每个雇主都会有独特的方法。所以，如果你想知道，“雇主在背景调查中寻找什么？” 没有一个正确的答案。 

除了个人偏好外，筛选过程会因以下因素而异：

就业前筛查也没有单一的信息来源。使用Checkr等综合服务时，您的就业筛选将访问许多可信赖的信息来源。 

雇主在背景调查中寻找什么？背景调查中的大多数信息都是公共记录的一部分，但雇主很难独立收集这些信息。一些背景调查服务还对包含雇主不能或不使用的信息的详尽报告收费。其他低成本服务可能包括过时或不准确的数据。 

雇主遵循许多影响他们如何选择完成就业前检查的法律和法规。独立进行这些检查是有风险的，因此大多数人会使用受信任的第三方解决方案。

《公平信用报告法》（FCRA）规定了雇主在联邦层面的背景调查期间可以使用和不可以使用哪些信息。FCRA 指南还概述了在背景调查过程开始之前获得候选人许可的要求。其中一项要求是雇主必须以书面形式通知您任何背景调查，并在开始之前获得您的书面授权。

那么，雇主在背景调查中寻找什么？他们将您视为具有特定职责的职位的候选人。他们执行的任何检查都会从那个角度考虑您的背景。雇用前调查可能会检查您的：

它还可能包括对您的驾驶记录、社交媒体信息或信用记录的审查。

您的潜在雇主计划收集的数据必须具有允许的目的。例如，如果您申请送货司机职位，您的驾驶记录可能会被审查，以评估您安全执行的能力。 

在审查申请人时，雇主经常结合使用轶事和数据驱动的信息。背景调查可以提供一些有价值的数据。 

让我们谈谈我们在背景调查中提供的一些常见类型的信息。

在关于背景调查的谈话中，犯罪搜查通常是首先想到的事情。雇主在犯罪背景调查中寻找什么？该记录通常包括：

背景调查有助于建立信任和透明的社区，从而使消费者和最终用户都受益。背景调查还可以减轻疏忽雇用和不当解雇诉讼。

没有犯罪信息的中央数据库，因此 Checkr 使用人工智能平台来提供全面的犯罪背景信息。 

就业前筛查也可以确认您的身份。这听起来像是一件奇怪的事情，但2020 年有超过4900 万人成为身份欺诈的受害者。 

社会安全号码 (SSN) 跟踪与身份验证不同。虽然 SSN 跟踪检查提交的信息是否与与特定 SSN 相关的商业可用数据相匹配，但这并不意味着确定输入该信息的人是否是他们声称的人。这种类型的验证最好由直接与员工接触的一方执行——无论是雇主还是承包公司。

雇主也可能会验证您的工作申请中的地址，以确认您在申请中提供的信息是准确的。虽然匆忙浏览工作申请的工作历史部分可能很诱人，但如果申请需要以前工作场所的地址，请查看以确保地址正确。

在考虑候选人时，许多雇主会考虑他们过去的工作经验。一些职位空缺需要一定数量的行业或职位的先前经验。雇主还使用这些数据来评估技能和经验。就业验证包括：

人力资源经理和前主管通常会将他们对就业验证的回答限制在这些简单的问题上，以避免法律或诽谤索赔。 

我们的流程将验证您的最后三位雇主。如果您在多个国家有工作经验，这仍然是一个轻松的过程，因为我们提供国内和国际唱片收藏。我们的候选人门户可让您轻松地在桌面或移动设备上检查您的报告状态，这样您就可以在等待时了解正在发生的事情。 

一些雇主在申请时要求提供参考资料，而另一些雇主会在申请过程的后期要求提供一份参考资料清单。雇主在背景调查中检查什么？优秀的推荐信将帮助您的雇主从您过去的经理或同事的角度了解您的性格、技能以及您为工作场所带来的东西。

不同的州对雇主如何在招聘过程中使用社交媒体信息有具体的法律。也就是说，70%的雇主使用社交媒体来筛选潜在候选人。根据 Checkr 最近的一份报告，接受调查的高管中有75%承认会在线搜索候选人以了解更多关于他们的记录。虽然雇主最有可能查看 LinkedIn、Twitter 和 Facebook，但雇主可以查看您在线拥有的任何社交媒体帐户。 

此外，47%的雇主还希望候选人拥有社交媒体形象。一些候选人会出于专业目的创建独特的社交账户。雇主在通过社交媒体进行背景调查时会寻找什么？这些是前三名：

雇主在有关教育和其他证书的背景调查中寻找什么？除了完成学位之外，招聘团队可能会使用此信息来确认您的教育已经为您准备好担任他们想要填补的角色。 

例如，法学副教授的候选人应具有经认可的法学院的本科学位和法学博士学位。此外，他们需要通过律师资格考试。 

大多数教育验证涵盖您的整个学术历史，直至您完成的最高学位。Checkr 完成国内和国际教育验证。 

对您的驾驶记录进行背景调查对于涉及驾驶车辆的工作来说是典型的。除了送货、卡车运输和重型建筑工作之外，这种类型的筛选也可能出现在销售工作或您可能使用公司汽车开会的其他职位中。

在此检查期间，可能会出现不安全的驾驶记录、大量罚单或过去的酒驾。Checkr 为希望扩大司机网络、提高安全性、节省成本和建立强大品牌的雇主提供持续的机动车检查。  

这是另一个角色特定的筛选。如果您想知道雇主在背景调查中会寻找什么——金融行业（包括贸易、银行和贷款服务）的雇主通常会审查您的信用评分。如果这些信息与职位描述相关，一些雇主可能会对这些信息进行就业前检查。 

大约16%的雇主在就业前筛查期间进行信用检查。就业信用检查在 11 个州和司法管辖区受到严格限制，包括：

尽管看起来任何支票都会显示各种各样的信息，但雇主在招聘过程中无法访问或使用某些数据。 

雇主会知道您在哪里上学和毕业日期，但他们无法获得您的全部学习记录或成绩。

私人雇主无权访问军事记录。即使这些信息出现在您的简历中，您希望的雇主也不会在您的筛选过程中确认这些信息。除非您选择在申请材料中分享，否则他们不会收到有关表扬或解雇的数据。

医患保密可以保护医疗记录，因此背景调查不会包括您病史的任何详细信息。

虽然许多背景调查会审查您的犯罪记录，但它们并不包括该记录的全面详细信息。许多州也有法律将这种搜索保留到过去七年，但每个司法管辖区都有自己的回溯期。其他人则限制使用逮捕记录和驳回指控。所有州都禁止使用密封或删除的记录。

在招聘过程中，雇主不能询问、研究或使用其他一些事情来拒绝您的工作申请。这些包括但不限于：

如果在申请过程中出现任何这些主题，请务必以书面形式记录提及。

现在您对雇主在背景调查中寻找什么有了更好的了解，让我们谈谈您可以如何准备。 

在开始工作申请流程之前，将您的论文和任何学术成绩单的数字副本放在一起。归档工资单和其他显示您工作历史的记录也是一个好主意。保留过去雇主和推荐人的联系信息列表。这将更容易准确地完成工作申请。

检查您自己的背景记录是个好主意，这样您就可以看到潜在雇主计划审查的相同信息。

如果您不确定自己在哪里可以找到此信息，以下是一些有用的资源：

您可能还想在 Google 上查找自己，并确保您对在网上找到的有关您自己的信息感到满意。

接下来，查看您的社交媒体供稿。您可以将您的社交媒体帐户设置为私人帐户。如果这对您不起作用，您可能需要编辑您认为可能会对您在工作场所取得成功的能力产生错误印象的帖子或图像。  

与您的推荐人保持联系，并在您的新职业道路、技能组合和即将进行的推荐人检查中更新他们。这样，您的推荐人就可以为潜在的外展服务做好准备。 

如果您对就业验证有任何疑虑，联系您以前的工作场所也是一个好主意。您可以向以前的雇主索取您的人事档案副本，以便全面了解他们可能分享的内容。 

完成独立背景调查后，为接下来可能发生的事情做好准备。如果您有任何疑虑，请安排与您的潜在雇主的对话。如果您不习惯发起此对话，请创建一个大纲，以便您准备好回答问题。 

如果潜在雇主确实发现了一些问题，请了解您作为候选人的权利。如果雇主因为筛选过程中的发现而决定拒绝您的申请，则 必须遵循不利行动通知流程。

他们将向您发送一份文件，解释他们发现的导致他们做出决定的确切信息。他们还将告诉您如何获取报告的副本。

为了清楚地了解雇主在提供工作机会之前可能会寻找什么，您还应该了解一些其他事情。 

一些行业，包括运输、医疗保健和制造业，可能会进行就业药物或健康检测。这是为了合规并减少事故和伤害风险。此测试与背景调查是分开的，但它也可能是各种角色招聘流程的一部分，包括：

在准备背景调查时，请保持冷静和自信。每个雇主都有自己的裁决标准。大多数人都会给你机会解释你筛选过程中出现的任何事情，尤其是那些可能无法反映你今天是谁以及你可以为他们的组织带来什么的信息。

Every employer will have a unique approach. So, if you’re wondering, “what are employers looking for in a background check?” there isn’t one correct answer. 

Besides individual preference, screening processes will vary by:

There also isn’t one single source of information for pre-employment screening. When working with a comprehensive service like Checkr, your employment screening will access many trusted information sources. 

What do employers look for in background check screenings? Most information in a background check is part of the public record, but it’s tough for employers to collect this information independently. Some background check services also charge for exhaustive reports that include information employers can’t or don’t use. Other low-cost services can include dated or inaccurate data. 

Employers follow many laws and regulations that impact how they choose to complete a pre-employment check. It’s risky to conduct these checks independently, so most will use trusted third-party solutions.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) dictates which information an employer can and cannot use during a background check, at the federal level. FCRA guidelines also outline the requirements for candidate permission before the background check process begins. One of the requirements is that an employer must notify you about any background check in writing and get your written authorization before they start.

So, what do employers look for on a background check? They are looking at you as a candidate for a role with specific responsibilities. Any check they perform will consider your background from that angle. A pre-hire investigation might check your:

It may also include a review of your driving record, social media feeds, or credit history.

The data your potential employer plans to collect must have a permissible purpose. For example, if you’re applying for a delivery driver position, your driving record will likely be reviewed to assess your ability to perform safely. 

Employers often use a combination of anecdotal and data-driven information when reviewing applicants. A background check can provide some of this valuable data. 

Let’s talk about some common types of information that we deliver in a background check.

Criminal searches are often the first thing that comes to mind during a conversation about background checks. What do employers look for in a criminal background check? This record usually includes:

Background checks benefit both the consumer and end user by helping establish a community of trust and transparency. Background checks can also mitigate negligent hiring and wrongful termination lawsuits.

There is no central database of criminal information, so Checkr uses an AI-powered platform to provide comprehensive criminal background information. 

Pre-employment screening also works to confirm your identity. This may sound like a strange thing to check, but over 49 million people were victims of identity fraud in 2020. 

A social security number (SSN) trace is not the same as ID verification. While the SSN trace checks whether submitted information matches commercially available data associated with the particular SSN, it is not meant to determine whether the person entering that information is who they claim to be. That type of verification is best performed by the party directly engaging with the employee—whether that’s the employer or the contracting company.

An employer might also verify addresses on your job application to confirm that the information you provided on your application is accurate. While it may be tempting to rush through the job history section of a job application, if an application requires the address of a former workplace, look it up to make sure the address is correct.

When considering a candidate, many employers consider their past job experience. Some job openings require a set amount of prior experience in an industry or position. Employers also use this data to assess skill sets and experience. Employment verification includes:

HR managers and former supervisors will usually limit their responses for employment verification to these simple questions to avoid legal or defamation claims. 

Our process will verify your last three employers. This is still a stress-free process if you have work experience in multiple countries because we offer both domestic and international record collection. Our candidate portal makes it easy to check your report status on desktop or mobile, so you know what’s happening while you wait. 

Some employers request references at the time of application, while others will request a list of references later in the application process. What do employers check in background checks? Excellent references will help your employer get a sense of your character, skills, and what you bring to the workplace from the perspective of your past managers or coworkers.

Different states have specific laws about how employers can use social media feeds during the hiring process. That said, 70% of employers use social media to screen prospective candidates. According to a recent Checkr report, 75% of executives surveyed admit to searching a candidate online to learn more about their record. While employers are most likely to check LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook, an employer could look at any social media account you have online. 

In addition, 47% of employers also expect candidates to have a social media presence. Some candidates will create unique social accounts for professional purposes. What do employers look for in a background check via social media? These are the top three:

What do employers look for in a background check around education and other credentials? In addition to completion of a degree, hiring teams may use this information to confirm that your education has prepared you for the role they’re looking to fill. 

For example, a candidate for associate professor of law should have an undergraduate degree and a Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. In addition, they need to have passed a bar examination. 

Most education verification covers your entire academic history up to the highest degree you’ve completed. Checkr completes both domestic and international education verification. 

A background check into your driving record is typical for jobs that involve driving a vehicle. In addition to delivery, trucking, and heavy construction jobs, this type of screening may also come up in sales jobs or other positions where you might use a company car for meetings.

An unsafe driving record, extensive tickets, or a past DUI could surface during this check. Checkr offers continuous motor vehicle checks for employers looking to expand their driver networks, improve safety, create cost savings, and build a strong brand.  

This is another role-specific screening. If you’re wondering what do employers look for on a background check—it is typical for employers in finance, including trading, banking, and loan services, to review your credit score. Some employers may do a pre-employment check on this information if it’s relevant to the job description. 

About 16% of employers run credit checks during pre-employment screening. Credit checks for employment are heavily restricted in eleven states and jurisdictions, including:

Though it may seem like any check will surface a wide variety of information, there is data that employers cannot access or use during the hiring process. 

An employer will know where you went to school and your graduation date, but they will not have access to your entire academic record or your grades.

Private employers don’t have access to military records. Even if this information is on your resume, your hopeful employer will not confirm the information during your screening. They will not receive data on commendations or discharges unless you choose to share them in your application materials.

Doctor-patient confidentiality protects medical records, so a background check will not include any details on your medical history.

While many background checks review your criminal record, they do not include comprehensive details on that record. Many states also have laws to hold this search to the last seven years, but every jurisdiction has their own lookback period. Others restrict the use of arrest records and dismissed charges. All states ban the use of sealed or expunged records.

There are a few other things that employers cannot ask about, research on, or use to decline your job application during the hiring process. These include but are not limited to:

If any of these topics come up during the application process, be sure to document mentions in writing.

Now that you have a better sense of what employers look for in background checks let’s talk about how you can prepare. 

Before beginning the job application process, pull together your paper and digital copies of any academic transcripts.  It’s also a good idea to archive pay stubs and other records that show your work history. Keep a list of contact information for past employers and references. This will make it easier to accurately complete job applications.

It’s a great idea to check your own background record so that you can see the same information your potential employer plans to review.

If you’re not sure where to find this information on your own, these are some helpful resources:

You may also want to look yourself up on Google and make sure that you’re comfortable with the information you find about yourself online.

Next, review your social media feeds. You can set your social media accounts to private. If this won’t work for you, you may want to edit posts or images you think may create a wrong impression about your ability to succeed in the workplace.  

Stay in touch with your references and update them on your new career paths, skill sets, and upcoming reference checks. This way, your references are ready for potential outreach. 

It’s also a good idea to reach out to your previous workplaces if you have any concerns about employment verification. You can ask previous employers for a copy of your personnel file so you have a complete picture of what they might share. 

Once you complete your independent background check, prepare for what may come next. If you have any concerns, schedule a conversation with your potential employer. If you’re not comfortable initiating this conversation, create an outline so you’re prepared to respond to questions. 

If a potential employer does find something of concern, know your rights as a candidate. Employers must follow the Adverse Action notification process if they decide to reject your application because of findings during your screening. 

They will send you a document that explains the exact information they found that led to their decision. They will also tell you how to get a copy of the report.

There are a few more things you should know to get a clear picture of what an employer might look for before making a job offer. 

Some industries, including transportation, healthcare, and manufacturing, may run employment drug or health testing. This is for compliance and to reduce accident and injury risks. This testing is separate from a background check, but it may also be part of the hiring process for a variety of roles, including:

As you prepare for your background check, stay calm and confident. Every employer will have its own adjudication standards. Most will give you a chance to explain anything that comes up during your screening, especially information that might not reflect who you are today and what you can bring to their organization.