What Employers Really Look For in a Background Check

Pre-employment screening is a common part of the hiring process. Data shows that nearly 95% of US employers conduct background checks, so you want to be aware of what to expect and how to prepare your resume for the possible background check.

So, what do employers look for when conducting professional background checks on applicants? The purpose of such checks is to verify employee background by checking their identity, employment history, feedback from previous employers, and education verification. Employers also want to know your credit history and criminal records. Background checks help companies minimize risk of identity theft and possible financial or reputation damage.

This guide explains what employers verify during hiring and how to prepare for them, and share recruiter expectations from candidates. Plus, we will reveal the top things employers look for on a resume so you can strengthen your application and make it more competitive.

What do Employers Look For in a Resume?

Your resume is the first touchpoint with a prospective employer. Even before they conduct an employee background check, they will look at your resume closely to see if you're a good fit. Here's what to look for in a resume as an employer:

1. Your name – if you've met with the hiring person before or they have heard of you, your chances to be chosen for an interview skyrocket comparing to the unknown applicants.
2. Job title - both internal HR and third-party recruiters look for a job title match. If you're applying for a role as a Digital Marketing Strategist and your most recent role has similar duties, you may modify the title to make it more relevant. Thus, your experience will instantly look more relevant.
3. Relevant work history - employers will scan your resume for relevant experience. They want to see that you've performed similar duties before and can contribute to the role from day one. Make sure to highlight not only what you've done, but also how your experience makes you a match for the target job opening.
4. Company names - if you worked for big brand names and industry leaders, this can definitely work in your favor.
5. Achievements - hiring managers want to see measurable results, not the laundry list of duties. Show what you achieved in your previous jobs, backing up your claims with numbers and percentages.
6. Keywords and skills - during the initial review, employers scan your application, not read it closely. They look for keywords and skill names from the job posting, and the more relevant skills you add, the higher is your chance for success.
7. Employment dates - employment gaps and job-hopping are seen as negative factors. On the other hand, staying with the same company for years shows loyalty to past employers. If you have career gaps, address it early or use a functional resume format.
8. Clear career path and consistency - if you've worked for two years as a marketer, then were a salesperson, and moved on to be an SMM manager, such experience can confuse the recruiter. Ideally, your resume should look relevant and consistent, show career progression, and reflect your current goals.

Do internal HR and third-party recruiters look for the same things on resumes? Usually, all the factors listed above contribute to employment decisions. However, there is a difference. Hiring managers usually look at cultural fit, career progression, and how well you performed. Recruiters, on the other hand, pay closer attention to a formal skill match, achievements, and your industry experience.

Now that you know what jobs look for on a resume, let's move on to the next stages in the hiring process - pre-employment screening process and background checks.

What Shows Up During a Background Check?

The purpose of employment background check is to ensure that you qualify for the role, maintain regulatory compliance, mitigate risks, and protect sensitive information. While employment verification varies in different industries, here's what can be revealed in a background check:

Identity verification.

The first step in resume verification check is making sure that the candidate is who they say they are. Identity theft isn't rare, so the companies want to mitigate risks. They might ask for your Social Security number (SSN) and check the linked details, such as date of birth and your addresses.

Employment records.

Many job-seekers stretch the truth on their resumes to get hired. Background checks help prove that the employment history is accurate. A company might contact your previous employers to verify the job titles, employment dates, and the reason why you left the organization.

References from past employers.

Background screening process might also involve obtaining references from your previous jobs. They may contact people from your reference list of your immediate supervisor to gather more information about you as an employee.

Applicant's criminal history.

Criminal background check process involves checking of your criminal convictions, including the type of offense, its severity, and dates. The federal law prohibits employers from disqualifying applicants simply for having criminal records. However, they have the right to reject you depending on the severity of a past crime.

Financial history.

Financial history check is common for those applying to financial institutions and positions like financial manager or accountant. They check your credit history and score to make sure you are capable of making smart financial decisions. The Fair Credit Reporting Act limits information that potential employers can request during credit checks.

Educational history.

Checking your education history is common for professions that require licenses, industry certifications, or advanced degrees. The employer might contact your educational institution to verify your degree or license, dates, and request additional information if necessary.

Medical records.

For some industries, it is common to request medical history of a candidate. However, companies can do it only after sending you a conditional job offer.

In sectors like transportation, potential employers can also do drug screens to reduce the risk of workplace accidents.

Driving record.

Employers may request your driving record from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). However, you need to sign a permission for it first. This is typical for roles involving driving.

Social media screening.

About 70% of employers will scan your digital footprint as part of the background checks. They do it to better understand your personality, values, and to avoid potential red flags. Here's what exactly companies look for when scanning your social media profiles:

1. Inappropriate and offensive content, such as alcohol or drug use, racist/sexist comments, and discrimination.
2. Behavior that doesn't match company culture, for example, partying a lot for a company that promotes family values.
3. Communication skills, including consistency and ideas you express in your postings.
4. Comments about your previous employers, your boss, or industry in general.
5. Your professional engagement, side hobbies and activities, and values you promote.

Career experts recommend cleaning up your social media pages or making them private, as the content you share may influence the results of your job search.

Background check varies depending on your industry and job seniority. Now that you know what information employers verify, let's see how you can update your resume to make it compelling.

How to Prepare Resume Before a Background Check

Background check is often performed at the pre-employment stage. Usually, it is the last step after successful interviews and before you receive a formal job offer. But before that, hiring managers weed off around 80% resumes. To make sure that your resume makes the cut, learn how to improve your resume before employer screening:

Show that you meet qualifications minimum.

Of course, you don't have to meet 100% of the requirements mentioned in a job listing. However, having the must-have qualifications is necessary as otherwise you'll get rejected. Read the job requirements closely and make sure your resume reflects all of them.

Update your location.

Don't underestimate the location factor, as some companies only hire local candidates. Your location can become a reason for rejection if the employer isn't willing to compensate the relocation expenses. So, when applying for jobs outside of your area, use the local address or indicate that you're ready for relocation at your own expense.

Highlight career progression.

If you're applying for mid-level role or above, recruiters also want to see how your career developed over time. Candidates with clear and smooth vertical progression are favored over those who had inconsistent way up, with career changes, employment gaps and other issues.

If your career history is uneven, consider updating your resume to downplay that. For example, remove irrelevant jobs or projects, use different resume format, or use years of employment only.

List relevant education.

A certain degree is a must for some job openings. In case if your degree is somewhat relevant (for example, when they are looking for a Marketing degree and you've majored in Journalism), it makes sense to list relevant coursework.

Show specific accomplishments.

Not everyone can impress the prospective employer with doubled sales records and industry-specific awards. However, if you can't brag even the small accomplishments, it will leave the employer wondering if you're really good at what you do. Don't give them food for thought – everyone can think of a tangible contribution such as training new employees, increasing number of customers or reduced costs.

Perfect your grammar and style.

Resume errors aren't visible during the initial scanning, but during the closer review they are the popular reason for disqualifying the applicant. The reason behind this rejection is simple: if the candidate makes mistakes when trying to write a resume to the best of their ability, what quality of work can he produce? So, use an online spell checker to polish your document and proofread it manually, ensuring that all information is accurate and there are no resume grammar mistakes, typos and misspelled words.

Tailor it to the job.

Generic resumes don't work anymore. Experts say it is more effective to send out 10 tailored resumes than 100 generic ones. So, take the time to optimize your resume for each job posting.

Update the summary section and the most recent employment history so that they reflect how your background can benefit the target organization. Add relevant skills and competencies for the job posting. For example, if they want someone to build a marketing department from scratch, emphasize your experience in training new employees and managing a team.

Update resume formatting for ATS and hiring review.

Over 70% of companies use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to screen candidates. If your resume isn't enriched with keywords, it is likely to get tossed. Here's how to improve resume formatting for ATS:

• Insert keywords and phrases as they appear in the job posting. The more your resume content matches job description, the higher is your chance to be shortlisted by a hiring manager.
• Avoid complex formatting. Tables, graphs, columns, and pictures can confuse the ATS, and your resume won't open correctly.
• Use an ATS-optimized template. Most resume templates you see online are terrible for ATS. Our website offers free Google Docs resume templates. Our templates are ATS-friendly and professionally structured, which will help impress the hiring manager.

To prepare your resume for verification and increase your chances for an in-person interview, take your time to highlight all of the above traits in your resume. Show your career progression, relevant skill set, notable accomplishments and work on the appearance of the document since everything is important for the quality of your resume.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Background Checks

What to look for in a resume as an employer?

Employers typically look for consistency in work history, measurable achievements, relevant skills, and a professional tone. Red flags like vague job titles or unexplained employment gaps may lead to further scrutiny.

What do jobs look for in a resume?

Most employers focus on the relevance of your previous roles to the job applied for, along with accomplishments, clarity of responsibilities, and evidence of career growth.

Are resumes for employers different from standard resumes?

While the structure remains the same, resumes for employers must be highly tailored, emphasizing job-specific achievements, keywords from the job posting, and a clean design that supports ATS parsing.

Do employers perform resume verification checks?

Yes, many companies verify job titles, dates of employment, education credentials, and even job duties. Inconsistencies between your resume and the background check report can harm your candidacy.

What is included in a personal information background check?

Such checks may include your full name, address history, Social Security Number verification, criminal records, and sometimes credit reports, depending on the role.

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