Employment History

What is employment history?

Employment history is typically provided by job candidates on their resumes and is verified by the employer through reference checks and background checks.

Employment history is typically provided by job candidates on their resumes and is verified by the employer through reference checks and background checks. It is essential for job candidates to provide accurate and honest information about their history, as employers may use this information to make hiring decisions.

Some organizations also use employment history to determine an employee’s eligibility for certain employee benefits, such as pension plans or severance packages. It can also be used in background checks for security clearance and other sensitive positions. HBR’s background verification research

How to obtain employment history?

Here are some steps that can be taken to obtain employment history:

1. Gather personal documents: Collect personal documents such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, and tax returns that may contain information about your past employment.
2. Contact previous employers: Reach out to your previous employers and ask them to provide you with a letter of employment or a certificate of work. This should include your job title, employment dates, and responsibilities.
3. Check online resources: Some online resources, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed, can help you verify and update your history.
4. Ask for reference letters: If you have positive relationships with your previous employers, you can ask them to provide reference letters confirming your employment.
5. Contact the Social Security Administration: If you cannot obtain history from previous employers, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) for assistance. The SSA can provide you with a statement of your earnings history.

How to find your employment history?

Here are some steps that can be taken to find your employment history: SHRM’s employment verification guidance

1. Gather personal documents: Collect personal documents such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, and tax returns that may contain information about your past employment. These documents can help you remember the names of past employers and the dates of your employment with them.
2. Check online resources: Some online resources, such as LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and Indeed, can help you verify and update your employment history.
3. Contact the Social Security Administration: If you cannot obtain employment history from previous employers, you can contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) for assistance. The SSA can provide you with a statement of your earnings history.
4. Check your credit report: Your credit report may also have information about your past employment. You can request a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian) once a year.

Verifying employment history protects organizations from misrepresentation and ensures skills-based hiring decisions are grounded in accurate credentials. Organizations using pre-employment assessments ensure every hire is grounded in verified skills. A data-driven hiring plan reduces mis-hire risk, while strong talent acquisition practices focused on skills-based hiring help organizations attract and retain top talent.

Frequently asked questions