Can an employee background check discover an unmentioned previous employer?

The CV that you submit is the prospective employer's first impression of you and so it needs to sell you.

Most prospective employers pre-screen your employment history in regards to job title and job description, your starting and ending dates of employment, and your salary by sharing the information you provided on your resume or job application with your previous employers.

There is no way of saying what your former employer will revert back with. I have encountered some former employers who have provided detailed information (sometimes more than what was requested) while some won't. It mostly boils down to the company and its policy.

In my experience, most former employers generally do not share information about your job performance. However, if the prospective employer contacts your colleagues or your immediate supervisor at your former employers through informal channels, this type of information could be divulged off the record.

When an employer conducts a background check, they are not limited to checking just the information you list on your resume or a job application. Never assume that because you didn't put it on the application form or resume that the employer won't find out about it.

They could check your entire employment history and when they do that they may be concerned if they find omissions and, depending on what it was, it could be held against you.

Pay attention to what the prospective employer is asking you to provide. For example, if they ask for a certain amount of years of work history in a job posting and you don't include all the jobs you held during that time period, it could also be held against you.

Lastly, when you sign a job application you are attesting to the fact that you have given the employer all the information they have asked for.

Here's an overview of what employers can check:

Your Employment History

1. Be sure that you provide accurate information on your job applications and resume.
2. Don't guess as to where you worked when. If you don't remember the details recreate your work history before you apply. If you're fuzzy on the dates, read: What If I Do Not Remember the Dates of a Previous Job?

What if you do not have the required work experience for the job:

Research the job and its requirements. Maybe you have what it requires to do the job but may lack in the experience department. Put that on a covering letter as to why you think you would be suitable for the job. Here's some further reading:

1. 3 Steps to Applying for a Job When You Don't Meet the Requirements
2. 8 Ways You Can Still Land an Interview When You Don't Meet All the Requirements
3. How To Sell Yourself When You Don’t Have Enough Experience

Lastly, what's most important?

The bottom line is that it's important to be truthful with all information that you supply to prospective employers.

If you're worried about what prior employers will say about you, you should proactively cultivate and supply positive recommendations to counter any potential negative feedback about your performance that might be uncovered as an employer checks on your employment background.

Let me know in the comments if you have any further questions and/or comments regarding the employee background checks.