During the job search process, your potential employer is likely to contact your former employer to verify your employment history. Employers typically exchange some basic information about your work history in addition to your name and title, but there are a number of misconceptions about what information can and cannot be exchanged.

Are You Eligible for Rehire?

One of the things a prospective new employer likely wants to know is whether your former employer would want you on its payroll again. For many employers, asking if you are eligible for rehire is a polite way of asking if you left on good terms. If your former employer would not consider hiring you again in the future, this could serve as a red flag to other employers.

Questions about Your Salary

According to the hospitality industry human resource company HCareers, your new employer will likely ask your former employer about your salary history during your employment. If you were employed for a number of years but did not receive any large increases, it could indicate that the company did not consider you a valuable resource. Numerous or large increases in salary, by contrast, could indicate that you are a superstar that the new company will be lucky to have on board.

Your Strengths and Weaknesses

Some employers may ask about your outstanding skills or notable weaknesses, especially if they are able to speak with your former direct manager. A prospective new employer can evaluate your strengths to see if they are a good fit for your potential new role, or if any weaknesses you exhibited could hinder your performance.

Anything Else?

Some employers will ask an open-ended question to gather any missing or important details. According to HCareers, an employment verification representative can simply ask if there is anything he should know. This question could garner input about your performance, your role on teams, your attendance and almost anything else a former employee considers noteworthy.