Probably the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the term "background check" is looking up someone's criminal history. Although this is one part of background checks, background screens encompass a range of areas and offer diverse forms of information pertinent to an individual's past. The information screened can include a person's job history, financial history, and educational background, depending on the kind of employee background check you perform. A candidate's driving record may be screened in addition to their criminal history, which includes any arrests or convictions. Let's take a quick look at the most popular background checks and their applications.