When employers are doing background checks what exactly do they find out?

[Daphne]

Do they find out my academic background? Even college? I'm applying in retail.

[Bryce]

Yes they will check your academic background they will also check to see if you have a criminal record

[Fustercluck]

Your work, education, and criminal history.

[michr]

The "background check" that most employers in general, and retailers in particular, do is a criminal background check, they use a third party "consumer reporting agency" that reports public records based on your name, aliases, address, former addresses, date of birth, social security number and state ID (drivers license) number.
These public records include criminal information, state or federal licenses/certifications, court settlements, etcetera...
Public Records do NOT include school records or employment records.....

Many of these consumer reporting agencies offer a service that includes checking references, school records, etcetera but they charge a lot more for that service and most employers do NOT pay for that...

MOST likely they will NOT check your education records and probably do NOT care unless you are applying for a management position or corporate position that requires a degree such as business/HR/marketing…