How to Check Employment History: A Guide for Job Seekers and Employers

Relevant work experience is one of the clearest ways to demonstrate job readiness. Confirming your employment history is an important part of the hiring process for both employers and candidates. Here’s what you need to know about checking employment history, whether you’re hiring employees or applying for a job.

An employment history background check verifies the work experience that a candidate provides on a job application or resume. Employers may access databases, such as The Work Number, or contact candidates’ previous employers directly to confirm details. Also called a work history background check or an employment history verification, this check often includes job titles, dates of employment, and potentially other information, such as reasons for leaving and descriptions of job duties.

Typically, an employment verification is part of a broader background check that may also include criminal history checks, education verification, and other screenings. The accuracy of a work history background check matters for both candidates and employers. Employers rely on background check results to make informed hiring decisions, while candidates want to ensure that their records confirm their experience, integrity, and professionalism.

Employment history checks are valuable for both job seekers and employers. Employers conduct work history screenings to validate a candidate's experience and qualifications, helping to reduce hiring risks and select the right fit for the role.

For job seekers, reviewing your own work history confirms that applications and resumes are accurate. Running a personal employment verification also helps you identify and correct errors before you begin your job search, minimizing the risk of mismatched information that could delay the hiring process or lead to unnecessary disqualification.

Checking your employment history with Checkr is a simple and straightforward process. Here’s how to find your employment history with Checkr:

To begin, visit Checkr’s personal background checks page and enter your information, including your name and email address. Consent to the personal work history check when prompted to begin the process.

Your background check may include employment history, education history, a Social Security number trace, criminal history, driving records, and other information. Under employment verification, you'll typically find a list of previous employers, job titles, and employment dates. Review this information carefully.

If you notice any information in your Checkr report that you believe is inaccurate, you can dispute it with Checkr to correct it before submitting new job applications. Once verified, use your confirmed work history as needed to fill out job applications and update your resume and LinkedIn profile.

Employers can use Checkr to accurately confirm a candidate's work history. Here's how to verify employment history:

Create a background check policy to promote consistency and transparency in the hiring process. The policy should specify which roles require employment verification and detail any other background screenings that may be conducted. Publish the policy alongside other organizational policies and procedures.

To comply with the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), notify the candidate of your intent to check employment history, provide any necessary disclosures, and obtain their written authorization. If the report contains any information that leads to an initial disqualification decision, follow the appropriate adverse action process.

After obtaining candidate consent, employers initiate the request via Checkr. Candidates can easily enter necessary information into the candidate portal, and Checkr contacts past employers to confirm job titles, dates, and other details. Results are compiled into a report for your review.

Evaluate the employment verification report according to your background check policy. Establishing clear work experience qualifications for positions helps your team develop guidelines for responding to inaccurate information, build a more consistent hiring process, and hire with confidence.

Employment verification helps employers make informed hiring decisions and helps   candidates understand their publicly available work history during a job search. For hiring managers, Checkr streamlines the process by replacing time-consuming calls and emails with fast, automated reports while embedding compliance into every step. Simplify your hiring process with Checkr’s employment verification services. Get started today.

Job seekers can use Checkr’s personal background check services to review exactly what potential employers will see and correct potential inaccuracies to be reflected on your Checkr report. Order your work history background check in minutes and move forward with your job search. Run a personal background check to see your employment history today.

About the author

Hayley Harrison writes about a wide range of business topics and best practices, including background checks, candidate experience, and recruitment and retention. Her work includes educational articles, e-books, and blog posts.