Many job postings mention a “background check” as part of hiring. For applicants, that line can raise practical questions. Which jobs typically require screening, what information might show up, and what can be done if a report contains mistakes?
This guide breaks down the types of roles that often involve background checks, what the process can include, and the steps applicants can take to protect their opportunities.
For people facing inaccurate results in New York and New Jersey, background check attorneys at Sherman & Ticchio PLLC provide guidance on legal options.
Why So Many Jobs Use Background Checks
Background checks are common because employers often want to confirm key details before making a final offer. Screening can be used to verify identity, confirm parts of an application, and review certain public record information. Some industries also face rules from insurers, regulators, or clients that push companies to screen applicants for specific roles.
Even when a background check is expected, an applicant still has rights. In many cases, the report used in hiring is created by a consumer reporting agency, and that triggers protections under the FCRA for accuracy and fair handling of information.
What Jobs Do Background Checks?
Not every role comes with the same level of screening. Still, certain categories of work tend to involve checks more often due to safety, money handling, access to sensitive information, or contact with vulnerable populations.
Healthcare roles
Hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and home health agencies frequently screen applicants. Roles can include nurses, aides, technicians, and administrative staff who may access patient data or controlled substances. A check may look at identity information, criminal history sources, and licensing details, depending on the position.
Healthcare hiring can move fast, so delays caused by a background check error can matter. If a report mixes up identities or lists an outdated case disposition, an applicant may need to act quickly to correct the record.
Education and child care
Schools, day cares, after-school programs, and youth organizations often screen applicants because the work involves children. Positions can include teachers, substitutes, aides, bus drivers, and even some support roles.
Mistakes in a report can be especially damaging here, because employers may treat safety concerns with extra caution. That is why applicants should know how to request a copy of the report used and respond in writing if something is wrong.
Financial services and money-handling roles
Jobs involving banking, lending, accounting, payroll, cash handling, or access to financial systems often involve screening. Employers may want to confirm identity and look for information that relates to trust and risk. In some cases, a credit report may be requested for a role, although that practice varies by industry and location.
If a report includes incorrect identifying details, mixed files, or identity theft accounts, it can create the wrong impression about an applicant’s reliability. Applicants dealing with these issues may want to gather documents that show the true facts and be ready to respond promptly.
Government and public sector jobs
Many federal, state, and local positions involve screening. Some also require a security clearance process, which can be more detailed than a standard employment background check. Even for roles without a clearance, public sector employers may verify identity, past employment, education, and criminal history sources.
Because government hiring can involve multiple steps, an error can lead to delays or a withdrawn offer. Keeping personal records organized can help if questions arise.
Transportation, driving, and delivery
Commercial driving roles, ride share-related work, delivery services, and logistics positions frequently involve checks because the work can involve public contact, road safety, and access to packages or customer property. Employers may verify driving history in addition to other checks.
Applicants should be careful about common mix-ups, such as tickets attributed to the wrong person with a similar name, or incomplete records that do not show a final outcome.
Security, building access, and private property roles
Security guards, building concierge staff, and roles that grant access to offices, residences, or restricted areas often involve screening. Employers may look for accuracy in identity information and review relevant records to assess risk.
If a report contains someone else’s criminal history due to a file mix-up, the consequences can be immediate. Applicants should know that consumer reporting agencies have a duty to follow reasonable procedures aimed at accuracy under the FCRA.
Roles involving sensitive data and IT access
Companies often screen applicants who will have access to customer data, internal systems, or confidential records. This can include IT, cybersecurity, finance operations, and certain administrative roles. Screening may focus on identity verification and consistency across records.
This is also a category where identity theft can show up as unexplained accounts, addresses, or aliases. Applicants should review their own credit reports regularly, independent of hiring, so surprises are less likely.
What a Background Check Can Include
The term “background check” is broad. A screening package may include one or more of the following:
- Identity and address history checks.
- Criminal history searches using databases and courthouse sources.
- Education and employment verification.
- Professional license verification.
- Driving record checks for driving roles.
Not every check is the same, and two employers in the same industry can order different searches. Applicants can ask what type of screening is being used and which company is preparing the report.
Common Background Check Errors Applicants Report
Errors happen more often than many people expect. Some mistakes come from data matching problems, and others come from outdated or incomplete information.
Mixed files and mistaken identity
A report can mistakenly attach another person’s record to an applicant due to a similar name, a shared address, or a data entry issue. This can lead to a serious kind of error, such as a criminal record that does not belong to the applicant.
Outdated or incomplete case information
A record might show an arrest but fail to show the final disposition, such as a dismissal. Or a case might appear with the wrong status. These issues can change how an employer views the report.
Duplicate entries
Sometimes the same case appears multiple times, which can make a record look more extensive than it is. Duplication can occur when multiple sources are merged incorrectly.
Incorrect personal data
Wrong date of birth, wrong middle name, or a mis-typed Social Security number can lead to matching errors and delays. These details can also make it harder for an applicant to prove the report is not accurate.
Identity theft-related items
Identity theft can create accounts, addresses, or aliases that show up in consumer reports and sometimes connect to employment screening. Victims may need to document the theft and work through the steps required to correct their records.
When to Contact an Attorney
Not every screening issue calls for legal action, but some situations can have lasting effects on a career. It may help to talk with an attorney if:
- A report lists a criminal record that does not belong to you.
- A case is shown with an incorrect status or missing disposition.
- Identity theft information keeps resurfacing in screening results.
- A consumer reporting agency fails to correct clear errors after a dispute.
If you are a job applicant in New York or New Jersey dealing with an inaccurate background check, Sherman & Ticchio PLLC can help you understand your options under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act. We offer legal support for people harmed by erroneous reports and take time to understand the details of each situation.
If a background check mistake is affecting your next opportunity, you can reach out to Sherman & Ticchio to discuss next steps and request an appointment.