Why check employment records
Employers check employment records for many reasons. For example, does an applicant's resume look too good to be true? Are the references provided hard to reach, dead, or reluctant to discuss any employment-related issues due to litigation concerns? Want to know what types of positions the applicant has held but are not listed?
Verification of previous employment records can paint a clearer picture of the applicant's work history.
In addition, you may want to perform a criminal background check to
ensure that you are aware of any previous convictions.
With a thorough criminal background check and taking the time to check
employment records, you are taking critical steps in protecting your
business and its employees from decisions that are made without vital
information.
What to expect when checking employment records
Since all people are individuals with their own personal histories, few records searches are identical.
You may not find any information about the applicant at all. This is
especially true if the applicant is a recent school graduate and has not
yet built a career history.
You may also find that some applicants have a long history, of frequent
job changes. This is not necessarily a cause for concern given the
transition from lifelong jobs at one company to shorter tenures at many
companies.
For applicants with a long history, it is not unusual for applicants to
exclude certain employers from their resumes and applications.
This is also generally not a cause for concern as it often only makes
sense to highlight relevant work experience.
How to check employment records
You may need to enlist the assistance of the applicant in persuading previous employers to assist you.