by Kirsten Hines

Created on: July 20, 2010   Last Updated: July 29, 2010

The words "background check" to many people can be a scary thing, especially when you have finally found the right job for you after months of searching.  Employers do background checks to ensure the teams they are hiring are reliable and honest.  With lawsuits on the rise, this is another way for employers to protect themselves.  The background check will vary for each employer.

The most important thing, do not lie on your application.  Many of these small tidbits will be caught when an employer does a background check.  Do not exaggerate dates of your employment, the school you attended or skills you have.  When discussing your salary with former employers, many HR departments have the ability to find out how much you made at your past jobs. 

Companies will let you know they are running a background check and in some areas the employer requires your consent before they are allowed to research your history.  This is the “The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act”, these include your education records, military service records, and medical records are included under this law.

Many employers will run a check on your criminal history it is important to be honest on the application, this will not stop the employer from hiring you.  According to Brad L Jones, “If you were arrested but not convicted you do not need to report this on your application” 

The quality of the background check will largely depend on the job you are applying for.   In some states you can get a free copy or pay for a copy of our own background check to know what employers will see.  A website such as http://choicetrust.com/ can do this for you for a nominal fee.

A credit check has become more of a standard than ever before.  Checking your credit history to see how reliable of a person you are.  The companies however cannot see your credit score; it is mainly to see how responsible you are, especially if you are applying for a job that is dealing with money. 

Reference checks from a former employer can say anything that is truthful.  Many employers have a rule that they will only verify the dates of employment and your end salary for fear of a lawsuit from the former employee. 

A background check is not a bad thing; it is just the way a company is making sure you are a good match.  Being honest with an employer is the smart way to get a job. 

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