What Is Revealed in an Employment Background Check?

Background checks often include the applicant's fingerprints.

Many jobs require a background check before the employer hires an applicant. The background check searches for the criminal history of the applicant, verifies where the applicant lives and previous work history, and checks the applicant's credit history. Credit checks ensure that the applicant does not have large outstanding debt obligations that might be perceived as an incentive for the applicant to steal money from the employer after hire.

Educational History

Background checks include an applicant's educational history. According to the Small Business Administration, most schools will not provide transcripts and other official records unless the student voluntarily requests them. This may include a fee paid by the student to the educational institution. Some employers, including government agencies, request applicants to send them official transcripts, with arrangements including payment as the responsibility of job applicants.

Bankruptcy

Reporting of bankruptcies is part of employment background checks. Bankruptcies are part of the public record, but they are not sufficient to deny an applicant a job by themselves, according to the Small Business Administration. The declaration of bankruptcy can affect an applicant's credit score if it is recent, and a poor credit score may be a factor in the decision of an employer to hire an applicant.

Consumer Reports

Background checks include consumer reports or credit checks, according to the Federal Trade Commission. These reports include an applicant's credit history as well as additional items on the applicant's moral character. Consumer reporting agencies provide reports that include many factors. According to the Federal Trade Commission, if an employer denies an applicant because of information in a consumer report, the consumer reporting agency must provide additional information including the opportunity for the applicant to dispute information in the consumer report.

Driving Records

Employers can ask for driving records during a background check. Many jobs require some driving. An employer may ask questions about whether an employee has points on their record because of automobile accidents, unpaid parking tickets or other infractions. A driver's license is also a method of identifying an applicant and verifying their residency in a state.

Fingerprints

Fingerprints are often a requirement of background checks. An employer wishes to ensure that the person that they are hiring matches other records that other agencies report. Live Scan is a fingerprinting technology that many government agencies use. According to the Attorney General of the State of California, Live Scan allows employers to receive information about an applicant's criminal record within three days. According to the Census Bureau, fingerprints are also necessary when an applicant wishes to dispute information on arrests that the FBI has on record.

References

• Small Business Administration: Pre Employment Background Checks
• Federal Trade Commission: Using Consumer Reports What Employers Need to Know
• US Census: Background Check FAQ
• State of California: Background Checks