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80% of employers run background checks according CareerBuilder.com

I was laid off back in 2009 and decided to be my own boss instead of looking for another job.  But I enjoyed my former career and occasionally still look for a position in the field.  As a result I still have an account on CareerBuilder.  And I still get their emails on occasion.
I was surprised to get one of CareerBuilder's emails stating that "80% of employers run backgroudn checks".  I knew that many employers ran background checks but 80%?  That's huge.

What does 80% mean to you?

The way I look at it, if 80% of employers are running background checks there's a reason.  According to Wikipedia :

They [Background Checks] are frequently conducted to confirm information found on an employment application or resume/curriculum vitae. One study showed that half of all reference checks done on prospective employees differed between what the job applicant provided and what the source reported. They may also be conducted as a way to further differentiate potential employees and pick the one the employer feels is best suited for the position. As workplace violence becomes more of an issue and other serious concerns since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, employers are becoming more concerned about the people they hire. Employers have an obligation to make sure their work environment is safe for all employees and helps prevent other employment problems in the workplace. ... Checks are also required for those working in positions with special security concerns, such as trucking, ports of entry, and airports (including airline transportation). Other laws exist to prevent those who do not pass a criminal check from working in careers involving the elderly, disabled, or children.

So now we know why employers run background checks but why should you?

According to ABC News Background Checks often contain errors:

Ryan Brandt thought his criminal history was behind him. A judge in 2005 allowed him to expunge his record for a 1995 battery conviction.

But when he recently applied to work as a manager of an Arby's restaurant in Mariniette, Wis., he claims in a federal lawsuit, he was denied the job because his expunged record came up on a criminal background check.

Brandt eventually settled for lower paying job. "I was trying to get a better job and move up. I thought it was all behind me," he said of his conviction. "That basically cost me a job."

...Criminal justice experts say it is common for people to lose jobs because of those inaccuracies. "We're building a system that creates a scarlet letter that can never be removed," said Robert Sykora of the Minnesota Board of Public Defense, which oversees the state's public defenders.

CareerBuilder recommends a Background Check so you can...

• Find out what's on your background
• Be sure your record is accurate before employers find the mistakes
• Stand out from other candidates by showing employers you're screened and ready to go

I can tell you firsthand that there are often errors in both your background and credit reports. Only you know all of your past history and only you can insure that the errors on your background are fixed. It is crucial that you know your background check is accurate.  Especially if you've ever had a criminal record expunged.  
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