What type of information is a typical employer looking for when they run a background check?

Normally they are looking for any criminal convictions and/or doing a credit check. Criminal records are public record, and can go back as long as you have been an adult. The credit check normally consists of pulling your credit report from the three bureaus and going over them. Employers are looking for stability and responsibility in both of these background checks.

If you have been convicted of a crime (in some cases even arrested for a crime, and not convicted) and did not disclose it on your application, you will not be hired if they find it. Normally, depending on the conviction, if you are up front about it, employers are willing to overlook them.

With the credit check, they are looking to see how responsible you are. If you have a lot of unpaid credit cards, a repo, or a bankruptcy, that may keep you from getting hired as well. I am in the accounting field, and they are especially strict for accountants in some companies.

Also, many companies check with the companies you have listed as "previous employers" to see if you really worked there or not, so don't lie about where you've worked and for how long.

Goes back to whatever activities you've got listed since you reached adulthood. Mainly arrest records.