So net-net be honest on your resume.

Here are some things an employer could look to verify:

1. Identity Verification

2. Employment History Verification

3. Educational Background

4. Criminal Record Check

  • per experts - they must have your written consent to do this check.

5. Reference Checks

6. Credit Check

·       (role-dependent and per experts they must get your consent)

7. Professional Licenses or Certifications (if applicable)

8. Social Media or Online Presence Check

9. Driving Record (if applicable)

What Employers Can’t Do - According to experts (I am not one of them so verify):

  • They cannot check your credit or criminal record without explicit permission.

Thought this may be of interest and note this is not my area of expertise but thought I would share some info from an industry podcast (Get Hired) and from CHAT GPT (Canadian reference).

Do your own research and also consider asking the employer what they cover in their search.

Carolyn Novick
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