What a Background Check Really Is
A background check is when an employer pays a company to search your criminal record.
They look for convictions. Arrests. Sometimes pending cases.
The check pulls from county courts. State databases. Sometimes federal records.
Most checks go back seven years. Some states go back ten. Some go back forever.
The check costs the employer money. Around twenty to fifty dollars.
When Employers Actually Run It
Most employers do not check until after they interview you.
Some wait until after they make an offer. You think you have the job. Then the check runs.
Fast food and retail often check after the first week. You start work. Then you get pulled off the schedule.
Temp agencies check before they send you out. You fill out paperwork. You wait. Then they call or they do not.
Jobs That Always Check
Anything with kids. Daycares. Schools. Camps. Youth programs.
Anything healthcare. Hospitals. Nursing homes. Home health aide work.
Anything government. City jobs. County jobs. State jobs. Federal jobs.
Anything with money handling. Banks. Armored trucks. Casinos. Check cashing stores.
Jobs That Often Check Later
Warehouse work. They hire you first. Check runs during your first week.
Restaurants. Some check after you are already working kitchen or dishes.
Construction labor. Small crews do not check. Bigger companies do after thirty days.
Driving jobs. Background check happens when you apply for the company insurance.
What Automatically Stops You
Violent felonies. Assault. Armed robbery. Domestic violence. No exceptions at most places.
Sex offenses. Any charge involving a minor. Automatic no everywhere.
Theft or fraud for jobs handling money. Embezzlement. Forgery. Credit card fraud.
Drug charges for medical or transportation jobs. Even if the charge is old.
What Usually Does NOT Matter
Old misdemeanors from ten years ago. Most employers do not care.
Traffic tickets. Suspended license. Not relevant unless you are driving for the job.
Charges that got dropped or dismissed. These sometimes show up. Employers usually skip them.
Arrests with no conviction. Some background checks list them. Most employers ignore them.
Lying vs Telling the Truth
If you lie on the application and they find out, you get fired. No warning. Just gone.
If you tell the truth up front, some employers say no immediately. Some still interview you.
If you leave the box blank, some employers assume yes. They treat it like a lie.
If you explain the charge in person, some managers listen. Some do not.
Most people get further by being honest than by hiding it.
What to Do Before the Check Runs
Know exactly what is on your record. Go to the county courthouse. Request a copy.
Know the dates. Know the charges. Know the county. Write it all down.
If they ask about your record, answer only what they ask. Do not add extra information.
If they ask you to explain, keep it short. Say what happened. Say what you do different now. Stop talking.
Do not apologize. Do not make excuses. Just answer the question.
If You Ignore This
You will lie on an application. The check will catch it. You will lose the job.
You will think the interview going well means you passed. It does not. The check still runs.
You will start a job and relax. Then HR will call you in. They will say the check came back. You are done.
You will not know what is on your record. The employer will. They will know more than you do.
You will blame the system. The employer will move to the next person in line.
Background checks happen after you think you are safe. Prepare before the offer. Not after.