Background Checks - Employment Application?

i have an interview next week and the company i am interviewing with conducts background checks before extending offers of employment.

how extensive are these background checks? are they mainly just checking criminal / financial records? if so, no problem.

i am just a little worried because i fudged the dates of a job i had 4 years ago to eliminate gaps of employment on my resume. do i have anything to worry about?

PS: the two companies which i fudged the dates of employment for have since dissolved, if that helps.

and my current job which i've had for 4 1/2 years is accurate on my resume.

Depends on the company - how comprehensive their background check is depends on how much they want to spend!

We used to use an outsource company - they had 6 standard levels or you could customize ...

*Probably* if the company is dissolved, they won't "catch" you.

Most current is more important.

Best of luck!

I think when they do background checks they are really just looking for any criminal activity on your record. I don't even know if they can check your financial records though. If you haven't killed anyone I wouldn't worry about it too much.

Background checks are typically for criminal and financial records.

It will be unlikely to turn up the fudged dates, especially on dissolved companies.

However, you never know. If there was some reason for that past employer to file your start date somewhere... it's entirely possible that it'd come back in some sort of scan.

Very unlikely, though. I'm against lying, but... the damage is done. It's unlikely to come up. If it does, they'll likely ask you about it. At that point, you can decide if you need to confess or not...

That information will not show up on the criminal background check. Bigger danger - reference checks. If you used anyone that you worked with at the "fudged" positions as a reference, they will likely be asked what dates they worked with you. If this company finds out that you "fudged" these dates, they will likely not few it so mildly. They will say you "lied" on your resume and will likely send you on your way. It is better to leave the gap on your resume with no fanfare, and if someone asks you about it - acknowledge the gap and dismiss it using a general answer. If you were caring for a family member, say it was family related. If you were working at a carnival, say you were out of industry. They will be reluctant to ask you personal questions about the period (gray area of the law). Be polite but don't volunteer information.

Good luck!