What Will an Employer Find on Your Background Check?
Chances are if you’re planning to apply for a job, you should plan on undergoing a background check.
So how do you know what will turn up on a background check? While the Fair Credit Reporting Act regulates what information an employer can and cannot use to make a hiring decision, there is plenty of information that employers can access.
According to the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse, there are a few steps you can take to reduce the chances that an employer will find any surprising information.
First, anyone who could potentially undergo a background check should know there are plenty of public records available that contain information about you. For instance, you can order a copy of your credit report, and if the report turns up information you don’t recognize or don’t agree with, that information should be disputed with the creditor or credit bureau. This also helps to recognize any potential identity theft.
If you have an arrest record or have been involved in a court case, you can inspect the county’s court records to make sure the information is correct and up to date. You also can request a copy of your driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles, which is particularly helpful if you are applying for a job that involves driving.
It should be known that you also can request previous background check reports, and can request to see a copy of your personnel file from any current or previous jobs.
It may help to let neighbors and work colleagues know you could be undergoing a background check and that they might be asked to provide information about you. It’s also important to monitor your online persona, especially if you have a Facebook or MySpace profile, as employers are beginning to consistently scour these sites for information.
Lastly, anyone concerned with the information an employer might find can always do their own background check by hiring a company to conduct one for you.