Previously, I made a video blog post about how to ace your background checks without hassle. Many of you told me you liked the video, and I received a lot of questions on this topic. So I decided to create a follow-up post for those who want to know more about the intricacies and how it works behind the scenes.

Another reason I decided to work on it is because I have been seeing an increasing frequency of online advice recommending people to actively lie on their resume saying there will be no consequences. Based on my professional experience observing close to 1,000 offers and background checks, this is dangerous advice that can cause immediate dismissal from your job or offer rescindment. My hope is that after reading this post, you will understand the risks involved more accurately so that you won’t have to find yourself in an unnecessary predicament.

1. It all depends on the employer.

Many of the questions I receive have to do with what information and how much informa...