How deep do pre-employment background checks/work history checks go?

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S N M

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I am trying to find a job, and am worried about explaining gaps in my employment history, as well as being unclear on dates I started/ended jobs in the past. How in depth do the pre-employment background checks and work history checks go?

I worked a few months when I was 19, then I moved in with my fiance, and was basically a "homemaker", as he did not want me to work. I just handle housekeeping, cooking, paying bills, running errands. This was 10 years ago, and in the past 10 years I have been a homemaker. The only job i've had is "self employment" (babysitting and cleaning houses). I did take a temp job for a couple months back in 2006. Other than that, and the job I hate in '99, nothing worth putting on an application. (Had a couple convenience store jobs over the years, but not long lasting, due to only having one car and having conflict with HIS hours.)

We now have a second vehicle, and I am DESPERATE to get a job outside the home! LOL

At least one place I am applying with does at extensive background check, including employment history and credit check.

I am wondering..

Can they verify the length of time you were employed with a company, and the EXACT dates? I called the restaurant I worked at back in '99 to get the exact dates of hire and leaving, but they say they do not keep records past a few years. So, i'm not sure what the date were! Will the companies doing the background checks be able to find the info even so? If I just guess that the dates, will that look horrible?

Also, any advice as to how I should explain the huge employment gaps.

This is so complicated, any advice appreciated!
 
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