Employment background checks help employers verify candidate information and identify potential hiring risks before making a decision. Depending on the role, industry, and screening package, background checks may include several types of searches and verifications.
In this guide, we’ll explain what typically shows up on a background check for employment and how employers use this information during the hiring process.
For a complete overview of employment screening, see our Complete Guide to Employment Background Checks for Employers.
An employment background check may include a combination of screening components designed to verify a candidate’s identity, qualifications, and history. The specific information included can vary depending on the employer’s requirements and the nature of the position.
Identity verification helps confirm that the candidate is who they claim to be. This may include:
Criminal background checks may reveal records such as:
Employers typically evaluate criminal history based on its relevance to the job, the severity of the offense, and how much time has passed.
Employment verification confirms a candidate’s work history, including:
This helps employers ensure that candidates have accurately represented their experience.
Education verification confirms academic credentials such as:
This is especially important for roles requiring specific educational qualifications.
For regulated roles, employers may verify:
This helps ensure compliance with industry requirements.
For positions involving driving, employers may review:
This helps assess risk for roles that require operating a vehicle.
Some employers include drug testing as part of the hiring process to support workplace safety policies. Drug screening requirements vary based on company policy and applicable regulations.
Not all information is accessible through employment background checks. In many cases, employers do not see:
Employers must also comply with federal and state laws that regulate what information can be reported and used in hiring decisions.
No. Background checks can vary significantly depending on:
Employers often customize screening packages to align with the level of responsibility and risk associated with a position.
Background check results are used as one part of the overall hiring decision. Employers typically evaluate:
To learn more about how employers evaluate screening results, see our guide on What Disqualifies Someone in a Background Check.
Understanding what shows up on a background check is just one part of building an effective hiring process.
For a complete overview of how employment background checks work, including compliance requirements and best practices, visit our Complete Guide to Employment Background Checks for Employers.