Your high school education is important, and many employers will require at least a high school diploma or a GED before you are eligible for many entry-level jobs. You may also need a high school education and diploma before you are eligible to pursue higher education, such as certifications and college degrees. Employers do verify high school diplomas, though this isn’t as common as college diploma verifications, and it’s important to know how your employer might access this information. Our article gives you all the details you need to know.
Does High School Education Show On Background Checks?
High school education, like other forms of education and professional certification, has the potential to show up on a background check or on a report when someone uses a free people search. No matter how old the high school education is, it can still appear years later as people search for details, or if you submit an in-depth background check to an employer. If you did not finish high school and instead received a GED at some point, this information may also be available on your background check report.
How Will My Employer Verify My High School Diploma?
There are a few different ways that employers can verify your high school diploma. We list these methods below, and you should keep in mind that employers will generally need to inform you and obtain your consent before they conduct any kind of background check on you.
1. Contacting the School Directly
One of the most effective ways that employers use to verify high school diplomas is to contact the school directly. As you submit an employment application, you may be asked to input your high school’s details, such as name and phone number. The employer can then use this information to reach out and verify your graduation information.
2. Requesting a Diploma Copy
Another common way that an employer might verify your high school diploma is by requesting that you provide them with a copy of your diploma or your high school transcripts that indicate graduation. You can take a photocopy or show your high school diploma to your employer, depending on what they want.
3. Third-Party Background Check Services
Third-party background check services are services that an employer uses to double-check information of potential employees. If an employer uses a third-party background check service to verify your information, they will either contact you or the high school directly for details that ensure you have your high school diploma.
Will My Employers Always Check My High School Diploma?
Your high school education is important, and this basic degree is generally a requirement for most jobs, including jobs that may not require a college education. However, employers may not always check for your high school diploma based on a few different factors. First, if you have other college degrees and professional certifications, it’s not likely that an employer will check your high school diploma, though it is possible.
After you have many years of job and education experience, it is also less likely that employers will investigate your high school education information as well. That being said if you are applying for an intensive education program or a job that requires an in-depth background check, your high school diploma information may be accessed.
Always speak with your employers and double-check employment applications to know which information is required.
Ensuring Your Information is Correct
Once you graduate high school and start looking for a job or start the process of enrolling in higher education, it’s important to keep all of your documents and resumes updated. As you apply for your very first jobs, employers may ask for the details of your high school diploma or GED to ensure that you have completed these basic education requirements.
While you aren’t likely to always be asked for this information once you have more experience and education under your belt, it’s always a good idea to keep your high school diploma information on hand in case you need it.
