What Do Companies Look for in a Background Check?

Cindy Ellis - December 2, 2025

The very first step a company takes before hiring is running a background check. What do companies look for in a background check? If you’ve recently applied for a job or are going through the hiring process, you may feel anxious about what they will see, whether the information is current, and how it could affect your chances of getting the position.

Background checks are a standard part of hiring for most companies. They need to assess the employability of every candidate, making sure there are no red flags that might come up later and affect the company’s operations. 

That said, the data shown by background checks isn’t always 100% accurate, so it’s important for you, as a candidate, to be aware of and understand what these checks show.

What Do Companies Look for in a Background Check?

There are four main things that every background check will look for, regardless of which industry or profession you’re in. These help develop a basic level of trust between you and your future employer by verifying known details and eliminating any red flags.

ID Verification

The first step is to confirm that you are who you claim to be. To do this, the background check usually performs a Social Security number (SSN) trace. This is not a credit check, but a way to verify your SSN. It produces a list of linked names, aliases, and previous addresses associated with you over a specific period.

With this information, the company can ascertain your identity and also establish the necessary jurisdictions where criminal record checks need to be performed. This forms the basis for all subsequent screenings that we’ll discuss.

Criminal History Check

After verifying your identity, the background check moves on to the criminal history check, which is often the most important part. Companies use it to protect safety and comply with the law. This check searches local, state, federal, and national databases for records of misdemeanors, felonies, and even pending charges.

Besides these, a criminal history check will also screen for global and government sanctions watch lists (like the OFAC) and the national Sex Offender Registry. The latter is especially important for jobs that revolve around vulnerable populations. 

For the company, this check is incredibly important for assessing the risk associated with hiring a new employee, protecting customers and current employees, and keeping company assets safe from illegal activities.

Employment History Verification

The resume or CV you provide during the application process is used for initial screening. Once you’re past that, the company needs to make sure everything you’ve listed there is legitimate, which is what the employment history check helps with. The company will confirm important details with your previous employers.

This includes your dates of employment and the positions or titles you held. In case you’re worried about your past salary being disclosed in this process, most employers will not give out this information due to legal limitations, even if requested. 

For the company, the most important part of this check is making sure you have the skills and experience claimed on your resume. Falsified documents or “resume fluffing” are usually spotted easily in this part of the background check.

Education Verification

Education verification is similar to the employment history part of the background check, except it looks at your academic history. To start, it’ll check your academic credentials, like your schools, colleges, or universities, as mentioned on your application.

The goal is to verify the degrees or certifications you’ve earned, your field of study, and the dates of attendance being recorded exactly as your profile lists. If you’re applying for a job that has a specific license or degree as a prerequisite, this check becomes all the more important for the company.

Specialized Background Checks: What Do Companies Look for in a Background Check?

For some positions, the company you’re applying to may also perform a more specialized background check. This looks at the core components we discussed earlier, along with a few other areas. A specialized check can take a bit longer than a regular check to complete, as it tends to be more thorough.

Credit History Check

Despite what the name might suggest, this isn’t a simple check of your credit score. A credit history check looks at a lot more than that and is reserved only for roles where you’ll have a considerable financial responsibility, handle huge sums of money, or oversee the financial matters of a sizable firm.

A company can’t run this check for every position due to privacy and legal restrictions, especially under the FCRA. If these criteria don’t apply to you, there is no need to worry about this type of check. A credit history check usually examines bankruptcies, tax liens, accounts in collection, and overall payment history.

All of these are indicators of financial stability, which is important in roles that require the financial management of large companies and their assets.

Drug Testing and Health Screenings

These checks are important in safety-sensitive jobs, for example, if you’re operating heavy machinery, driving a commercial vehicle (tests mandated by the Department of Transportation), or working in an environment with strict safety protocols.

The screenings are done after the job offer has already been made, so they’re more of a final check before proceeding with the duties in the role. Their purpose is to make sure you’re physically and mentally healthy enough to safely perform your job.

Verifying Character and Fit in Company Culture

Alongside background checks, companies also conduct reference checks. These help them learn about your work ethic, character, communication style, and preferred management approach. The checks are completed by contacting the references you provided during the application process.

Simultaneously, the company will do a social media screening as well. Your publicly available content will be reviewed to check for signs of violence, illegal activity, harassment, or any major inconsistencies with your claimed identity.

Performing a Background Check on Yourself

Before applying for a position, it can be incredibly helpful to try doing a background check on yourself and seeing what comes up. Before applying for a position, it can be very helpful to run a background check on yourself. This shows you what a company will see and allows you to identify any inaccurate or outdated information that could appear.

The steps for performing a background check on yourself (or anyone, for that matter) are pretty simple. Choose a free people search tool like Information.com and enter your first and last name in the search bar. Add any additional information you have to help narrow the results. Once ready, click “Search” to view the results.

You’ll be presented with a list of results, where you have to choose the profile that most closely resembles your own to make sure you get the correct report. 

When you’re certain, click on “Open Report,” and the tool will show you all publicly available information about you on the internet. This includes social media profiles, professional history, and even criminal records if you have any.

Browse through this information to look for inaccuracies or outdated entries that may affect your chances of being hired. These tools usually only look for up-to-date information, but if you do find an anomaly, you can request that it be removed from the site. Keep in mind that if you’re an employer, you are not legally authorized to run a background check without consent.

Doing so would count as a violation of the individual’s privacy. There are also certain limits placed on how the information received from a background check can be used during the hiring process. Failing to meet these limits can lead to a violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. 

While you’re looking through the information it shows, especially your credentials, make a note of all notable items that your future employer may ask for. To be prepared, have documents (physical or digital) that go along with your achievements ready on hand to show.

What Do Companies Look For in a Background Check? Our Conclusion

Applying for a job can be nerve-wracking, especially when background checks are involved. After reading this guide, you should have a clearer understanding of what companies look for in these checks.

Performing a background check on yourself using a people search tool can also help you prepare for the interview process. Knowing what information hiring personnel will see and correcting any inaccuracies in advance can significantly improve your chances of success.