Getting Through a Background Check

What to do when a job offer depends on a record check.

A background check can feel like the moment everything gets decided. It helps to go in prepared instead of hoping nothing shows up.

This guide covers three practical steps: see your own record first, decide whether to share some context, and follow up. It's practical information, not legal advice. What an employer can ask, what each type of check shows and whether you have to disclose are legal questions. For those, see the official sources at the bottom of this page and the guide on telling employers about a record.

In short: Know what's on your record before an employer does. Decide ahead of time how you'll talk about it. Follow up so the employer hears from you, not just from a report.

Two Ways to Go Into a Check

Hoping it slides: you sign the form, say nothing and wait.

Going in prepared: you know what's on your record, you've decided how you'll talk about it, and you stay in touch with the employer.

Step 1: See Your Own Record First

Before an employer sees your record, it helps to see it yourself. You'll know exactly what's there, and you can spot anything that looks wrong.

• In Ontario, you can ask for a police record check from the police service where you live, including the OPP, or in some cases through an authorized provider.

• If you have a record, you'll usually need a fingerprint-based check rather than a quick online name check.

• Fees and wait times vary. Check with the police service or provider before you go.

• Ontario's police record checks page explains that results are released to you first, so you can make sure they're correct before you agree to share them.

If something looks wrong, such as a wrong date or an outcome you don't recognize, ask the police service how to correct it, and talk to your lawyer or a legal clinic.

Step 2: Decide Whether to Share Some Context

Some people give the employer a short letter along with their consent form. Others prefer to talk in person, or to say nothing unless they're asked. There's no single right answer. It depends on the job, the type of check and your situation.

If you write a letter, it can say what the employer may see and what you've done since. Keep it to one page. Context, not confession.

If your charges are still before the court, or you're unsure what to put in writing, talk to your lawyer first.

Something you might say: "Before you run the check, I want to be upfront. There's something on my record. I've written a short letter with some context, and I'm happy to answer any questions."

Step 3: Follow Up

After you sign the form, a short call or email a few days later keeps the conversation open.

What you might say: "Hi (name), I'm following up on my application. I know the background check is in progress. I wanted to make sure you got my letter, and to say I'm happy to answer any questions."

Why it can help: the employer hears from you directly, and it shows you're comfortable talking about your past and focused on the job.

Heads Up

Things to watch for. Hoping it slides: signing and staying silent leaves the employer to fill in the blanks. Oversharing: a context letter isn't your whole life story. One page, focused on what you've done since. Not checking first: if you haven't seen your own record, you don't know what the employer will see. If you can, fix errors before you apply.

Links

Ontario: police record checks (types of checks, where to get one, seeing your results first) — https://www.ontario.ca/page/police-record-checks

RCMP: who can do a fingerprint-based criminal record check — rcmp.ca/en/criminal-records/criminal-record-checks/private-fingerprinting-companies-accredited-rcmp

Steps to Justice: plain-language legal information for Ontario — https://stepstojustice.ca

Grey Bruce Community Legal Clinic, Owen Sound — https://www.gblegalclinic.com

Not sure where to start? Book a free 15-minute call: https://calendly.com/theunpolishedpath/discovery-call

Information on this page is general information. It is not legal advice, therapy or medical treatment.

Tools for the check

Two printable tools, and a free call if you’d like to talk it through.