Takwaba2

Senior Account Executive

Do background checks show employer history?

Question - Do background checks show employer history? I was laid off, but left my current job on my resume as advised by many peers. However after landing offers, they are running background checks that say they check "employment history" and worried this is going to show up now and de-rail everything.

👥 Hiring

🤝 Interviewing/Offer

🧠 Advice

46 comments

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jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I think it really depends on who is doing the check. BackCheck, which I know is in Canada, is aggressive on employment and education verification.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Its through Checkr... Which I looked up and from their page...https://checkr.com/background-check/employment-verification.. it looks pretty thorough

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

They do seem thorough.. Is it just the end date on this last gig? And it's the current year?

I get why you're feeling some stress.

If the year is the same you can probably pull it off, so breathe.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Yes. I was laid off the last week of Apr, 2024... Just got an offer and signed yesterday. I start Aug 12.... But my resume, and LI show I am still employed. So about a 2-3 month gap. But I was told by multiple recruiters and other sales leaders to not put that I was laid off on my resume so that I still looked "employable"

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

You’ll be okay. Not the first person to do this. Or the last

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Okay - probably me freaking out too much. But just was worried when i landed an offer and don’t want it to be rescinded

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Only natural to feel that way.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

So you think I’ll be okay?

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

I’ve fudged some dates and had no issues, so I think so.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Okay. Thank you!

medhardwaredr

Politicker

Director of Sales NA

You’re fine. Focus on the new gig bud

thisdoesntexist

Executive

Sales Consultant

So shouldn't we edit our resumes for brevity and tailor them for the job we are after? I mean, some of the stuff I have done in my past might look sketchy to a hiring manager nowadays. I think the background check would be just to see if you are totally lying about something you did, or saying you did something, when you didn't actually. If you were laid off and didn't want to draw attention to that, I think its fair to choose not emphasize that role on your resume. But honestly, I have no clue so don't listen to me. I want to take out some of my less than stellar short tenures (3mo, 5mo, etc) and don't because then how to explain to HR the 'gap.' Either way, I am fucked. Following this thread with interest. But don't sweat it! Nothing you can do now, just see what happens...

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Yeah - Definitely resonate with what you're saying. I'll keep you posted as I submitted the background check and everything today. So fingers crossed.
Have a few other opportunities I am interviewing at still just in case anything falls through here though.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

So update: I have to actually type in my last 3 employers in the background check system with dates I was there as its reflected on my resume. I then have to provide a contact for someone that works there.
I dont really see a way out of this so guessing ill be found out sooner or later. But will keep everyone updated with the outcome.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

It might be too late, but make sure your LI shows what you enter. You can always talk around the resume.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

My LI and resume are the same. Just going with what I have and if they find out I will just explain my situation.

jefe

Arsonist

🍁

Update us when you hear back. And tag me!!

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Ok sounds good!

thisdoesntexist

Executive

Sales Consultant

So hopefully you still have an ally at your last company that will be your reference. 🤞🏼

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

All that the background check firms can do is call and verify that you worked there and the dates of employment. It is unlawful to give a reason for dismissal. If the background check dates are off slightly your new employer is unlikely to care. Criminal history is more so what they care about.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Got it. Do you think 3 months is slightly off? Should I just reach out to my new manager now and explain the situation before im "caught"
Or better not say anything?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

Let them ask. It's highly unlikely to even come up.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Ok - So you don't think this will be a big deal?

Justatitle

Big Shot

Account Executive

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

Put it out of your mind. Nothing will come of it.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Okay - Thank you! Definitely trying to

oldcloser

Arsonist

💀

If you weren't part of a criminal enterprise, that'll go unnoticed. Good luck!

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Definitely not! Haha thanks!

alCan

Contributor

Account Executive

Hate to put it like this, but to be frank every single employee they have done background checks on has had things not line up 100%. People forget dates, resume dates shift in reformatting, jobs get left out because they are irrelevant to the position etc etc. Worse comes to worst you can explain that you thought a few months thing is irrelevant.

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Credit checks do.

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Which comes up in an employer check?

Pachacuti

Politicker

They call me Daddy, Sales Daddy

Usually.

tulip22

Good Citizen

I wouldn't worry about this too much. Unless it's been a year that you haven't worked there, adding an extra couple of months won't do anything

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Its been since May 1... Im just worried it will show I left in May and the current employer i have an offer from will find out and take it back... or does that not typically happen?

Phillip_J_Fry

Opinionated

Director of Revenue

Hmmm. I took a role/company of my LI/resume after being there for only a year. Is this going to come back to bite me possibly?

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

I am not sure - From what my background check says it checks and verifies my last 7 years of employment... So now I feel like I got bad advice to not just say I got laid off.

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

This seems uncontrollable by you. Don't worry now. Even if they did find some dirt, would you be able to do something about it?

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

I mean no - but they could rescind the offer which means I’m still unemployed

Gasty

Notable Contributor

War Room Community Manager

Still uncontrollable!
Apply a few more places while they do this check for your satisfaction but don’t stress. Stressing won’t solve anything. Won’t solve anything!!

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Well now i can’t apply anywhere because that would mean changing my LinkedIn to unemployed… and then my current offer place could see it. So im in a tough spot

thisdoesntexist

Executive

Sales Consultant

I’m just starting a search, so very interested in how yours goes

Takwaba2

Contributor

Senior Account Executive

Are you employed? Or laid off?

thisdoesntexist

Executive

Sales Consultant

Not employed. I shifted from employee to contractor and then decided to not renew the contract. So i guess i quit, sort of. I am working other pt contracts now to fill the gap as self—employed.

Kosta_Konfucius

Politicker

ERP Sales

Yes they will do some form of confirmation that you worked there. They will most likely confirm you worked there and not confirm dates for last check

lowhangersalesbanger

Executive

Account Executive

They can

Chep

WR Officer

Bitcoin Adoption Specialist

I don't think so