How Can You Prepare for a Background Check?

Evelyn Sanderson - October 20, 2024

Background checks are a necessary part of many different screening processes, but that doesn’t make them any less stressful. If you have been asked to submit a background check report, you are probably wondering how to best prepare for a background check and gather the items you need. 

Our article gives you an overview of background checks, including what a background check generally looks like, and some tips on how to best prepare yourself for a background check.

When Might I Need to Submit a Background Check Report?

The most common reason why you might need to submit a background check report is because a potential employer has requested this report from you. Background check reports are a very common part of the hiring screening process, and some career fields or specific jobs highly value the information that is listed on your background check report. 

For example, careers that deal with security, careers with a government entity, or careers that work with vulnerable populations, such as those in healthcare or childcare, all carefully look at the background of potential employees to ensure they have the right skill set to perform their jobs.

Other reasons why you might need to submit a background check report are that this report is part of the screening process for a volunteer opportunity, a professional education program, or a routine screening for your current employer. 

What Does a Background Check Look At?

Background checks look at a variety of different things; the exact items that someone is reviewing depend on the reason why you’re submitting your background check report. In general, a background check report is used to confirm any information that you have listed on a job application or another application, and as part of a review of your criminal and civil court records.

Some individuals may also use your background check report to evaluate your driving record, verify your previous employment history, and double-check any educational history and professional certificates or licensures you claim to have.

Can the Results of a Background Check Affect the Hiring Process?

The results of your background check can affect the hiring process, as some employers may screen you for a job that is contingent on the results of your background check report. This means that if something on your background check report goes against an employer’s hiring standards, or if you are shown not to have the right skill set for your job, your offer of employment may be rescinded.

That being said, employers must inform you of your background check rights and you are generally given an opportunity to contest the findings of background check report or provide more context to ensure that you are given a fair evaluation.

Steps to Prepare for a Background Check

If you have been requested to submit a background check report, there are a few steps you can take to prepare yourself for this process. In addition to the steps below, it’s important to speak with the person requesting your background check report to ensure that you have completed any necessary paperwork and signed any applicable consent forms.

Be Honest On Your Applications

Being honest on your applications is one of the most important things you can do to prepare yourself properly for a background check report. Accurately listing your previous employment history, educational history, and other details about any professional licenses and certifications will help the person reviewing your background check report verify your information and ensure that you show your trustworthiness.

One of the fastest ways to fail a background check is to lie or falsify your identification information on the background check report. This is generally caught out by the person reviewing your report, and it can be a difficult situation to deal with.

Review Your Own Background Check Report

Reviewing your own background check report ahead of submitting an official background check report can help you identify any mistakes and errors. When you review your own background check report, you can make sure that all of the information is accurate, and you can submit requests to the background check reporting agency to have items on your report adjusted or corrected. This can make all the difference with certain employers, especially if there are potential red flags on your background check report that do not belong to you.

It’s a good idea to also check your credit report often, as some employers look at your credit history as part of the background check report process. You can contact credit reporting agencies directly with any questions or requests for adjustments to your report.

Secure Social Media Profiles

Securing your social media profile can help you maintain a more professional appearance to people who are looking at your background check report and double-check your social media. While it is considered discrimination for someone to make a hiring or employment decision based on items in your social media profile that define your age, gender, ethnicity, or religious preferences, among many others, it is legal for someone to review your social media profiles for professionalism and evidence of illegal behaviors.

This means that if your social media profile has lots of pictures containing questionable or illegal items, unprofessional language, and unprofessional behavior, the person reviewing your profile may decide that you are not the best fit for the company.

Remove any unprofessional images or text posts on your social media profiles, make sure your photos are professional, and set all of your online accounts to the highest privacy possible to protect your information online.

Check Applicable Criminal Records

If you know you have criminal records, you may want to double-check these criminal records to see what an employer or another individual reviewing your background check might be able to see. In certain situations, you may be able to seal or expunge your criminal records, though you will need a legal professional to help you with this process.

Some states do have specific laws in place that prevent the discrimination of individuals who have a criminal record, and it’s important to understand your specific state-level and federal rights when you consent to a background check while having a criminal record. Make sure that you provide additional context as necessary, and contact the person requesting your background check report directly if you have any concerns about this process.

Gather Paperwork and Verification Information

Oftentimes, background check reports will require you to submit certain types of paperwork and identity verifications. This is especially common with high-security careers that require you to undergo fingerprinting services and submit sensitive information like your Social Security number as part of the background check process.

You will need to make sure that you meet all preliminary background check requirements, sign any consent forms, and attend any fingerprinting appointments before your background check report is carried out. The person requesting your background check report will inform you about any specific steps that need to be taken before the official background check is conducted.

How Far Back Will a Background Check Look?

You can expect a background check report to look back at between seven and ten years’ worth of personal history. In general, federal laws prevent certain individuals from looking back at history that is older than seven years, though this does depend on career fields and other state laws that may be in place.

You will typically be informed if your background check is going to be looking at more than ten years’ worth of personal history, and some intense or in-depth federal background checks can look up to 20 years of background information.

Can I Hide Things From the Public Record?

It is not possible to hide things from the public record, as the public record contains all of the publicly available details about your personal information, criminal and civil court information, and employment or educational history. Public record information is made available so people can verify and screen others, though there are specific laws in place to prevent the abuse of this information and to ensure that you can still maintain the privacy of your most sensitive personal information.

There are limited cases in which you can remove something from the public record. For example, you may need to make a request to remove certain addresses or contact information from the public record due to a matter of privacy and safety concerns. A legal professional will generally have to help you with this process. 

Alternatively, you may be able to have select criminal records expunged or sealed, effectively hiding them from the public record, but this is only applicable for certain crimes and in certain circumstances. Again, a legal professional will need to help you understand your options in this scenario.

What Are My Background Check Rights?

Another important way to prepare for the background check process is to understand your background check rights and to protect yourself from adverse actions based on your background check report. 

You will need to give your consent before anyone can carry out a background check report on you, and this is protected by both federal and state-level laws. The person conducting your background check will generally need to inform you what they are looking for, and they will need to give you the details for how you can contest a decision based on the background check report or provide additional context for background check report findings.

You should also stay aware of your state’s disclosure laws surrounding background checks and any anti-discrimination laws that could potentially apply in your situation. By understanding all of these rights, you are properly prepared for the entire background check process.

Preparing For Your Background Check

Background checks are not the most enjoyable thing in the world, but they are often necessary for many different career fields and opportunities. If you know that you will need to submit a background check report at some point in the future, you can use the steps in our article to prepare for what to expect and to make sure that your background check report information is as accurate as possible.

You should speak to the person requesting your background check report if you have any questions about this process or what they may be looking for in your report.