Verifying a potential employee’s past employment history is something most companies want to do. In fact, it’s probably the most basic sort of background check in the business world. Even before comprehensive background checks came into wide usage, verifying the job history of a potential hire was a must.

At its best, talking to former employers can give you extensive information on what kind of an employee your applicant has been in the past. Of course, few companies will give out this kind of detailed information anymore, as there are many privacy and legal concerns. It's more common now for companies to give out the dates of employment and job titles. If you're lucky, you may discover whether that employee is eligible for re-hire. However, even this little bit of information can help you by verifying the truthfulness of a potential employee and letting you know whether he left his former jobs under favorable circumstances.