Many US employers run a background check after making an offer. It’s routine and usually handled by a third-party company.
What’s often checked
- Identity and Social Security number
- Criminal records
- Employment history
- Education and degrees
- Driving record, for driving roles
- Credit reports for some finance roles, where allowed
International history
Checks on employers and universities abroad often take longer. Help by providing accurate contact details, dates and copies of degree certificates.
Your rights
Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, employers must get your written permission and tell you if a report leads to a negative decision, giving you a chance to review and dispute it.
