What Does a Background Check Reveal?

First things first, a background check (or background screening) is nothing to be worried about. Its purpose is to check the information you have provided your employer/future employer with. This is so that they can be sure that you have the skills and qualifications that you claim and are suitable for the role that you are applying for.

A background check does what you might expect – it checks your background - based on criteria determined by the company who requested the screening. This may include information such as:

• your employment history

• your education history

• your professional qualifications

• your criminal record

• your financial standing

• adverse media searches

HireRight works with its clients to ensure that their screening needs are met and that the information requested is appropriate for the role that they are recruiting for.

Each type of check will reveal different information pertinent to that check but essentially verifies the information that you are already providing your employer/future employer with.

For example, an education history check would typically verify the dates of study, qualification and grade obtained, course title and institution name for the highest level of education that you have obtained – all of which you would usually put on your CV anyway.

(Please note this may vary from business to business and you should ask your employer/prospective employer if you would like more details about what information is required or being checked for each individual check.)

You can find out more about the information that may be required for a background check and how to prepare for a background check by watching the video below.

Still have questions about your background screening? Visit our Candidate FAQs for more information. You can find out more about the information that may be required for a background check and how to prepare for a background check by watching the video below.