When you’re bringing on a new hire, you want more than just a polished resume and a confident handshake. A thorough background check helps you make sure you’re hiring someone who’s trustworthy, qualified, and the right fit for your business.

But what exactly shows up on an employment background check?
Here’s a clear look at the typical information employers review, and how working with a professional background screening partner like Swailes Backgrounds can give you confidence in every hire.

Criminal History

This is usually the first thing that comes to mind. A criminal background check helps you see if an applicant has any past convictions that might be relevant to the role or pose a risk to your company.

County, state, and national records: Most checks start with county courthouse searches, often combined with state repositories and a national database.
Federal criminal records: For certain industries, looking at federal cases is also critical.
Sex offender registries and watchlists: Especially important for roles involving vulnerable populations or sensitive data.

Keep in mind, just because something shows up doesn’t automatically disqualify a candidate. Many states have laws about how far back you can look, or when it’s appropriate to consider a conviction.

Employment History & Education Verification

It’s common to verify the details a candidate puts on their resume:

Previous employment: Confirming dates, job titles, and reasons for leaving.
Education credentials: Making sure degrees or certifications are legitimate.
Professional licenses: Essential for roles in healthcare, finance, and technical trades.

Verifying these details protects your business from hiring someone who may have inflated their qualifications.

Driving Records (MVR Reports)

If your new hire will be driving a company vehicle or regularly traveling on the job, you’ll likely want a motor vehicle report (MVR).

This shows:

License status (valid, suspended, expired)
Traffic violations, DUIs, or other serious infractions
Accident history

In regulated industries like transportation, these checks are often required by law.

Credit Reports (For Select Roles)

Not every job calls for a credit check, but if you’re hiring for a position that handles money, has access to financial accounts, or involves fiduciary responsibility, a credit report might be appropriate.

You’ll often see:

Debt levels, collections, bankruptcies
Payment history patterns

Of course, the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires you to get written permission before running a credit check, and to handle the information carefully.

Drug Screening & Other Checks

Many companies include pre-employment drug testing, especially for safety-sensitive jobs.

Depending on the position and your industry, you might also look at:

Civil court records (for things like fraud or breaches of contract)
Social media checks (this is a sensitive area but might be possible in select situations, done carefully to avoid discrimination risks)
Healthcare exclusions lists (for medical roles)

Why It Matters to Get It Right

Every business is different, and so are the risks tied to the people you hire. By understanding what shows up on a background check, you can tailor your screening program to your company’s needs, whether that’s protecting confidential data, ensuring safety, or maintaining regulatory compliance.

At Swailes Backgrounds, we help you build screening packages that make sense for your business. We’re also experts at FCRA compliance, so you can feel confident you’re doing things the right way, every step of the way.

Ready to Make Smart Hiring Decisions?

If you’d like help putting together a background check process that’s thorough, fast, and fully compliant, get in touch with us here or explore our background screening services. We’re here to help you hire with confidence.

⭐ Quick FAQ

How far back do background checks go?
It depends on state laws and the type of search. Generally, criminal checks look back 7 years, but some go longer.

Can an applicant see what’s in their report?
Absolutely. Under the FCRA, candidates have the right to request a copy of their report and dispute errors.

Will old charges show up?
Often misdemeanors and felonies appear within the reporting window. Expunged or sealed records generally do not.