Starting and leaving · 6 min read
What does an employment background check show?
What employment background checks can show in the US and UK, how long they take, your rights, and what to do if something's wrong.
The short answer
An employment background check confirms you are who you say you are and that your application is accurate. Depending on the job and country, it can include identity and right to work, employment history, education, criminal records, credit history for some financial roles, driving records, professional licences and references. In the US, employers using a background check company must tell you in writing, get your permission and, before rejecting you because of the report, give you a copy and a chance to respond under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In the UK, criminal record checks go through the DBS at a level set by the role. Most checks take a few days to two weeks.
Key takeaways
- Checks confirm identity, right to work and the accuracy of your application.
- What's checked depends on the role and country.
- In the US, you must consent and can dispute errors before rejection.
- In the UK, criminal record checks are at a level set by the role.
On this pageWhat a check can include
What a check can include
| Check | What it shows | Common for |
|---|---|---|
| Identity and right to work | Who you are, and permission to work | All jobs |
| Employment history | Employers, dates and titles | Most professional roles |
| Education | Degrees and qualifications | Roles that require them |
| Criminal record | Convictions, sometimes cautions | Many roles, by law for some |
| Credit | Debts and defaults | Finance, some senior roles |
| Driving record | Licence and offences | Driving roles |
| Professional licence | Registration status | Regulated jobs |
Your rights in the US
- The employer must tell you in a separate written notice that they'll get a report.
- They need your written permission.
- Before rejecting you because of the report, they must give you a copy and a summary of your rights.
- You can dispute inaccurate information with the background check company.
- Many states and cities limit criminal history and credit checks.
Checks in the UK
Employers must check your right to work before you start. Criminal record checks are done through the Disclosure and Barring Service at basic, standard or enhanced level, depending on the role. Enhanced checks are used for work with children or vulnerable adults. Employers can't ask for a higher level of check than the role allows.
Make your check go smoothly
- Make sure dates and titles on your CV are accurate.
- Have contact details ready for past employers and referees.
- Keep copies of degree certificates and licences.
- Tell the employer early about anything that might come up, with context.
- Respond quickly to requests from the check provider.
If something might come up
Be honest early. A short, factual explanation of a conviction, gap or discrepancy, and what has changed since, is far better than an employer finding it themselves. Many employers hire people with convictions, especially for roles where the offence isn't relevant.
Illustrative example
Kofi gets a conditional offer, and his background check shows a job title different from his CV. His old employer had renamed his role after he left. He sends a short explanation with his payslips and an email from his former manager, and the offer is confirmed the same week.
Checks for remote and international roles
If you've worked or studied abroad, checks can take longer, because the provider has to contact overseas employers and universities. Have documents ready in advance and, if possible, translated. For remote jobs with employers in another country, ask which checks apply and how your data will be stored and shared.
Questions people ask
- How far back do employment background checks go?
- It depends on the check. Employment and education history often cover the last 5 to 10 years. In the US, some negative information can't usually be reported after seven years, with exceptions for convictions and higher-paid roles.
- Can an employer check my credit?
- In the US, with your written permission, though some states limit it. In the UK, credit checks are common for financial services roles.
- Will a background check show my salary?
- Usually not. Many US states and cities ban employers from asking about pay history. Some verification services include pay data, so ask what's being checked.
- What if there's a mistake in my report?
- In the US, dispute it with the background check company and tell the employer. In the UK, contact the DBS or the agency that ran the check.
- Do I have to disclose old convictions?
- It depends. In the UK, spent convictions usually don't need disclosing except for certain roles. In the US, many states and cities have 'ban the box' laws that delay criminal history questions.
- How long does a background check take?
- Often three to ten working days. Checks of overseas employment or education can take longer.
Exercises are practice, not evidence of career fit or a qualification. How to read our guides and report a correction.
Sources
- Background checks: what job applicants and employees should know · Federal Trade Commission
- Criminal record checks: apply for a DBS check · GOV.UK
- Prove your right to work to an employer · GOV.UK
How this page is written
Sources support the factual background, not a guarantee that an exercise predicts career fit. Fictional practice material is labelled. Dates record content updates; no independent expert review is implied. More about OffLadder.