How many years back are they going to check my previous employment?

I saw a employment application once that left space for ten jobs. They wanted you to list all your jobs even ones that had been only for a few weeks or even just a few days. They told me they would call all my employers going back 15 years. I found this to be highly offensive and told them I felt like I was applying for the Secret Service not a low wage job in a general office.





How many years back do you think most companies would go back in investigating your employment?

How many years back are they going to check my previous employment?
Most companies look back over 3 - 4 jobs depending on your length of time at each one.





I had an employer go back over all of my jobs as I was required to be bonded and he needed to be sure I wasn't fired for potentially legal purposes (i.e. embezzlement). It was a pain, but I ended up with a great position.





One employer I worked for had over 500 applicants for one position, he asked for all previous employment as a test: if they really wanted the job they would make the effort. The woman he ended up hiring he did so because her job history was fascinating - she was brutally honest as to why she left some of her jobs and this really impressed the manager hiring for the position.
Reply:I work in the HR department and we usually only check the job where the "reasons for leaving" look shady. But most companies dont keep info over 7 years
Reply:I used to do the hiring at my company and I would check 2 job references and 1 personal reference. Going back 15 years is crazy your boss's at the time probably aren't even there anymore. Maybe there just trying to scare you.
Reply:Most of the offices that I have ever worked for just check the last employer. If you worked there for a decent amount of time. If you have had multiple jobs over a 15 year time period, then that just plain looks bad anyways!
Reply:It doesn't matter. Most employers don't have records that go back more than 7 years.
Reply:who knows? they might never check... 3 jobs back is a good number... but as many as you can remember is fine. also good idea to find your W2s and then record all your working dates so you can copy them for other apps.





good luck!
Reply:They can go back as far as they want. But that doesn't mean that your former employer will have your records accessible, especially if it was 15 years ago.

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