Will A Background Check Show A Termination?

When you lot receive a job offer there is oftentimes a line in the offer letter of the alphabet that says, "This offer is contingent upon completion of a successful background check." But what is involved in that? What can you expect to be uncovered?

Many people are concerned that if they exit a short term job off their resume or fail to mention the job where they were fired, information technology volition show up in a background check. This is unlikely, as information technology'due south not similar an FBI investigation into your life. Recollect that resumes are marketing documents and you're not required to put annihilation negative on them, just if asked to list all positions, you should, since you tin be fired for dishonesty if you don't. Only, it's non likely to show up in a background check.

Criminal records. This is usually a beginning cease for employers. How far back and what crimes employers can consider largely depends on state laws. If you accept a criminal record, Harris advises y'all put together a certificate that explains exactly what happened and is supported past the evidence. That is, don't merely write upward your version of events, include courtroom documents. The EEOC has been not bad downwards on employers that place to much emphasis on criminal backgrounds, so wait employers to be less strict.

Credit checks. This is some other area the EEOC is concerned about -- for the same reason equally criminal records -- it has a disparate touch on African American job candidates. Non every visitor uses credit checks and even amid those that exercise, they generally don't check every job candidate'due south records. Only, if they do, what are they looking for? Harris writes: "It is unlikely that an employer would hold a tardily credit menu payment against yous." Only if it's gone to collection or courtroom, employers may not be willing to overlook it. Pupil loan defaults, she says, are also something employers look at. However, if your debt is due to medical bills or other emergencies, employers tend to non be every bit harsh, she says. I thing about credit checks -- yous accept to authorize them to practice and so. Best bet? Run your own credit before applying for a task.

Educational activity, certification and licenses.If you lie about that degree -- even if y'all were but 6 credits short, your potential employer will discover about about it. Didn't pay that final library fine at your university? Harris cautions that your school may merits you never received your caste. Clear all those things up earlier applying for a new job. Most certifications and licences are public records and are piece of cake to verify. Bottom line, Harris says, don't lie almost your didactics or endeavor to hibernate a disciplinary history. Information technology'due south piece of cake to find.

References.Many people are nether the impression that employers can simply confirm dates of service and titles. This is imitation, fake, and false. Company policy may prohibit managers from speaking out, only most do anyway. Which means, don't burn down bridges and always work hard. Harris also cautions that employers tin can and do search your "electronic trail." Things like tweets, videos, blogs and annihilation that hits the internet are easy to find. Make clean up your trail (the best you tin can) before applying.

Armed services records. Harris states that employers are pretty limited in what they can discover out about -- just rank, salary, duties and awards. She reminds that "it is illegal for an employer to deny you a job because you lot might exist chosen up to active duty."

Bankruptcy. These records are publicly available, but, according to Harris, employers cannot concord a bankruptcy against y'all.

Driving records. These are as well public records and subject to employer discretion. Bottom line? That DUI may forbid you from getting a chore.

Medical records. These are off limits in a background check. Employers may inquire you if you tin can perform the duties of a job, and you can respond yes, or no. If you answer yes, they have to take your word for information technology. At that place is an exception, though, according to Harris. Equally long as they crave everyone who works in this or a similar job to undergo a medical exam, they can make that a requirement for the job. That is, if you come in limping, they can't crave a medical exam unless they require everyone to accept a medical exam.

Drug testing. Pre-employment drug testing is legal. Period. If y'all're taking a prescription for something normally caught in a drug test (like prescription pain killers or medication for ADHD), you volition be required to provide proof that it's a legal prescription. This tin can be as easy equally showing your prescription bottle with the proper information attached.

So, if your job offer has the groundwork contingency as part of it, this is what y'all can expect. If you're going to have whatever problem with any of these sections, start working at present to clean upward your tape. Even erstwhile convictions can exist expunged in many cases.

Suzanne Lucas

View all articles by Suzanne Lucas on CBS MoneyWatch»
Suzanne Lucas spent x years in corporate man resources, where she hired, fired, managed the numbers and double-checked with the lawyers. Connect with her at LinkedIn, read her blog or send her an electronic mail at EvilHRLady@gmail.com.

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